The LKAB in Sweden

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I don't usually get into European stuff (it's usually so... nice), but the LKAB in Sweden? Yeah, the IORE could get it.

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Those IORE units are cool looking.

I wonder what they'd look like with can openers... hmm.

[Scottl]

The Kiruna-Narvik line is spectacular, especially the descent into Narvik on the Norwegian coast.  They call it the "Old Naavy Line" and is a remarkable piece of railroad engineering.  I spent a week near the summit on the border in autumn 2007 and travelled the line on the passenger service.  Amazing place in fall foliage.  Still have a bag of the taconite balls I scooped up.




The view from Abisko station:

[svedblen]

They call it the "Old Naavy Line"

I don’t say you are wrong but I wonder who calls it that? And what is Naavy? I never heard this before, so just curious. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

I saw there's a set of these coming from Rocco in HO. If it weren't $400 it'd be fun to get em and sneak them onto @Hiroe 's Freemo rig.

[Scottl]

I don’t say you are wrong but I wonder who calls it that? And what is Naavy? I never heard this before, so just curious. 

The "Naavies" were the laborers that toiled to build the line.  I can't recall their origin.  I have a small book I bought at the tourist shop in Narvik but can't find it now.

[svedblen]

The "Naavies" were the laborers that toiled to build the line.

A Norwegian variant of ’navvy’?

There is an amazing number of things to learn! Every day. Even on TRW 

[Scottl]

You are right! 

https://www.visitnorway.com/listings/rallarveien-the-navvy-road/172694/

[Missaberoad]

Navigational engineers  neat how the term Navvy was used all over...

I love when foreign railways have the industrial heft that we usually associate with our own.
And iron ore roads always get a big thumbs up. 

@Scottl Nice shots! That shot of Abisko looks like it could be North of Lake Superior!

[basementcalling]

So, @Ed Kapuscinski , a prototype someone else should model?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So, @Ed Kapuscinski , a prototype someone else should model?

If they like an electrified conveyor belt.

It's kinda like the EBT. Beautiful, but operationally boring.

[Missaberoad]

If they like an electrified conveyor belt.

It's kinda like the EBT. Beautiful, but operationally boring.

The problem with most modern iron ore roads, through freight and lack of variety...
Would be great for a "Railfans layout".

[Scottl]

When I was there, there was frequent passenger service (remember, this is northern Sweden), container trains and some other freight trains.  It was pretty busy.  But I agree, even the passenger trains only stopped at a few places over a 4 hour trip.

[peteski]

If they like an electrified conveyor belt.

It's kinda like the EBT. Beautiful, but operationally boring.

Unless you like roundy-round. Some people don't care for switching puzzles, and instead like to watch the trails rolling around the layout.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

In that case, it's awesome.

But my experience is that that quickly gets boring.

It's the "purpose" and interaction that gives our layouts longevity after they start looking "done".

[Hiroe]

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

I saw there's a set of these coming from Rocco in HO. If it weren't $400 it'd be fun to get em and sneak them onto @Hiroe 's Freemo rig.

I mean, I do have about 90 PRR/PC/CR ore jennies, and a number of E33's/E44's to haul them with.

Also one of our other members is working on an ABBA of custom E60CF locos, using Atlas drive components in custom frames.