Madmoderen Bergværks Aktieselskab Railway
| Length: | Starts: | Ends: | Status: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 km | Jorden | Lastepladsen | Abandoned |
The narrow-gauged mine railway in Lofoten was 4.4 kilometres long and transported iron ore between Jorden and Lastepladsen. It was connected to a 900-metre long funicular system from the mine in the mountain Matmora to Jorden. The line was in operation between 1905 and 1912.
Remains of railway wagon at Lastepladsen Station. Photo: Ukjent/Lofotmuseets bildesamling
Austrian Ownership
In the beginning of 1907 an Austrian company took over. They started mining in the valley Rangeldalen instead, situated one kilometre south of Jernhammaren. Most of the railway corridor from Lastepladsen was reused, but the track gauge was increased to 1,067 millimetres. Two steam engines were purchased and locomotive sheds were built at Jorden and Lastepladsen as well as a new quay with railway tracks. The new route was 4.4 kilometres long.
Funiculars
The ore was first transported by cable car down the steep mountainside before it was loaded on railway wagons. In 1908 three connecting funiculars were built between the mine and the loading ramp at Jorden. These had a total length of 900 metres with an 1,067-millimetre track gauge. Since the maximum gradient was 66 per cent, the wagons were equipped with strong brakes.
Closure
The Austrians estimated to produce several million tons of ore, but the result was only 7,414 tons. Mining terminated in May 1909 and the company closed down in 1912. One locomotive and several railway wagons were sold to a concrete plant in Brevik and used on the Brevik Line.