The placing of the first Swedish railway loan

Abstract

Railway construction started late in Sweden. Not until 1853-54 did the Diet (Riksdagen, at that time still consisting of the four Estates) take even a preliminary decision on the extent and the financing of the first railway network. It accepted the principles proposed by the government: the main lines were to be laid and administered by the state, the rest by private companies. The construction of the state lines was to be financed chiefly by funded government loans.