Historic trams, modern drivers, industry partners and a shared passion for tramways came together for a very special event in Malmköping.
On 5 September 2026, something special happened at the Tramway Museum in Malmköping, Sweden. For the first time, the Swedish Tramway Society (Svenska Spårvägssällskapet) organised the Swedish Tram Driving Championship, bringing together professional tram drivers from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Norrköping to compete for the national title.
But this was about much more than finding Sweden’s best tram drivers. It was about bringing together the past, present and future of tramways, creating new connections between the heritage sector and the modern transport industry, and opening the doors of a living museum to an audience that might otherwise never have discovered it.
Modern Skills, Historic Trams
The championship offered an interesting challenge. Professional drivers, accustomed to operating modern trams in busy urban environments, were invited to demonstrate their skills using historic vehicles.
Precision, judgement, vehicle handling and professional knowledge were put to the test. While technology has changed enormously over the decades, many of the fundamental skills required to operate a tram remain remarkably familiar.
The competition brought plenty of excitement, friendly rivalry and enthusiasm from participants and spectators alike.
Stockholm took home the first Swedish championship title, while Gothenburg and Norrköping finished on exactly the same points, sharing second place.
Yet perhaps the greatest success was not measured in points or trophies. It was seeing modern tramway professionals engage with historic vehicles, exchange experiences with museum volunteers and discover the remarkable history behind the profession they practise today.
Reaching Beyond Our Traditional Heritage Audience
For heritage organisations, one of the ongoing challenges is reaching people beyond our established community of enthusiasts and supporters.
The Swedish Tram Driving Championship demonstrated how a different approach can create new opportunities.
By organising a contemporary professional competition in a historic environment, the Swedish Tramway Society introduced the Tramway Museum in Malmköping to a much wider audience, including professional drivers, transport operators, industry representatives, families and visitors who might not normally consider visiting a tramway museum.
Throughout the day, visitors could enjoy historic tram rides, meet people working in the tramway sector, explore the museum and experience a range of activities for all ages.
It also provided an opportunity to highlight the extraordinary work taking place in Malmköping, where volunteers maintain and operate historic vehicles, preserve technical knowledge and keep an important part of Sweden’s public transport history alive.
The museum, which has been awarded the title of Swedish Working Life Museum of the Year 2026, is a wonderful example of how industrial heritage can remain relevant, accessible and very much alive.
Industry Partnerships Made It Possible
An event of this scale requires considerably more than enthusiasm. It takes planning, resources, volunteers and, importantly, partners who believe in the value of connecting heritage with today’s transport industry.
The Swedish Tramway Society was fortunate to receive fantastic support from its sponsors and partners, including: Rolfsen & Son, ROCKWOOL Rockdelta, HS Construction, Stadler and Spårvagnsstäderna.
Their contributions helped make the championship possible and created an opportunity to bring the modern tramway industry directly into a heritage environment.
These partnerships are particularly valuable because they go beyond financial support. They demonstrate that historic tramways and modern industry have much to offer each other.
For companies working with today’s tramway systems, heritage provides an opportunity to connect with the origins of their industry, understand the development of technology and meet people whose knowledge and enthusiasm help preserve that history.
For heritage organisations, engagement with industry can open doors to new expertise, technical solutions, resources and long-term relationships.
It is a reminder that our sector should not exist in isolation from the industry whose history we are preserving.
The People Behind the Event
Behind the championship was an enormous amount of voluntary work.
Organising a major event while continuing to operate a historic tramway requires considerable commitment, coordination and teamwork. Volunteers were involved in everything from preparing vehicles and infrastructure to organising the competition, welcoming visitors and ensuring that the day ran smoothly.
This is one of the great strengths of the heritage railway and tramway community. People contribute their time, experience and skills because they believe that this history deserves to be preserved and shared.
Events such as this also create opportunities for different generations to work together, learn from one another and develop a stronger connection with the wider transport sector.
The enthusiasm and professionalism shown by everyone involved demonstrated what can be achieved when volunteers, professional operators and industry partners work towards a common goal.
A Model for Connecting Heritage and the Future
There is an important lesson here for the wider European heritage community.
We often discuss how to attract new visitors, engage younger generations, build relationships with industry and demonstrate the relevance of our activities in a rapidly changing world.
The Swedish Tram Driving Championship offers one possible answer: create opportunities for people to experience heritage through something that connects directly with their own interests, professions and everyday lives.
A historic tramway does not have to be presented only as a place to discover the past. It can also be a place for professional exchange, innovation, education, community engagement and new partnerships.
By bringing a modern competition into a historic setting, the Swedish Tramway Society created an event where heritage was not simply something to look at. It became an active part of the experience.
And that is perhaps the most exciting aspect of the whole initiative.
Heritage is not just about preserving what once existed. It is about creating meaningful connections between what came before, what we do today and what we want to carry into the future.
The first Swedish Tram Driving Championship showed just how much can happen when we bring those worlds together.
Congratulations to Stockholm on becoming Sweden’s first tram driving champions, and a huge thank you to all the drivers, volunteers, organisers, sponsors, partners and visitors who made the day possible.
Hopefully, this is only the beginning of a new tradition!
By: Mimmi Mickelsen, FEDECRAIL President
