| Norway/Vänern Line | |
|---|---|
NSB Class 73 north of Öxnered |
|
| Overview | |
| Locale | Sweden |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 300 km (190 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge |
| Operating speed | 200 km/h (120 mph) |
Norway/Vänern Line (Swedish: Norge/Vänerbanan) is a Y-shaped railway line in Sweden. The main section runs from Gothenburg Central Station to Kil Station, mostly along the west shore of Vänern. There is a branch from Erikstad to Kornsjø, which continues as the Østfold Line in Norway. The lengths of the line are 112 kilometres (70 mi) from Gothenburg to Erikstad, 180 kilometres (110 mi) from Gothenburg to Kornsjø and 232 kilometres (144 mi) from Gothenburg to Kil. The line is single track, except for the 82 kilometres (51 mi) section from Gotheburg to Öxnered, which in the process of being converted to double track and scheduled for completion by 2012.
The Vänern Branch from Gothenburg to Kil is trafficked by locomotive-hauled passenger trains on the Gothenburg–Karlstad once per two hours each direction, and by hourly regional trains from Gothenburg to Vänersborg. In addition, freight trains run from Gothenburg to Falun and to places in northern Sweden.
The Norway Branch from Gothenburg to Kornsjø is trafficked by the Norwegian State Railways three times per day and direction, using NSB Class 73 multiple units. They go as normal regional trains inside Norway with several stops. This branch is also trafficked by freight trains.
The railways were finished in 1879. A shortcut at Erikstad was built for the Norway branch in 1995.