Setesdal Line
| Setesdal Line | |
|---|---|
 Veteran train on Setesdalsbanen, July 23 2003. The train is driving onto the Paulen bridge. | |
| Overview | |
| Type | Railway |
| System | Norwegian railway |
| Status | Heritage railway, 8 km (5 mi) of the original line |
| Termini |
Kristiansand Byglandsfjord |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 26 November 1895 |
| Closed | 1 September 1962 |
| Owner |
Norwegian State Railways (original) Setesdalsbanen (heritage) |
| Operator(s) |
Norwegian State Railways (original) Setesdalsbanen (heritage) |
| Character | Heritage (Grovane - Røyknes) |
| Technical | |
| Line length |
78 km (48 mi) (original) 8 km (5 mi) (heritage) |
| Number of tracks | Single |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | No |
The Setesdal Line (Norwegian: Setesdalsbanen) was a railway between Kristiansand and Byglandsfjord in southern Norway, 78 km (48 mi) long. It was built with a narrow gauge of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in), and opened to Hægeland 26 November 1895, and to Byglandsfjord 27 November 1896. Stations along the line included Mosby, Vennesla, Grovene (Grovane), Iveland and Hægeland.
Today, only the stretch between Grovane and Røyknes of the original line is preserved as a heritage railway.
History
When the Sørlandet Line was opened to Kristiansand in 1938, Grovane became the new terminal station for the Setesdal Line, with connection to the Sørlandet Line.
The Sørlandet Line was suspended from 1 September 1962, and the track was lifted between Byglandsfjord and Beihølen. The 6 km (3.7 mi) line between Beihølen and Grovane was, however, preserved by local enthusiasts. The Setesdalsbanen Hobby Club was established already in 1964.
Today, the Sørlandet Line is a railway museum with steam trains serving the 8 km (5.0 mi) line between Grovane and Røyknes. Four steam locomotives from 1894-1902 are preserved, along with a number of passenger and freight cars.
The preserved locomotives
Narrow gauge steam locomotives
- Class XXI number 1, built at Dübs and Company in 1894.
- Class XXI number 2, built at Dübs and Company in 1894.
- Class XXI number 5, built at Thunes Mekaniske Værksted in 1901.
- Class XXII number 6, built at Thunes Mekaniske Værksted in 1902.
Narrow gauge diesel locomotives
- SJ Class Z4t number 227, built in 1950. Bought from the SJ in 1976.
- SJ Class Z4t number 307, built in 1952. Bought from the SJ in 1981.
Narrow gauge railcars
- Cmbo-1 number 2672, built in 1932 at Strømmens Værksted. 56 passengers.
- Cmdo Sulitelma, built in 1957 at Strømmens Værksted. 56 passengers. Transferred to Setesdalsbanen after the closure of Sulitjelmabanen.
Standard gauge diesel locomotives
These locomotives are only used for shunting at areas with dual gauge track.
- Skd 206 number 39, built in 1936.
- Skd 206 number 44, built in 1936.
Stations and stops
_(2).jpg)
The following stations and stops exist at the railway museum:
| Name | Type | Distance from Oslo V (km) | Length (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grovane | Station | 345.25 | |
| Rugåna | Steel bridge | 345.40 | 13.6 |
| Store bu | Siding | 345.69 | |
| Grovane | Stop | 345.80 | |
| Grovane | Level crossing | 345.87 | |
| Paulen | Truss bridge | 347.13 | 50.1 |
| Paulen | Stop | 347.59 | |
| Paulen gård | Stop | 347.76 | |
| Kringsjå | Stop | 348.17 | |
| Løyning | Tunnel | 349.74 | 123 |
| Beihølen dam | Stop | 350.53 | |
| Beihøldalen | Station | 350.97 | |
| Otterdals | Siding | 351.79 | |
| Røyknes | Station | 353.22 | |
| Langåen | Steel bridge | 353.37 | 9.32 |
See also
References
External links
- Official site (Norwegian)
- Vest-Ager Museum Setesdalsbanen (Optional languages)
- photos from Setesdalsbanen
- Google map location
Coordinates: 58°17′37″N 7°58′51″E / 58.2936°N 7.9808°E