Steam trains, railbuses, new generations and shared challenges brought Sweden’s heritage railway community together for an inspiring weekend.
On 3–4 October, more than 40 representatives from heritage railway organisations across Sweden gathered in Skåne for the Annual General Meeting of Museibanornas Riksorganisation (MRO), the Swedish national association for heritage railways and a member of FEDECRAIL.
The weekend offered a wonderful combination of historic railway experiences, discussions, knowledge sharing and, perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to meet people who share a passion for keeping railway heritage alive.
Starting the Weekend with Steam in Brösarp
The weekend began with a visit to the heritage railway in Brösarp, where participants enjoyed a journey behind a historic steam locomotive and had the opportunity to learn more about the railway and its activities.
Visiting another heritage railway is always valuable. Although our organisations face many similar challenges, each railway has its own traditions, technical solutions and experiences to share. It is also a reminder that preserving railway heritage is not simply about maintaining vehicles and infrastructure, but about keeping the knowledge and skills behind them alive.
The programme then continued in Kristianstad with the MRO Annual General Meeting, followed by discussions and exchanges between member organisations.
Sharing Experiences and Looking Ahead
An important part of the weekend was dedicated to hearing from member railways about their recent operating seasons, sharing experiences and discussing how MRO can continue to develop as a network for cooperation and mutual support.
Sunday’s programme focused on the future of heritage railways, including volunteering, membership recruitment, social media and how to reach new audiences. Discussions also explored how heritage railways can develop as visitor attractions while preserving their unique identity and historical character.
One particularly encouraging aspect was the presence of younger participants and many new faces. Attracting new generations and creating opportunities for them to become involved is essential for the long-term future of our organisations.
The programme also addressed preparedness and civil defence, raising questions about the potential role of heritage railways, their infrastructure and their specialist technical knowledge in a changing society.
Connecting Sweden with the European Heritage Community
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss FEDECRAIL’s work and the importance of European cooperation.
Many of the challenges facing Swedish heritage railways are shared across Europe. Whether we are discussing volunteers, technical expertise, regulations or the future of operational heritage, there is much to gain from exchanging knowledge and experiences beyond national borders.
Through organisations such as MRO and FEDECRAIL, we can connect local experiences with a wider European perspective and strengthen our collective voice.
Beyond the formal programme, the weekend was filled with conversations, new connections and a shared enthusiasm for railway heritage. Seeing both experienced members and a younger generation taking part was particularly inspiring.
A warm thank you to everyone involved in organising the weekend, our hosts in Brösarp and all the participants who contributed to such a successful gathering.
By: Mimmi Mickelsen, FEDECRAIL President
