Between the 1810s and the 1860s, many shorter horse-drawn railways similar to the one depicted above were constructed. Particularly in the eastern industrial districts of Värmland, iron production necessitated heavy transportation.

Previously, the ore had been transported over snow-covered terrain and frozen lakes by horse and sled. The first winter from mine to smelter with blast furnace. The second winter from smelter to ironworks. And the third winter from ironworks to the shipping port.

With horse-drawn railways, mines, foundries, and industrial districts could be connected to each other and to the main waterways. Together with the many lakes of eastern Värmland and a couple of shorter canals, the horse-drawn railways formed a comprehensive transport system from Oforsen, on the border with Dalarna, all the way down to the port of Kristinehamn on Lake Vänern.

On the lakes, transportation was done on barges. Between the different bodies of water and past rapids and other obstacles, the cargo traveled on iron rails. Despite the need for reloading, the horse-drawn railways easily outperformed the poor roads and winter sled transports.