Saarivesi

63.7187N 24.6790E Sievi

The Saarivesi cabin from 1947 is the only building preserved by the forest railroad. The cabin hostess used to sell food to dozens of men through the so-called life hatch. There was also a family dwelling, including a kitchen and two other rooms, in the building. A sauna and a stable for ten horses were located in the yard. The cabin is located by a lake and it is presently in recreational use.

Stories

“The cabin differs from Jänissalo in that the kitchen is in the same building as the men’s dwellings, of which there are two in Saarivesi, at both ends of the building. In the middle there is the kitchen and the hostess’ dwelling. Food is distributed from the kitchen through hatches. (…)In addition, a special feature of the Saarivesi cabin is that it is located by a lake, Saarivesi, which makes it a popular venue in the summer. It is also used when undertaking forest improvement work.” (Keskipohjanmaa 26 January 1957, Eskolan Metsärata)

“Ellen Kuoppala told about a chainsaw serviceman at Saarivesi cabin who wanted to get to Särkijärvi in the evening. Ellen would have been ready to give him a lift, but the cabin host absolutely wanted to drive the platform truck. It was dark, and Ellen kept warning the driver that there might be half-loaded wagons on the railroad: they were sometimes left there for the night to wait for filling on the following day. (…) The cabin host failed to heed Ellen’s warnings, and suddenly they hit a large black mass, a wagon. ´And hell, he drives at full speed into the wagon.´ In addition to Ellen, the serviceman and the cabin host, on board was also Ellen’s sister. ´They all fell into the forest by the railroad, I only saw their legs fly, and I was the only one to stay on board.´ Ellen, who had managed to stay on board, suffered the worst injuries. She dislocated her elbow, and the next day she had to go to see a specialist.” (Interview with Ellen Kuoppala 24 November 2015, Eskolan Metsärata)