Randsfjordbanen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Randsfjordbanen | |
 |
|
|---|---|
| The opening of Randsfjordbanen in 1868 | |
| Info | |
| Type | Railway |
| System | Norwegian Railway |
| Start station | Drammen Station |
| End station | Randsfjord Station |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1866 (to Vikersund) 1868 (to Randsfjorden) |
| Owner | Jernbaneverket |
| Operator(s) | Norges Statsbaner |
| Character | Long-haul passenger traffic |
| Rolling stock | BM 73 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 87 kilometres (54 mi) |
| No. of tracks | 1 |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
| Electrified | 15 kV 16⅔ Hz AC |
Randsfjordbanen is 87 km railway located in Buskerud in Norway connecting Drammen to Hønefoss and Hadeland in Oppland. The railway is primeraly used for passenger trains, and the only scheduled trains on the stretch are Norges Statsbaner express trains on Bergensbanen between Oslo and Bergen. Freight trains to Bergen go to Hønefoss via Gjøvikbanen. The railway is owned by the Government of Norway through Jernbaneverket.
The entire line is standard gauge, and the 71 km from Drammen to Hønefoss is electrified at 15 kV 16⅔ Hz AC. The remaining 16 km from Hønefoss to Randsfjord is not electrified and currently disused.[1] The line gets its name from the lake Randsfjorden.
[edit] History
The Norwegian legislature, Stortinget, decided on June 11, 1863 with 65 against 44 votes to build the line. The first stretch of the line opened on October 31, 1866 between Vikersund and Drammen. On December 1, 1867 Skjærdalen and Tyristrand were connected to the line and finally on October 12, 1868 Hønefoss Staion opened and the line could stretch all the way to Randsfjorden. The line was the fifth railway line to be built in Norway. When Bergensbanen was built a new line between Roa and Hønefoss was opened in 1909, providing two different lines between Hønefoss and Oslo.
[edit] References
- ^ Jernbaneverket. Nøkkeltall for norske baner (Norwegian).
