Gamle Vossebanen

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Gamle Vossebanen
Type 18 locomotive n. 255 at Garnes
Info
Type Railway
System Norwegian railway
Status Heritage
Terminals Garnes
Midttun
Operation
Opened 1883
Closed 1964
Owner Norges Statsbaner
Operator(s) Norges Statsbaner
Norwegian Railway Society (heritage)
Technical
Line length 18 km
No. of tracks 1
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)
Electrification 15 kV 16⅔ Hz AC
Gamle Vossebanen
exLUECKE
former main line to Voss
xKBFa
Garnes (1883)
BHF
Arna (1883)
HLUECKE HBHF TUNNELlu KRZt
Arna (NSB) (1964)
BHF
Espeland (1899)
BHF
Haukeland (1883)
TUNNEL2
Søylen Tunnel 89m
TUNNEL1
Bratland Tunnel 258m
TUNNEL2
Grimmen Tunnel 123m
TUNNEL2
Helldal I Tunnel 24m
TUNNEL2
Helldal II Tunnel 29m
xKBFe
Midttun (1925)
exLUECKE
former main line to Bergen

Gamle Vossebanen or Old Voss Line 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 1883. 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 terminus is located near the town of Nesttun, and there are further 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.

Restored Vossebanen station at Garnes.
Restored Vossebanen station at Garnes.

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