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 kilometres (5.0 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

Narrow gauge diesel locomotives

Narrow gauge railcars

Standard gauge diesel locomotives

These locomotives are only used for shunting at areas with dual gauge track.

Stations and stops

Grovane Station
Røyknes Station

The following stations and stops exist at the railway museum:

NameTypeDistance from Oslo V (km)Length (m)
GrovaneStation345.25
RugånaSteel bridge345.4013.6
Store buSiding345.69
GrovaneStop345.80
GrovaneLevel crossing345.87
PaulenTruss bridge347.1350.1
PaulenStop347.59
Paulen gårdStop347.76
KringsjåStop348.17
LøyningTunnel349.74123
Beihølen damStop350.53
BeihøldalenStation350.97
OtterdalsSiding351.79
RøyknesStation353.22
LangåenSteel bridge353.379.32

See also

References

    External links

    Coordinates: 58°17′37″N 7°58′51″E / 58.2936°N 7.9808°E / 58.2936; 7.9808

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