The story of the construction of the Ofoten Line linking Narvik to Luleå in Sweden is a dramatic one.  The reason behind the railway line construction lies back in history,1.6 – 1.8 billion years ago! The reason for the railway, the Iron Ore Line, being built is the huge iron ore deposit at Kiruna in Sweden. A port is needed for the export of the iron, but the Baltic Sea freezes so the port at Luleå is not useable year round. Narvik on the other hand is ice free all year due to the North Atlantic Drift, hence its importance.   Narvik had great strategic importance during the Second World War and the Battle of Narvik led to the first defeat of the Nazis. 

Bibliography and suggested reading

Film – Narvik

Museums: Narvik War Museum and Narvik Museum

The Ofoten Line Hikes along the navvy road Agge Theander

SOEs Balls of Steel Operation Rubble Sophie Jackson

Treasure in the Mountains