Norway - Tram services over obscure routes

Introduction

Some tram systems advertise their depot workings and enable one to ascertain the regular use by passenger-carrying services of junctions or sections of line that do not otherwise see public service. This occasional series lists such services that have come to notice. While the data for each system is current at the date stated, it is not the intention to endeavour to keep every entry up to date at every service change - the listing serves as a guide for travellers as to the sort of services they can look out for, enabling them to check current published timetable material at their time of travel.

To assist in tracing services, the route and/or timetable number for each journey is shown in parentheses, e.g. (1). Days of operation are in English notation (respectively: Su, M, T, W, Th, F, S) - plus "O" for only, "X" for excepted. Su (Sundays) usually includes public holidays in mainland Europe - but check locally.

Listings for other systems throughout the world - in the same format as shown below (please include date of timetable validity) - will always be welcomed.

Oslo:

Ruter As is the overall public transport authority covering Oslo and former Akershus. See Ruter#

Oslo: Sporveien Trikken AS, formerly Oslo Sporvognsdrift AS

[trikken = trams]
The following information is based on advertised journeys in the timetable dated 2 July 2018 or on later observations. It can be difficult to locate the official current route map on line and it is schematic: as at November 2024 it is here. The entries below are compass referenced from the Gleisplanweb website map.

Temporary routes

Oslo has a very unusual policy: if there are long term city centre road works, temporary routes or curves may be laid in alternative streets which are lifted when the original route reopens! Note the Gleisplanweb map in July 2025 suggests a temporary line is planned from Homansbyen on route 19 to Bislett on routes 17 & 18 but no timescale is specified.

Jernbanetorget to Stortorvet

The official schematic route map gives the impression of identical routings from where routes 17, 18 and 19 coincide but that is not the case. Routes 17 and 18 approach/depart the west stop at Jernbanetorget from the north using the north to west curve, whereas route 19 calls at Jernbanetorget south stop, and as there is no south to west curve, runs south to north or vv into Nygata and at the junction with street Storgata uses a south to west curve and line to/from stop Stortorvet.

Stortorvet loop

As at July 2025, half of route 19's from the east [Ljabru] were shown in the timetable as terminating here and a traveller reports he could travel half way around the loop but was then asked to leave the tram.

Majorstuen

Since 18 May 2020, a newly built east to south curve and a doubled route to Bogstadveien is in use and all [as at July 2025] supposed terminating route 12 & 15's from the west continue from the same stop as a route 19 and vv.

Prior to the 18 May 2020 change this loop was all done in service by route 11 that used the same arrival and departure stop.

Jerbanetorget - Bussterminalen Grønland - Ekebergparken

This section closed 28 September 2020, in conjunction with the opening of the extension from Bjørvika to Ekebergparken - [Ljabru] on 4 October 2020.

Nationaltheatret - Turn Back Options

No such workings in May 2023, but what was used in summer 2020 works when the Majorstuen loop closed, westbound route 19 trams were shown terminating at Nationaltheatret. However, no turn back facilities exist at this point.

Two solutions to this issue were observed;

• The tram continued, in service, to Skøyen, before entering the loop there [out of service]. After a layover, the vehicle returned as a Route 19 service to Ljabru and were then shown on the Skøyen and other stop indicators as such.
• While at the Nationaltheatret stop the tram's destination indicator changed to Aker Brygge. The vehicle then continued west, but took the east to south curve at Solli to end up at Aker Brygge. Also of note was a temporary southbound stop, at the south end of the triangle at Solli, which was used by these services. When at Aker Brygge, the vehicle then renumbered to Route 12 going to Kjelsås.

Also of note, at the normal eastbound Solli Route 12 stop, was a sign directing you to the temporary stop at the base of the triangle.

The Majorstuen loop reopened on 4 October 2020, with Routes 12 and 19 returning there, so these operations were assumed to cease from 3 October 2020.

Storo - Grefsen stasjon

Prior to summer 2020 trams on [then] Routes 13 and 17 changed routes and ran through on arrival at Grefsen stasjon. Previously that was not the case both turned out of service through the adjacent Depot resulting in a small gap in track coverage. The latest route map shows Grefsen stasjon served by routes 17 and 18 and a May 2024 visitor advises when he was at Grefsen they again ran as separate routes.

Disen turning circle

No scheduled services in May 2023. Route 17 used this loop in public service from 18 May 2020 to 3 October 2020 for the 2020 summer works timetable.

Oslo: Sporveien T-banen AS, formerly Oslo T-banedrift AS

[T-banen = metro]

Ensjø - Carl Berners plass (Tøyen east curve)

Advertised journeys on a visit in July 2025. None in a timetable dated 26 April 2009, nor a journey planner search in June 2024 so this curve may or may not have a service on any visit. Note it is single track with no crossover at the east end junction explaining why it is only ever scheduled in one direction.

• From Ryen to Vestli (depot workings for route 5): departing Ensjø at 04:36 and 04:51 SSuX

In July 2025 this can be accessed from Central Oslo by an 04:10 number 37 bus from Central station to its terminus at Helsfyr, close to the metro station of that name (one before Ensjø).