Railbiking Sankt Olof - Gyllebosjö

This tour will take you through a typical, beautiful Skåne landscape as it looked like during the 40-50's. You will pass small farms and pretty pastures, phramed by dry stone, that are being grazed by highland cattle, normal cows, horses and deer. The rail goes both over open landscapes and through parts of beech forest. After 7km you will reach Gyllebosjö Stop where "our" railway ends. That means, you're not allowed to bike any further than this stop. You will bike the same way back. BUT... First, of course, you have to check out Gyllebosjön (the lake); an easy walk of 600m and maybe you can go for a swim! The area around Gyllebo is nature reserve. By the lake there is a small sand beach, a lawn and a few places to sit by tables that are shared with other visitors. There's also a barbecue spot, so you can bring charcoal and fuel it you want. We do not want our visitors to use one-time-barbecues in the nature! A toilet is available by the Gyllebo lake.

 

START AND DESTINATION
By the enginehouse, south of Sankt Olof's train station. Park your car at the train station's parkinglot at "Järnvägsgatan". Then follow the path south, going to the left of the railway for about 150-200m to the engine house where we will meet You!

DISTANCE
About 14km there and back. Around 1h 45min biking whereof 45 min is from the start and 1h is the way back. (Partly small uphill) Walking distance to the lake, 15min/each way.  

 

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
*Always look infront of You!
*Adjust the speed for the sake of everyone’s safety.
*Keep a distance to the railbike in front of you to avoid accidents.
*Never put your feet down in front of the railbike. You can hurt yourself and the railbike can get damaged if it derails.
*If the trolley is damaged trough carelessness you are obliged to pay compensation.

TRAFFIC RULES
*You will cross several roads. You are always to give way to other traffic.
*Always stop in time at our ”stop” signs and lead the railbike over the road, one at a time; to avoid accidents.
*If you meet another railbiker along the way, the person who is biking downhill has to stop and lift his railbike off the track and let the other person pass. Please help eachother. Always remove your railbike off the track when you take a longer break. Otherwise it can cause accidents and be damaged. If the railbike is damaged trough carelessness you are liable to pay compensation.
*Adjust the speed for the sake of everyone´s safety.

KEEP THE NATURE TIDY
*Don´t throw your garbage in the nature, take it with you.
*If you smoke; think about the fire risk.

SOME FUN FACTS
The railbike was invented in the 1840's by the German man Karl Drais and was used among other things by the track walkers on their daily inspecion tours along the rail. The railbike was also used when repair and maintenance work was done on the railway. Nowadays, most of the railbikes are gone, but we've managed to save a few. The one you bike on here with us is a copy of the model that was used in the 20-50's. Altough there have been some improvements to better fit for its purpose which is a fun activity for family and friends, rather than a working-vehicle which used to be its main purpose. In old "railway language", the railbike is called "Wheeler".   

 

SOME HISTORY  Sankt Olof - Gyllebosjö                                                                                   

1902 the Gärsnäs-S:t Olof Railway “GStOJ” was opened for the public. The same year an engine house of brick and a turntable were built. Today only the engine house is left.

1905 GStOJ and Ystads-Gärsnäs Railway “YGJ” were united and took the name “YGStOJ” (Ystad-Gärsnäs-S:t Olof Railway).

1941 the railway was nationalized.

1972 the passenger traffic was shut down and on February 1th the same year, the last goods train ran.

1974-1990 the route S:t Olof-Gyllebosjö was used by the association of museum trains “Skånska Järnvägar” which today uses the route Brösarp-S:t Olof with steamtrains. We recommend a visit!

1994 Simrishamn bought the railway from SJ.

1997 the whole railway between Gärsnäs & Sankt Olof was re-opened again, this time for railbikes!

2000 The railway was shortened to a more moderate distance of 14km alltogether. Gyllebosjö Stop now became the turning point of the track.  

*The old railway buildings along the track all from 1902, still exist. Nowadays, they are all private property (please show respect for the residents!).
*Grönhults station. Later downgraded as a Stop, for passengers only. 
*Gyllebosjö stop, platform, the railway semaphore signal and the small wooden shelter has remained.