The very nice Motala, 19-22 June 2020

The ride between Borensberg and Motala was most pleasant, with a few bridges and locks, in a very picturesque landscape. We had planned to stay in Motala for Midsummer and enjoy the celebrations there. As for celebrations, there was nothing because of the Covid 19 and the social distancing "voluntary" measures enforced by people.

Kung Sverker at the Motala lock

But Motala has a lot to offer, in the area around it (see previous posts) but in the city itself as well...
Couple of additional pictures from the ride from Borensberg to Motala, missed in the post from 19 June.

A Hallberg Rassy going down the flight of locks at Borensberg

The last railway bridge before Motala

Along the bank of the canal, one kilometre from the city centre lays the industry museum of Motala. It is located in the site of the Motala workshop founded in 1822 to provide tools and equipments for the Göta canal construction. But the company became a very successful company that developed over the course of the years 800 metallic bridges, 1300 locomotives, 400 boats. More recently, the company developed landing gears for military aircraft, two million of inbox sinks, over five million stoves, fridges... The company is still active today with 120 employee on site.

The Motala industry museum

How the industrial site looked in the 1950's

The "adjustable spanner", invented by the Swedes

In the 1930s' as the war was becoming imminent, Sweden considered moving its production of torpedoes from Karlskrona in the south. In 1941, the production was established in the Motala company. In 2010, the production of torpedoes moved again to SAAB in Linköping, but as of today, the testing and firing of torpedoes still takes place in Motala.

Torpedoes built in Motala and tested in the Vättern lake

The front heat exchanger of a locomotive built in Motala

Then, next to the marina is the "Motor museum" of Motala. The museum is not impressive from outside, but do not miss it if you have a chance. It presents more han 300 vehicles, all in perfect condition, including a large variety, such as a French vélosolex, Gréta Garbo New Phantom Rolls Royce from 1906 or the T-Ford speedster that could reach 90 km/h in 1912!

The Motala motor museum

the T-Ford speedster that could reach 90 km/h in 1912

Greta Garbo New Phantom Rolls Royce from 1906.

Norton motorbike

The French "Vélosolex"