A journey to Sweden, 1989: Skellefteå, with a few cranks

Deutsche Version dieses Postings

In order to reach Skellefteå, we had to travel on the Norrlandban for a short distance to Bastuträsk:

Norrlandsbanan, 22.7.1989

At Bastuträsk, we saw this interesting locomotive:

SJ Tb 287, Bastuträsk, 22.7.1989

When this type was ordered, it was designated for snow ploughing, and therefore it was equipped with a central pivot so that it could be turned by 180° at any place. The pivoting foot could be lowered hydraulically onto the rails (which must increase the pressure on the ties considerably):

SJ Tb 287, Bastuträsk, 22.7.1989

The interlocking frame at Skellefteå still had its original cranks in place, however, the points had already gotten electric points machines which were controlled from a small panel mounted on top of the frame. The cranks were, it seems, still used to lock the points with the route levers:

Interlocking frame, Skellefteå, 22.7.1989

Interlocking frame, Skellefteå, 22.7.1989

Interlocking frame, Skellefteå, 22.7.1989

Interlocking frame, Skellefteå, 22.7.1989

Why the four routes were distributed on three route levers instead of two, I do not know (maybe there had been more tracks for train routes in earlier times):

Interlocking frame, Skellefteå, 22.7.1989

Finally, here is a picture of the station building, taking from the train leaving on the next morning. The train director is busy at the interlocking:

Station building, Skellefteå, 23.7.1989