Banebørster Statue

Who built Hadsten? Right here at Hadsten Station, the Banebørster statue answers that question. The Banebørster statue isn’t just a bronze sculpture. It’s a tribute to the unsung heroes, the railway workers who laid the very foundation of this town. The Banebørster statue, created by Gudrun Steen-Andersen and unveiled in 1994, depicts two railway workers in the midst of their strenuous labor. They are life-sized, positioned on real DSB tracks. One worker bends, hammering a rail onto a sleeper. The other stands with a crowbar, ready for the next task. The statue captures the back-breaking work that went into constructing the Østjyske længdebane, the railway line that brought life to Hadsten. The idea for this monument came from a local resident, Ella Krogsgaard Hansen. In 1991, Hadsten was naming a new IC3 train. Ella suggested “Banebørsten,” the railway worker, to honor those whose sweat and toil established the town back in 1862. While the train was named after a local doctor, the idea of recognizing the railway workers stuck with Ella. She spearheaded a committee and fundraising effort to make the statue a reality. The Banebørster statue cost 300,000 kr. DSB and Hadsten Kommune each contributed 100,000 kr. The remaining funds came from local sponsors and businesses. Even this statue has a story of resilience. In 2014, vandals broke off one of the figures. His crowbar and the steel spike in his foot were also broken. The damaged figure was sent all the way back to Italy for repair. Now, the Banebørster statue stands whole again. It serves as a reminder of the hard work and determination that built this town. It is a symbol of the often overlooked contributions of ordinary people.