Old Voss Line

Last updated
Old Voss Line
Norwegian: Gamle Vossebanen
Type 18 locomotive n. 255 at Garnes.jpg
Type 18 locomotive no. 255 at Garnes
Locale Norway
Terminus Garnes & Midttun
Connections Norges Statsbaner
Commercial operations
Built by Norges Statsbaner
Original gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Original electrification 15 kV  16.7 Hz AC
Preserved operations
Owned by Norwegian Railway Society
Operated by Norwegian Railway Society
Length18 km (11 mi)
Preserved gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Preserved electrification None
Commercial history
Opened1883
1904 Gauge converted
Closed to passengers1964
Closedstill open for freight
Preservation history
Headquarters Garnes
Website
Old Voss Line web site
Route map
BSicon exLSTR.svg
former main line to Voss
BSicon KBHFxa.svg
Garnes
(1883)
BSicon BHF.svg
Arna
(1883)
BSicon LSTRq.svg
BSicon BHFq.svg
BSicon tSTRaq.svg
BSicon KRZt.svg
Arna (NSB)
(1964)
BSicon BHF.svg
Espeland
(1899)
BSicon BHF.svg
Haukeland
(1883)
BSicon TUNNEL2.svg
Søylen Tunnel
89 m
BSicon TUNNEL1.svg
Bratland Tunnel
258 m
BSicon TUNNEL2.svg
Grimmen Tunnel
123 m
BSicon TUNNEL2.svg
Helldal I Tunnel
24 m
BSicon TUNNEL2.svg
Helldal II Tunnel
29 m
BSicon KBHFxe.svg
Midttun
(1925)
BSicon exLSTR.svg
former main line to Bergen

The Old Voss Line (Norwegian : Gamle Vossebanen) is a heritage railway between Garnes and Midttun near Bergen, Norway.

Originally constructed as a 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge line, it formed part of the Bergen to Voss railway opened in 1883. Following the decision to complete the railway to Oslo in 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge , the line was upgraded in 1904. Electrified in 1954, it continued to serve as part of the Bergen to Oslo main line until the Arnanipa Tunnel and the 7.5 km (4.7 mi) Ulriken Tunnel, which opened in 1964, resulted in the closure of the line for passenger traffic. The line is still open for freight traffic. [1]

Today, the museum railway is operated by the Norwegian Railway Association (Norsk Jernbaneklubb) and runs on Sundays between June and September over a distance of 18 km (11 mi) between Garnes and Midttun, taking just under one hour. The Midttun terminus is located near Nesttun, and there are further intermediate stops at Arna, Espeland and Haukeland. The service operates with a type 18 steam locomotive, no. 255, built in 1913, decommissioned in 1969 and restored by volunteers between 1981 and 1993. It pulls a series of teak coaches built between 1921 and 1938. The locomotive is stored in the engine shed at the restored Garnes station that features a museum, a coach shed, a yard and turntable. [2]

The restored Garnes Station Restored Vossenbanen station at Garnes.jpg
The restored Garnes Station

References

  1. "Gamle Vossebanen". Riksantikvaren. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  2. "The Old Voss Steam Railway Museum". Norsk Jernbaneklubb. Retrieved September 1, 2017.