With the rise of automobile transport, the Fiskars railway was shut down in 1952, deemed unprofitable and outdated. Freight trains were replaced with trucks, and on October 4, 1952, Pikku-Pässi made its final journey through Fiskars, in connection with the broadcast of Lyckoskrinet. However, the locomotive continued working at Åminnefors Ironworks until 1958.
Throughout 1958, Pikku-Pässi, now known as Fiskars-Pässi, remained operational in Åminnefors, at least from February to autumn. It transported industrial raw materials and finished goods from various factories to the weighing station and Pohjankuru harbor. When a ship arrived, iron — used as raw material — was delivered to the factory with the help of the locomotive.
Fiskars-Pässi was the smallest of Åminnefors’ locomotives, running primarily on coal, while two other locomotives, Little (Pikku-)Pässi and Big (Iso-)Pässi, burned wood logs.
In the autumn of 1958 all three were finally retired.
Pikku-Pässi Saved from Scrapping
In 1958, Pikku-Pässi was sent to the scrapyard in Åminnefors, alongside the other locomotives. While waiting for demolition, various brass parts and small mechanical components were salvaged for recycling and reuse.
Laura Holmström, a clerk who co-founded Fiskars Museum in 1949 with midwife Gerda Gers, noticed that this culturally and historically valuable locomotive was set for scrapping. She approached Fiskars Ltd, which in 1959 donated the locomotive to the museum.
Thanks to Holmström’s efforts, the Fiskars Local History Society saved Pikku-Pässi from destruction. It became Finland’s oldest preserved narrow-gauge locomotive, officially joining the Fiskars Museum collection as a monument in the ironworks. Over time, it was widely recognized and cherished by locals and visitors alike.
In 1974, Fiskars Auto Workshop, Pojo platsförvaltning, restored the locomotive under the supervision of Kaino Laaksonen.
But what makes a stationary locomotive so significant? It serves as a tangible memory of an era when iron and industry shaped Fiskars’ development.
Pikku-Pässi as a Cultural Landmark
The locomotive became a captivating attraction, especially for children, who climbed aboard and posed as train drivers long before selfies and social media. Over the years, Pikku-Pässi has been featured in photographs, class and wedding pictures, travel postcards, and more — solidifying its place in Fiskars’ cultural heritage.
The locomotive has been exhibited in three different locations:
Restoration in Jokioinen
In 2016, Fiskars Museum launched a new initiative to preserve Pikku-Pässi for future generations. With support from Fiskars Ltd and the Fiskars Local History Society, museum director Emi Ingo led the project. It was decided that the locomotive would be restored by Höyrywelho in Jokioinen.
The transport of Pikku-Pässi to Jokioinen garnered significant interest. Children from Fiskars kindergarten and several journalists attended to document the historic move. Many locals wondered if Pikku-Pässi would return to its original place, given its over 50-year presence in the ironworks. Before that, it had served for 67 years, meaning that in 2025, the locomotive reaches an impressive age of 134 years.
To fill the gap left by Pikku-Pässi, a playground locomotive was placed in its former location.
Pikku-Pässi Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
In the spring of 2025, Fiskars museum began constructing a locomotive shed to prepare for Pikku-Pässi’s return. During restoration, its missing and rusted parts were replaced with fully functional components, and the locomotive regained its original red-and-black color.
If all goes according to plan—something that has not always been certain in Pikku-Pässi’s long history—the locomotive will return to Fiskars for the summer season of 2026, coinciding with its 135th anniversary.
Even though the Fiskars railway fell silent, Pikku-Pässi remained alive in the memories of those who had seen it rolling through the landscape. Thanks to persistent conservation efforts, the locomotive was saved from oblivion and will soon return to Fiskars, now protected from the elements in its own locomotive shed. Pikku-Pässi stands as a monument to a bygone era—a tribute to the industrial heritage of the area and the people who built it. A stationary locomotive may seem insignificant, but its history echoes through generations, with the steam of the past still lingering over Fiskars.
Pikku-Pässi was more than just a locomotive — it was a lifeline, a symbol of progress, optimism, and forward momentum. With its characteristic rhythmic pounding, it connected Fiskars to the wider world, enabling more efficient trade and transport, becoming an integral part of many people’s daily lives. It rolled along the tracks, its steady chugging a natural part of the surroundings — always present, always there for those who listened. Pikku-Pässi bound industry, workers, and society together, shaping Fiskars into a place where ambition and hard work went hand in hand.