Bergensbanen

The Bergen line, crossing the mountains between Hønefoss and Bergen, is a spectacular trip any day. This september, I got of the train at Hallingskeid, midway on the line, and walked the distance to Myrdal to document the line.

Train 601, bound for Bergen, climbs towards the highest point on the line at Finse

Train 601, bound for Bergen, climbs towards the highest point on the line at Finse

 

 

Train 64 to Oslo east of Hallingskeid

Train 64 to Oslo east of Hallingskeid

 

 

The line between Lågheller and Finse was replaced by a tunnel cutting through the mountain. The old line, climbing to 1349 meters, was difficult to keep open in the long winter. Here, freight train 5504 crosses Låghellervatnet before entering the tunnel. The old, dissused, line has branched of and climbs the hill in the foreground.

The line between Lågheller and Finse was replaced by a tunnel cutting through the mountain. The old line, climbing to 1349 meters, was difficult to keep open in the long winter. Here, freight train 5504 crosses Låghellervatnet before entering the tunnel. The old, dissused, line has branched of and climbs the hill in the foreground.

 

 

Kleva bridge, a masterpiece of 1910 engineering. Train 601 crosses the bridge while a pair of bicycle touristes has started the decent towards Flåm. The old navi road is a popular route during the short summer.

Kleva bridge, a masterpiece of 1910 engineering. Train 601 crosses the bridge while a pair of bicycle touristes has started the decent towards Flåm. The old navi road is a popular route during the short summer.

 

 

Flåmsbanen, the Flåm line, is one of the steepest railways in the world not using cogs, with a 5,5% gradient. A train towards Flåm is seen across Reinungavatnet, with Vatnahalsen hotel in the background.

Flåmsbanen, the Flåm line, is one of the steepest railways in the world not using cogs, with a 5,5% gradient. A train towards Flåm is seen across Reinungavatnet, with Vatnahalsen hotel in the background.

 

 

A Myrdal bound train on the Flåm line makes a halt at Kjosfossen to let tourist capture the forces of the waterfall.

A Myrdal bound train on the Flåm line makes a halt at Kjosfossen to let tourist capture the forces of the waterfall.

 

 

Upsete, west of Myrdal

Upsete, west of Myrdal

 

 

601 bound for Bergen passes Upsete

601 bound for Bergen passes Upsete

 

 

Train 64 passes Upsete, entering Gravhalsen tunnel towards Myrdal. When built, the tunnel was the longest in the country when it was opened in 1906.

Train 64 passes Upsete, entering Gravhalsen tunnel towards Myrdal. When built, the tunnel was the longest in the country when it was opened in 1906.

 

 

Myrdal, train 601 entering Gravhalsen.

Myrdal, train 601 entering Gravhalsen.

 

September 2016

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