Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) - A

Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen)

The Old Voss Line or in 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+1⁄2 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.

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.

Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Overview

Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Locale: Norway
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Terminus: Garnes & Midttun
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Connections: Norges Statsbaner
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Built By: Norges Statsbaner
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Original Gauge:
1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Old Voss Line( Gamle Vossebanen) Original Electrification: 15 kV  16.7 Hz AC
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Owned By: Norwegian Railway Society
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Operated By: Norwegian Railway Society
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Length: 18 km (11 mi)
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Preserved Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Preserved Electrification: None
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Opened: 1883
1904 Gauge converted
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Closed to Passengers: 1964
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Closed: Still open for freight
Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Headquarters: Garnes

Old Voss Line (Gamle Vossebanen) Route Map Legend

former main line to Voss
Garnes (1883)
Arna (1883)
Arna (NSB) (1964)
Espeland (1899)
Haukeland (1883)
Søylen Tunnel 89 m
Bratland Tunnel 258 m
Grimmen Tunnel 123 m
Helldal I Tunnel 24 m
Helldal II Tunnel 29 m
Midttun (1925)
former main line to Bergen