Myrdal Station

Myrdal Station (Norwegian: Myrdal stasjon) is a mountain railway station and junction, located on the Bergen Line regional mainline in Aurland, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. The railway station is also the upper terminal of the Flåm Line local railway, which ascends from the valley floor of the Sognefjord to the mountain-top junction, providing a vital public transport link, but deriving a majority of its passengers through tourism. Most passengers using Myrdal station are changing trains between the two lines.

Location

Myrdal station is located about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) south of the village of Flåm and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Aurlandsvangen. There is no road connection to Myrdal although there are some cottages and hotels in the area, served by Myrdal station, and the nearby Vatnahalsen railway station, about a kilometer before Myrdal, and 50 metres lower towards mean sea level.

The station is located between two tunnels on the Bergensbanen: the Gravahals Tunnel to the west and the Vatnahals Tunnel to the east. Completion of the 5.3 kilometres (3.3 mi) long Gravahals Tunnel was done in 1905. The station is 867 metres (2,844 ft) above mean sea level.^[1]

Facilities

The station has three platforms. Platform 1 is the principal platform on the mainline, and platform 2 is the alternative mainline platform located on the passing loop. The non-consecutively numbered platform 11 is the platform used by local trains to and from Flåm. As the mainline is single track, the passing loop allows regional trains to cross with freight services, and very occasionally with other passenger trains. A large cafeteria and gift shop provides refreshment and shelter, and there are waiting rooms and lavatories. There are freight sidings located at Myrdal.

History

The station opened in 1908. On 17 January 1923, the station restaurant was taken over by Norsk Spisevognselskap. As the facilities were too small, the restaurant was later moved to another, larger building.^[2]

Media gallery

References