Gamle Vossebanen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Old Voss railway (Gamle Vossebanen in Norwegian) is a heritage railway between Garnes and Midttun near Bergen in the county of Hordaland in south-western Norway. Originally constructed as a narrow gauge line, it formed part of the Bergen to Voss railway opened in 1873. Following the decision to complete the railway to Oslo 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 7½km Ulrikentunnel, which opened in 1964, resulted in the closure of the line.
Today, the museum railway is operated by the Norwegian railway society (Norsk jernbaneklubb) and runs on Sundays between June and September over a distance of 18km between the towns of Garnes and Midttun, taking just under one hour. The Midttun station is located near the town of Nesttun and has 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 carriages built between 1921 and 1938. The locomotive is stored at the restored Garnes station that features a museum, engine shed, yard and turntable.
