Oxbron’s Railway Watchman’s Cottage

At the beginning of the century, a new invention had arrived: trains. Initially, they were pulled by horses and were not much faster than traditional horse-drawn wagons. However, with the invention of the steam engine and its application in various machines, someone realized that a locomotive could also be powered by steam—and everything changed.
 

During the second half of the 19th century, railways began to spread across Bergslagen.
In 1859, the railway between Ludvika and Smedjebacken was opened. Soon, a railway was built from Stockholm via Västerås and Köping, branching out to Ängelsberg and further up to Kärrgruvan.
To ensure that everything ran smoothly and that trains remained on schedule, railway cottages were built along the tracks.
The first cottages were very small, with just a tiny entrance hall and one room, intended only for unmarried railway watchmen.
However, after multiple complaints, slightly larger cottages were built starting in 1862, designed to accommodate entire families. These included an outbuilding that could house two cows and a pig.
 

OXBRON’S RAILWAY WATCHMAN – PUNCTUAL AND ATTENTIVE
The first section of the Köping-Uttersberg-Riddarhyttan railway opened in 1866, passing through Oxbron. Like other railways, several railway watchmen’s cottages were built along the route, where the watchmen and their families lived.
The railway cottage in Oxbron was built in December 1904.
 

The railway watchman was responsible for monitoring signals and maintaining his designated section of the railway with punctuality and attention to detail. Each day, he had to inspect the tracks to ensure there were no faults. He also had to prevent unauthorized people or animals from entering the railway area.
When a train passed, the railway watchman was required by regulations to “stand by the track, ensuring it is clear, facing the train with eyes fixed on it, holding the rolled-up signal flags at his side, as if `presenting arms.`” He was not allowed to leave the station until the last train of the day had passed.
The watchman’s wife could earn a small fee by operating the gates at the road crossing.
A stop was established next to the cottage in 1932 and remained in use until passenger service was discontinued 20 years later. The last freight train passed through in 1966.
However, Oxbron’s railway watchman’s cottage has been preserved and now serves as a small museum.
 

When iron production became increasingly centralized, maintaining a railway here was no longer profitable. Large industries outcompeted the smaller ironworks, and many railways were shut down.
Today, many former railway embankments have been transformed into beautiful walking trails.
 

Facts
One of the few preserved railway watchmen’s cottages.
The well-preserved setting includes not only the cottage but also a larger outbuilding with a woodshed, an outhouse, and a washhouse. The foundations of the railway bridge also remain.