We’ve received the operating permit from the Danish Transport Authority and will be running the Peat Railway again during the school summer holidays. We’re currently training new volunteers and hope to announce some departures before the holidays as well. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page.
A Journey into an Industrial Adventure
The Mosebrug Peat Railway follows the same tracks that were once used when the factory was operational. These days, however, we don’t go all the way out to Fuglsømose, but instead turn around at Horsmosen, which lies somewhat closer. With diesel fumes in your nose, the rhythm of the wheels, and the slowly passing landscape, it’s easy to imagine yourself back in the industrial era of the Second World War, when peat stacks stood shoulder to shoulder as far as the eye could see. Back then, peat work required every pair of hands it could get, and the working days were long, hard and gruelling.
Today, there’s no heavy physical labour awaiting you at the end of the line – instead, there’s a chance to spot cranes, sea eagles, and large herds of red deer that roam the area. So hop aboard the Peat Railway and enjoy the two-kilometre ride through beautiful nature to the bog, following in the footsteps of the peat workers of the past. Along the way, you’d be quite unlucky not to spot either deer, kites, or cranes.
Wagon Types and Locomotives
Over time, many different locomotives have run on the tracks at the Stenvad Peat Works. The first were Ford A-type engines, while the two currently active locomotives were built at the Pedershaab Machine Factory and are powered by their own Deutz engines. One of the original Ford A locomotives is also on display inside the exhibition.
Historically, both tipping wagons and open goods wagons – the so-called “klyne wagons” – were used. The tipping wagons carried loose peat, while the klyne wagons transported cut blocks of sphagnum moss into Stenvad. The tracks, wagons, and locomotives were all maintained by the factory’s resident blacksmith, who had his workshop on site.
The tracks led the wagons into the building on both ground floor and first floor level, making it easy to unload the peat material into the waiting freight wagons of the Gjerrild railway. That line had a siding directly into the Stenvad Peat Works.
Speed and Efficiency
Closest to the factory, the tracks were laid on a properly constructed railway embankment – especially noticeable when the train crosses the dam over the Ørum stream. Out in the bog, however, the rails were more temporary and laid directly on the ground. It has been described how the track would lift both in front of and behind the moving train. The locomotives rarely ran faster than 10–15 km/h, but their stability and ability to haul heavy loads over long distances made them invaluable. The slow speed was also a necessity in the soft and often unstable bog terrain, where faster travel could lead to accidents or damage to the track.
Drama and Challenges
Working with the narrow-gauge railways wasn’t without its dramas. It was not unusual for trains to encounter problems in the difficult terrain. Did locomotives and wagons sink into the bog? Yes, they did. The wet and unstable bog surface could suddenly give way, and heavy loads could cause wagons to sink into the soft ground. Recovering a sunken locomotive or wagon required both time and effort – and could be quite a dramatic experience for the workers.
There was also a constant risk of fire. Sparks from the locomotive engines could ignite the dry peat or sphagnum, leading to dangerous situations. The fire hazard meant that workers always had to stay alert and be ready to extinguish flames before they spread.
An Important Part of History
The narrow-gauge railways in the Danish bogs are an important part of our industrial heritage. They represent a time when human ingenuity and hard work made it possible to utilise natural resources in spite of challenging conditions. These railways – and the people who worked on them – helped shape both the landscape and society.
Visit us to learn more about the fascinating history of the narrow-gauge railways, and experience how these small trains played a big role in the peat and sphagnum industries.