Hovedbanen

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Hovedbanen
Depiction of the first trial run of the rails, in 1853
Info
Type	Railway
Start station	Oslo S
End station	Eidsvoll
No. of stations	19
Operation
Opened	1854
Owner	Jernbaneverket
Operator(s)	Norges Statsbaner CargoNet
Character	Local and freight trains
Rolling stock	BM69
Technical
Line length	68 km
Track length	136 km
No. of tracks	2
Gauge	1435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)
Electrified	15 kV 16.7 Hz AC

Hovedbanen is a railway line in Norway which runs between Oslo and Eidsvoll, although the term is sometimes used to describe the line all the way to Hamar. Built by Carl Abraham Pihl, it was opened on September 1, 1854, making it the oldest railway line in Norway. The line was electrified in 1956. Hovedbanen was the main line between Oslo and Eidsvoll until 1998 when the more direct Gardermobanen opened, taking most of the traffic.

Today the old line between Oslo and Lillestrøm is used for freight traffic and commuter trains which serve the suburban stations in outer Oslo, Lørenskog and Skedsmo. In addition overcrowded trains are not allowed to drive through the Romeriksporten tunnel, and are occasionally diverted to the old line [1].

Passenger service on the old line between Lillestrøm and Eidsvoll past Jessheim is only provided to Dal station.