The Northern Lights Train

We welcome you to Narvik, and the Northern lights train. As we begin our trip, we’d like to give you a little introduction to the area we’re traveling through. Narvik is located 200 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, at 68 degrees north. This is the gateway to the Arctic, and we’re in one of the best places on Earth to witness the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis is most commonly visible between latitudes 65 and 71 degrees north, making Narvik an optimal spot for this amazing natural phenomenon. As we travel further into this incredible landscape, we’ll also pass the Hålogaland Bridge, which opened in 2018. At 1533 meters long, it’s the second longest suspension bridge in Norway, connecting Narvik to the surrounding regions and symbolizing the modern development of this Arctic community. Narvik itself is home to around 14,000 people, but when you include the surrounding areas of the Narvik Municipality, the population grows to about 21,000. Despite it’s quite small size, Narvik has a rich history and a global significance. Founded in the late 19th century, Narvik quickly became known for its deep-water port, which remains ice-free year round. This port was, and still is, vital for shipping, particularly in the export of iron ore from Sweden, one of the largest and most productive iron ore sources in the world. However, Narvik’s story isn’t just about trade—it’s also deeply tied to the events of World War II. In 1940, the town became a major battleground during the Battle of Narvik, as German and Allied forces fought over control of the strategic port. Today, the town stands as a peaceful and thriving community, but its wartime history is still evident in the many museums and memorials.

The Ofoten Line, which connects Narvik to Sweden, is one of Norway's most scenic and remarkable routes, linking the Arctic region to the rest of Scandinavia. This particullary line is actually not connected to the rest of the Norwegian railroad system. The need for this railway started in the 1600s, when iron-rich ore fields were discovered in the north of Sweden, particularly in Kiruna. These fields are among the largest iron ore reserves in the world. However, shipping the ore from the Swedish wilderness was a challenge. Reindeer, horse and boats were used until the industrial revolution created a huge demand for iron in Europe. With the invention of the steam locomotive in the 1800s, the concept of a railway to Narvik began to take shape. Narvik's ice-free harbor, heated by the Gulf Stream, made it an ideal location for shipping, as the waters never freeze. Construction of the railway began in the late 1800s, led by an English company, and was completed and officially opened on July 14, 1903. The project was one of the most extreme engineering feats in Norwegian history, with workers facing harsh climates, the winter storms, and using only the tools that was available at the time. By 1923, the railway was electrified, and by the 1960s, it became the first in Norway to be fully automated, using some of the most powerful electric locomotives in the world.

Now let’s talk about The Northern Lights. The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a stunning natural light display seen in the polar regions of the Earth. They occur when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. Here's how it works: The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, occur when charged particles from the sun come into contact with molecules in our atmosphere.  It all starts with the sun throwing off massive amounts of plasma – known as a solar storm – that stream towards Earth at speeds up to 8 million km/h. Later, when the solar wind reaches Earth, it interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field. This field is strongest near the poles (both North and South), which is why the Northern and Southern Lights are usually seen closer to these regions. In the end, The charged particles from the solar wind collide with the gases in Earth's atmosphere, primarily oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions release energy in the form of light, creating the beautiful, colourful displays we see as the Northern Lights. Oxygen creates green light and in rare occasions red light and these are the most common colours. Nitrogen creates pink light, helium and hydrogen creates blue and purple light. So, how can we see the Northen lights then? For the Northern Lights to appear, we need three key elements: Number 1, Darkness , the less external lights you have, the clearer you MIGHT see the lights. Number 2, Clear Skies – Cloud cover can hide the magic, but the weather changes fast in the Arctic, and a cloudy sky in one moment can produce an opening with northern lights shining through just moments later. Number 3, Solar activity – Low solar activity will not give you the best chances to see the bright colours, high activity can produce spectacular shows in the sky. You might wonder if you can predict when the Northern Lights will appear? And yes, of course, it will be at 9:15 this evening. Just kidding. While scientists can’t predict exactly when and where the Northern Lights will appear, they can give you a good idea based on solar activity. Apps and websites that track solar wind, geomagnetic storms, and aurora forecasts can help you to find the best time and place to see the lights. Keep in mind, the lights depend on solar activity, so they are more likely to appear during periods of increased solar flares or storms. The duration of the Northern Lights can be very different. Sometimes they may last for only a few minutes, while other times they can last for several hours. The auroras often come and go in waves.

Guests often ask, When is the best time to see the Northern Lights? Of course during the winter months - from September to early April. The lights can appear at any time during the night. So as long as you have a dark and clear sky, your chances are good. Did you know that we have 2 different Auroras? They are both polar lights, but the main difference is their location: Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, are seen primarily in high-latitude regions like Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Russia and parts of Canada and Alaska. Aurora Australis (the Southern Lights) - they can be seen near the South Pole and in parts of  Australia and New Zealand. We are often asked: Can you photograph the Northern Lights? Yes! The Northern Lights are a popular subject for photography. The easiest way to photograph it, would be to turn on the night mode on your mobile camera application. The Northern Lights are an incredible natural phenomenon, but it’s important to understand that what you see in photos isn’t exactly what you'll see with your own eyes. In pictures, the lights are often captured with long-exposure cameras that bring out all the colours and details - especially the bright greens, purples, and reds. But when you look at the light in person, the colours might not be as vibrant. In reality, the Northern Lights often appear much fainter to the human eye, like a long-fainted cloud in the sky. However, depending on the strength of the solar activity it is possible to see very strong shows with your own eyes! Our eyes can see a range of colours, but due to the way we process light,  green is the most noticeable colour in the Aurora. Colors like red, purple, or blue are harder to see unless the display is very strong, and even then, it’s still not as colourful as photos show.

You might also be interested that throughout history, cultures from all over the Arctic have found meaning in the Northern Lights. Long before science explained this phenomenon, the northern peoples told their own stories that have inspired many myths and legends throughout history. Here are a few interesting ones: In the Norse Mythology, The Vikings believed the Northern Lights were a sign of approval from the Gods. They saw the lights as the “Bifrost Bridge,” a glowing pathway leading fallen warriors to Valhalla. Some also thought the lights were the reflections of Valkyries' armour, guiding warriors into battle. In the Sami culture, the Northern Lights were powerful, spiritual beings. They believed these lights represented the souls of the deceased. However, they also had strict taboos—never whistle, sing, or dance in the presence of the Aurora, or you risk angering these spirits and being whisked away. Even today, they could scare children by saying the Northern Lights would come and take them away if they dared to whistled at it

In Finland, the lights are called “Firefoxes.” According to legend, the Northern Lights are caused by arctic foxes running across the tundra, sweeping its tail through the snow and creating sparks that lit up the sky and transforming it into the beautiful colours of the Aurora. For Swedish fishermen, sightings of the aurora were considered a good omen. They believed the lights were reflections from vast schools of herring swimming nearby. Rather than something to fear, the northern lights were celebrated as a promise of good fortune and an abundant catch. In Iceland, auroras were also welcomed, though for a very different reason. They were once believed to ease the pain of childbirth. However, expectant mothers were warned not to look directly at the northern lights, as legend held that doing so would cause the child to be born cross-eyed The Inuit and other Arctic communities: To them, the Northern Lights are the spirits of the departed, dancing in the sky to communicate with the living. The lights are a form of spiritual connection, a bridge between the Earth and the divine. They would often celebrate the Northern Lights with songs and dances, believing it was a way to communicate with their loved ones who had passed away. These myths reflect how different cultures have tried to explain the beauty and mystery of the Northern Lights throughout history. And even today, there's something about the aurora that words cannot fully capture - a quiet kind of magic that stirs something deep in us. So, no matter what, enjoy the journey, stay warm, stay hopeful, and let’s see what the night brings.

Now we will have a short stop for a crossing train, the Iron Ore train will pass on your right side. Those trains transport iron ore from Kiruna to Narvik, with about 12 trains per day carrying up to 27 million tons of ore annually. Each train is 750 meters long, and carries 6800 tons—the equivalent of almost 5 Eiffel Towers every day.  Iron ore is the raw material used to make pig iron, which is one of the primary raw materials to make steel. The iron ore in northern Sweden was formed by volcanic eruptions. The color of iron ore can range from a deep red to a dark gray or black, but the most common color associated with iron ore is a deep red or reddish-brown. The extensive underground mining operation in Kiruna, which produces 80% of the iron ore within the European Union, has created a large deformation zone expanding by approximately 30 meters each year. It creeps ever closer to the city and causes the ground to subside, which required the city to move. Did you know that Residents affected by relocation are given two choices: they can either accept a new home built to match their original one in the new city center or, if technically possible, they can have their entire house physically moved to the new location. So far, approximately 6,000 people have already had to move from the old, unsafe parts of the city to a newly constructed centre in Kiruna. In addition to ore from mining, the railway also transports consumer goods northward. Around 90 percent of the groceries sold in the stores in the North Norway are brought to the region via the Ofoten Line. Each year, 65,000 containers are transported in and out of Narvik by rail. In the opposite direction, 120,000 tons of fish are currently shipped by train from Narvik.

We are now heading toward Katterat Station, where we’ll have our main stop for the evening. Katterat is a popular starting point for hiking the famuous Rallar road, witch the navvies used under the construction of the railway. From here you can also embark on longer hikes into the Narvik Mountains. The Rallar road is a popular trail that can take you down to Rombaksbotn, once a small town with two farmsteads that developed into a lively and urban community for the rallar people under the construction period. Around the year 1900 this was a very busy town with 70 to 80 buildings and nearly 500 residents that were a part of creating one of Norway’s most important railway lines. The town even had its own hotel, shops, bakery and even entertainment. But unfortunately, a fire on 5th of November 1902 burned many of the houses to the ground. Another fire, and no more job opportunities, made Romaksbotn not as an attractive place to live in as it was before. Most of the remaining houses were later taken apart and moved to Narvik or other locations with job opportunities. The rest of the town were swept away during a flood in 1959, when a dam burst in the mountains above. Katterat is quite special, it is surrounded by several residential buildings from the time when Katterat was a small station town for railway employees and their families. When the Ofoten line was run on steam there was a manned water tower here, but that was replaced with a transformer station in 1923. This transformation station can be found behind the Lavvo where we are going today. Katterat station is a protected station, the station building that was built in 1922 is actually the only one along the Ofoten line that is in the original design. The electrical installations in the station area which gave the power to the railway are also preserved in their original form. Even though there were not so many inhabitants, the small community was nevertheless well organised. But the modernisation of the railway led to a surplus of workers and the last permanent resident moved from the village in 1963.