Norway - General Information: Difference between revisions

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==National Railway System==
==National Railway System==
([https://www.vy.no/en Vy]) formerly Norges Statsbaner (NSB). The NSB Group was renamed the Vy Group on 24 April 2019. The company is owned by the Norwegian government via the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
[https://www.vy.no/en Vy], formerly Norges Statsbaner (NSB). The NSB Group was renamed the Vy Group on 24 April 2019. The company is owned by the Norwegian government via the Ministry of Transport and Communications.


The train service between Oslo and Gardermoen Airport is operated by a subsidiary company, NSB Gardermobanen AS, since re-named 'Flytoget'. The Linx company, jointly owned by SJ and NSB, which operated services between Norway and Sweden, was liquidated and ceased operations on 8 January 2005. Since then, through services Stockholm - Oslo have been operated by SJ. Oslo - Göteborg is operated by NSB in cooperation with Svenska Tågkompaniet (TKAB), and in 2007 NSB acquired full ownership of TKAB. The ‘Nabotåget’ trains between Trondheim and Östersund are operated by Veolia Transport on behalf of Z-trafik AB, the transport authority of the Jämtland region.
The train service between Oslo and Gardermoen Airport is operated by a subsidiary company, NSB Gardermobanen AS, since re-named 'Flytoget'. The Linx company, jointly owned by SJ and NSB, which operated services between Norway and Sweden, was liquidated and ceased operations on 8 January 2005. Since then, through services Stockholm - Oslo have been operated by SJ. Oslo - Göteborg is operated by NSB in cooperation with Svenska Tågkompaniet (TKAB), and in 2007 NSB acquired full ownership of TKAB, which has been renamed to Vy Tåg AB.  


Competition is being introduced on main line passenger services. Invitations to tender for the first passenger train operating contract were issued to prequalified bidders by Jernbanedirektoratet on 12 October 2017, when the national railway agency also announced plans for further competitive tendering. This first contract, Lot 1 Sør, covered inter-city services on the Sørlandet line to Stavanger and Jær line local services from Stavanger and Arendal. The contract was awarded to [https://go-aheadnordic.com/no/ Go-Ahead Norge AS] on 30 October 2018 and came into effect on 15 December 2019.
Competition is being introduced on main line passenger services. Invitations to tender for the first passenger train operating contract were issued to prequalified bidders by Jernbanedirektoratet on 12 October 2017, when the national railway agency also announced plans for further competitive tendering. This first contract, Lot 1 Sør, covered inter-city services on the Sørlandet line to Stavanger, Jærbanen local services from Stavanger, and the Arendal branch. The contract was awarded to Go-Ahead Norge AS, branded as [https://go-aheadnordic.com/no/ Go-Ahead Nordic], on 30 October 2018 and came into effect on 15 December 2019.


The [https://www.sj.no/ SJ Norge AS] subsidiary of Sweden’s national passenger operator was awarded the Lot 2 Nord operating contract on 17 June 2019. The contract covers long-distance passenger services on the Dovrebanen and Nordlandsbanen routes from Oslo to Trondheim and Bodø, as well as the Rørosbanen, Raumabanen, Trønderbanen, Meråkerbanen and Saltenpendelen regional services  and  runs for 10 years from 08 June 2020.
The [https://www.sj.no/ SJ Norge AS] subsidiary of Sweden’s national passenger operator was awarded the Lot 2 Nord operating contract on 17 June 2019. The contract covers long-distance passenger services on the Dovrebanen and Nordlandsbanen routes from Oslo to Trondheim and Bodø, as well as the Rørosbanen, Raumabanen, Trønderbanen, Meråkerbanen, and Saltenpendelen regional services  and  runs for 10 years from 08 June 2020.


The Lot 3 Vest operating contract, covering long-distance passenger services from Bergen to Voss, Myrdal and Oslo, and local services between Bergen and Arna was awarded to Vy Tog on 09 December 2019. The  nine year contract running from 13 December 2020, has an optional two year extension, but does not include the passenger services on the Flåm branch which are operated under a separate contract between line manager Flåm Utvikling and the national operator until December 2029 with an optional two year extension.
The Lot 3 Vest operating contract, covering long-distance passenger services from Bergen to Voss, Myrdal and Oslo, and local services between Bergen and Arna was awarded to Vy Tog on 09 December 2019. The  nine year contract running from 13 December 2020, has an optional two year extension, but does not include the passenger services on the Flåm branch which are operated under a separate contract between line manager Flåm Utvikling and the national operator until December 2029 with an optional two year extension.


The Lot 4 contract covering services around Oslo, expected to be awarded in 2020, was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and will now be tendered in January 2021 with contract award in early 2022 and take over of services from the December 2023 timetable change. Lot 5 covering Inter-City services is yet to be defined.
The Lot 4 contract covering services around Oslo, expected to be awarded in 2020, was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was to be tendered in January 2021 with contract award in early 2022 and take over of services from the December 2023 timetable change, but the process is stopped, and Vy will retain the traffic. Lot 5 covering Inter-City services is yet to be defined.


It should be noted that during the Norwegian summer holiday period (in 2021 from 28 June to 06 August) a reduced service is run over some lines, particularly in the Oslo area where suburban and metro services are affected. Major engineering works requiring line closures are also often scheduled for this period of reduced local demand.  
It should be noted that during the Norwegian summer holiday period (from late June to early August) a reduced service is run over some lines, particularly in the Oslo area where suburban and metro services are affected. Major engineering works requiring line closures are also often scheduled for this period of reduced local demand.  


===National Railway Operator===
===National Railway Operator===
*Vygruppen AS ([https://www.vy.no/en Vy]), formerly Norges Statsbaner (NSB).
* Vygruppen AS ([https://www.vy.no/en Vy]), formerly Norges Statsbaner (NSB).


Other Railway Operators:
Other Railway Operators:
*Flytoget AS, [https://flytoget.no/en/ Flytoget], a Vy subsidiary company
* Flytoget AS, [https://flytoget.no/en/ Flytoget], a Vy subsidiary company
*Vy Gjøvikbanen AS, Vy subsidiary company
* Vy Gjøvikbanen AS, Vy subsidiary company
*Go-Ahead Norge AS, [https://go-aheadnordic.com/no/ Go-Ahead Norge AS]
* Go-Ahead Norge AS, branded as [https://go-aheadnordic.com/no/ Go-Ahead Nordic]
*SJ Norge [https://www.sj.no/ SJ Norge]
* SJ Norge [https://www.sj.no/en SJ Norge]


==Language==
==Language==
Line 40: Line 40:
   
   
===Journey Planner===
===Journey Planner===
[https://www.vy.no/ Vy] (English version : [https://www.vy.no/en here]) or [https://en-tur.no/ ENTUR] covering all operators.
[https://www.vy.no/ Vy] ([https://www.vy.no/en English version]) or [https://entur.no/ Entur] covering all operators.


===Downloadable Timetable===
===Downloadable Timetable===
A list with individual PDFs for Vy operated routes is available at
There does not appear to a website providing timetables for all operators; each operator provides timetables for their own services only:
[https://www.vy.no/en/traffic-and-routes/timetables Timetables for trains].
* [https://www.vy.no/en/traffic-and-routes/times Vy]
 
* [https://go-aheadnordic.no/status-train-lines-and-timetables/timetables Go-Ahead Nordic]
Go-Ahead Nordic operated route PDFs (Tables 50 (Oslo - Stavanger), 53 (Nelaug - Arendal) and 59 (Stavanger - Egersund) can be found at the bottom of the [https://go-aheadnordic.no/ Go-Ahead Nordic Norwegian website]
* [https://www.sj.no/en/train-schedules/ SJ Norge]
 
SJ Norway operated routes timetable PDF can be found [https://www.sj.no/rutetabeller here].


===Working (Staff) Timetable===
===Working (Staff) Timetable===
The working timetable is available on the Bane NOR website [https://www.banenor.no/jernbaneforetak/tjenester-og-leveranser/tjenesteruteboker/tjenesteruteboker-r22/ here].
The working timetable is available on the Bane NOR website [https://www.banenor.no/togselskap/kapasitetsfordeling/ here].
* ''[https://www.banenor.no/kundeportal/ruter-og-sportilgang/tjenesteruteboker2/tjenesteruteboker-r20/ Tjenesterutebøker R20]'' contains what are termed "current (gjeldende)" timetables for 2021 for individual trains by operator
* [https://www.banenor.no/togselskap/kapasitetsfordeling/tjenesteruteboker/ ''Tjenesterutebøker R23''] contains what are termed "current (gjeldende)" timetables for 2023 for individual trains by operator
* ''[https://www.banenor.no/kundeportal/ruter-og-sportilgang/tjenesteruteboker/ Tjenesterutebøker for rutetermin R21]'' contains timetables by operator in train number order, which makes it difficult to find individual trains.


It should be noted that detailed distances are given as part of the individual train routing files.
It should be noted that detailed distances are given as part of the individual train routing files.


Route train /time graphs (for 2021) are available [https://www.banenor.no/kundeportal/ruter-og-sportilgang/grafiske-togruter2/ here]
Route train /time graphs (for 2023) are available [https://www.banenor.no/togselskap/kapasitetsfordeling/grafiske-togruter/ here]
 
Daily graphical timetable [https://www.banenor.no/togselskap/kapasitetsfordeling/daglige-rutegrafer/ here] Line section and date must be selected for download.


===Printed Timetable===
===Printed Timetable===
Line 63: Line 62:


===Engineering Information===
===Engineering Information===
[https://www.vy.no/en/traffic-and-routes/traffic-info Work on the railway]. For weather reasons, the major engineering work takes place in the summer season (late June to early August).
There is no comprehensive source of information.
* Bane NOR provide a [https://www.banenor.no/reise-og-trafikk/trafikkmeldinger/ summary of current disruptions] and a [https://www.banenor.no/reise-og-trafikk/arbeid-pa-jernbanen/ list of planned work] (both in Norwegian only)
 
Individual operators list only disruptions affecting their own services:
* Vy: [https://www.vy.no/en/traffic-and-routes/traffic-info-for-train-and-bus "traffic info"]
* Go-Ahead Nordic: [https://go-aheadnordic.no/status-train-lines-and-timetables/traffic-information "traffic info"]
* SJ Norge: [https://www.sj.no/en/scheduled-maintenance/ "scheduled maintenance"]
 
For weather reasons, major engineering work takes place in the summer season (late June to early August).


==Maps==
==Maps==
===Printed Maps===
===Printed Maps===
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-E | European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition)]] by M.G. Ball.
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-E | European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition)]] by M.G. Ball.
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-R-NO-SE-FI-DK | European Railway Atlas (Regional Series - Nordic)]] by M.G. Ball.
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-R-1  | European Railway Atlas (Regional Atlas Series, Book 1: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg)]] by M.G. Ball.
*There are numerous maps of particular lines and complex areas in "Norwegian Railways from Stephenson to high speed" by Roy Owen.
*There are numerous maps of particular lines and complex areas in "Norwegian Railways from Stephenson to high speed" by Roy Owen.


===Web-based Maps===
===Web-based Maps===
*Bane NOR [http://networkstatement.jbv.no/doku.php?id=vedlegg:strekningskart map from the Network Statement] and [http://banekart.banenor.no/kart/ for detailed interactive map]   
*Bane NOR [https://networkstatement.banenor.no/doku.php?id=vedlegg:strekningskart map from the Network Statement] and [https://banekart.banenor.no/kart/ for detailed interactive map]   
*Thorsten Büker's [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_scandinavian-peninsulas.php Map of Scandinavia] NB Not updated since October 2011.
*Thorsten Büker's [https://websites.umich.edu/~yopopov/rrt/railroadmaps/norway_sweden_denmark.html Map of Scandinavia] Updated July 2023
*[https://www.openrailwaymap.org/ Open Railway map.] Zoom into Norway and this shows detailed track layouts
*[https://www.openrailwaymap.org/ Open Railway map.] Zoom into Norway and this shows detailed track layouts
*[[Maps and Plans#Norway|Maps and Plans - Norway]]
*[[Maps and Plans#Norway|Maps and Plans - Norway]]


==Ticketing==
==Ticketing==
Ticket and seat reservation purchase is now almost entirely online via [https://en-tur.no/ ENTUR], a [https://www.entur.org/about-entur/ company] owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications, which took over from NSB the sale of tickets at stations in October 2018 as part of the government’s effort to create a level playing field for all passenger operators. Only five staffed ticket offices remain - Oslo S., Oslo Lufthavn, Trondheim, Stavanger and Bergen. Tickets and reservations for Go-Ahead Nordic services can also be purchased from their [https://go-aheadnordic.no/ website]
Ticket and seat reservation purchase is now almost entirely online via [https://entur.no/ Entur], a company owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications, which took over from NSB the sale of tickets at stations in October 2018 as part of the government’s effort to create a level playing field for all passenger operators. Only five staffed ticket offices remain - Oslo S., Oslo Lufthavn, Trondheim, Stavanger and Bergen.


Seat reservations are essential on most long-distance trains and reserved seats are not indicated as such. Be aware that access to fully-booked trains without a reservation maybe denied.
Seat reservations are essential on most long-distance trains and reserved seats are not indicated as such. Be aware that access to fully-booked trains without a reservation maybe denied.
Line 93: Line 100:


===Network Statement===
===Network Statement===
[http://networkstatement.jbv.no/doku.php?id=2021 Network Statement 2021].
[https://networkstatement.banenor.no/doku.php Network Statement multiple years].


===Gauge===
===Gauge===
Line 105: Line 112:


===Distances===
===Distances===
The best source is the [http://networkstatement.jbv.no/doku.php?id=stasjoner:stasjoner_start Network Statement Stations and Lines].
The best source is the [https://networkstatement.banenor.no/doku.php?id=stasjoner:stasjoner_start   Network Statement Stations and Lines].


==Other Railways==
==Other Railways==
None, but iron ore trains to Narvik are operated by Malmtrafik AS (and Swedish company Malmtrafik AB) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swedish mining company LKAB. Passenger trains between Narvik and Sweden are again now operated by SJ, which had formed a subsidiary SJ Norrlandståg which won the contract back. Trains on the Flåm branch are operated by NSB, but commercial responsibility for the service rests with Flåm Utvikling, a company owned by local councils.
None, but iron ore trains to Narvik are operated by Malmtrafik AS (and Swedish company Malmtrafik AB) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swedish mining company LKAB. Passenger trains between Narvik and Sweden are now operated by Vy Tåg AB, a Swedish subsidiary of Norwegian Vy Tog AS, having won the contract with Swedish Trafikverket. Trains on the Flåm branch are operated by Vy, but commercial responsibility for the service rests with Flåm Utvikling, a company owned by local councils.


==Tourist lines==
==Tourist lines==
Line 129: Line 136:


==Metro==
==Metro==
[http://www.tbanen.no/ Oslo]
[https://ruter.no/ Oslo]


Details of the Metro system (T-banen) with maps appear in Robert Schwandl's "Tram Atlas Nordeuropa"; ISBN 978-3-936573-41-1, 2013.
Details of the Metro system (T-banen) with maps appear in Robert Schwandl's "Tram Atlas Nordeuropa" (ISBN 978-3-936573-63-3, 2021).


==Trams/LRT-Systems==
==Tram/LRT Systems==
[http://www.bybanen.no/ Bergen], [https://ruter.no/en/ Oslo], [https://www.boreal.no/rutetilbud/bane/grakallbanen/ Trondheim]
[https://www.bybanen.no/ Bergen], [https://ruter.no/ Oslo], [https://www.boreal.no/rutetilbud/bane/grakallbanen/ Trondheim]


Details of these Tram systems with maps and track diagrams appear in Robert Schwandl's "Tram Atlas Nordeuropa"; ISBN 978-3-936573-41-1, 2013.
Details of these tram systems with maps and track diagrams appear in Robert Schwandl's "Tram Atlas Nordeuropa" (ISBN 978-3-936573-63-3, 2021).


Track plans for the Bergen, Oslo and Trondheim tram systems are available on the [http://www.gleisplanweb.eu/ Gleisplanweb site].
Track plans for the Bergen, Oslo and Trondheim tram systems are available on the [https://www.gleisplanweb.eu/ Gleisplanweb site].


See also [[Norway_-_Tram_services_over_obscure_routes|Norway - Tram services over obscure routes]]
See also [[Norway_-_Tram_services_over_obscure_routes|Norway - Tram services over obscure routes]]


==Recent and Future Changes==
==Recent and Future Changes==
In January 2017 the responsibilities of the public rail authority Jernbaneverket were split. A new organisation [http://www.banenor.no/ Bane NOR] deals with day to day management of infrastructure, while a Government Railway Directorate is responsible for the specification and management of main line passenger services. It is intended to introduce competitive tendering of passenger services during 2017.   
In January 2017 the responsibilities of the public rail authority Jernbaneverket were split. [https://www.banenor.no/ Bane NOR] deals with day to day management of infrastructure, while [https://www.jernbanedirektoratet.no/ Jernbanedirektoratet] (Railway Directorate, a government office) is responsible for the specification and management of main line passenger services. Competitive tendering of passenger services started during 2017.   


===Recent Changes===
===Recent Changes===
Line 159: Line 166:
14 December 2020: The 830m spur to Notodden Kollectiv Terminal re-opened following electrification and the original out of town Notodden station closed again. Services on the branch from Porsgrunn (Hjuskebø) had reverted to the original Notodden station on 10 August 2015, having previously used the above new station (alongside the bus terminal and closer to the town centre on an unelectrified spur line) since 25 August 2004. The entire branch had been threatened with closure at the December 2014 timetable change but funding was obtained for the service to continue. A NOK 7.5 million renovation of the closed line to Tinnoset was authorised at the same time as the electrification to Notodden Kollectiv Terminal.
14 December 2020: The 830m spur to Notodden Kollectiv Terminal re-opened following electrification and the original out of town Notodden station closed again. Services on the branch from Porsgrunn (Hjuskebø) had reverted to the original Notodden station on 10 August 2015, having previously used the above new station (alongside the bus terminal and closer to the town centre on an unelectrified spur line) since 25 August 2004. The entire branch had been threatened with closure at the December 2014 timetable change but funding was obtained for the service to continue. A NOK 7.5 million renovation of the closed line to Tinnoset was authorised at the same time as the electrification to Notodden Kollectiv Terminal.
   
   
04 October 2020: Oslo Tramway routes 13/19 Björvika – Oslo Hospital (0.7 km) opened.  
04 October 2020: Oslo Tramway routes 13/19 Björvika – Oslo Hospital (0.7 km) opened.


The 22.5 km new double-track Larvik (Farriseidet) - Porsgrunn line, part of the Vestfoldbane Project, opened on 24 September 2018.
====Closures====
 
7 August 2023: Owing to heavy rainfall, the Randklev bridge over the river Gudbrandsdalslågen, immediately south of Ringebu, collapsed. As a result, the Dovrebane between Oslo and Trondheim was initially closed north of Lillehammer. As at December 2023, a few trains now operate as far north as Fåvang (about 10km south of Ringebu) and north of Ringebu, with a bus connection between them.  
Bergen's light rail line, Bybanen, between Byparken in the city and Nesttun, opened on 22 June 2010, extended to Rådal (Lagunen) opened on 22 June 2013 and to Birkelandsskiftet on 15 August 2016. A further two-stop extension to Bergen Airport, Flesland, opened on 22 April 2017. The new depot is at Kokstadflaten close to the airport. [http://nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/hordaland/1.7167110 A film of the route is available].
 
The most recent extension of Oslo T-Banen (= Metro) was the Lørenbane (Line 4), linking Sinsen on the Ring Line with Økern on the Vestli line, which opened on 3 April 2016; this resulted in several changes to line numbers. Smestad – Åsjordet opened 18 August 2008, extended to Gjønnes by December 2012, and completed to Kolsås on 12 October 2014. T-Banen had been extended to form a circle (lines 4/6) on 21 August 2006 when Storo – Carl Berners plass opened; the first section, Ullevål Stadion – Storo, opened on 20 August 2003. The Kolsås line (line 2) has been rebuilt to full Metro standard.
 
Mysen - Rakkestad was reopened on 14 December 2015 after a year long closure.
 
The 4.4 km Gevingåsen Tunnel between Hommelvik and Hell, north of Trondheim, was opened on 15 August 2011
 
Doubling of Stavanger – Sandnes was completed on 14 December 2009.
 
The Setesdalsbanen tourist line was extended from Beihølen to Røyknes in 2004 and an extension within Røyknes opened on 5 September 2008.


The Gardermobanen from Oslo to Eidsvoll via the Romeriksporten tunnel, Lillestrøm and Gardermoen Airport opened on 13 June 2004.
====Closures====
12 December 2020: The Ulriken Tunnel (Arna - Fløen (Bergen), opened in 1964) was temporarily closed. Single track tunnel to be renovated and re-opened in June 2023.
12 December 2020: The Ulriken Tunnel (Arna - Fløen (Bergen), opened in 1964) was temporarily closed. Single track tunnel to be renovated and re-opened in June 2023.


Line 184: Line 177:
03 October 2020: Oslo Tramway closed St. Halvards plass - Jernbanetorget (Routes 13/19.
03 October 2020: Oslo Tramway closed St. Halvards plass - Jernbanetorget (Routes 13/19.


The existing Larvik (Farriseidet) - Porsgrunn line closed on 7 August 2018, in preparation for the opening of the new line.
===Older Changes===
For details of older changes dating back to the year 2004 see [[Norway - Older General Information]].


The existing line between Hommelvik and Hell via Muruvik closed with the opening of the Gevingåsen Tunnel on 15 August 2011.
===Future Changes===
As at December 2023 the destroyed Randklev bridge over the river Gudbrandsdalslågen, immediately south of Ringebu, is expected to open some time between Spring and Summer 2024. The timetable valid from 10 December 2023 to 2 June 2024 is indicating closure over the timetable period.


Passenger traffic was withdrawn south of Rakkestad (on the line from Oslo to Sarpsborg via Mysen) on 15 June 2003 and between Mysen and Rakkestad on 14 December 2014 - although the latter section reopened exactly a year later. Rakkestad  to Sarpsborg is now used as the proving ground for ERTMS.
Passenger traffic between Dal and Eidsvoll by the Hovedbanen, the old main line, was withdrawn on 13 June 2004; the line remains open for freight traffic.
===Future Changes===
In May 2023 Bergen city council approved plans for the construction of a 12.7 km extension of the Bybanen light rail network from Kaigaten in the city centre northwards to Vågsbotn in Åsane. Construction should start in 2024, with completion in 2032 at the earliest.
In May 2023 Bergen city council approved plans for the construction of a 12.7 km extension of the Bybanen light rail network from Kaigaten in the city centre northwards to Vågsbotn in Åsane. Construction should start in 2024, with completion in 2032 at the earliest.


There are a number of projects in the Bane NOR portfolio. [http://www.banenor.no/en/startpage1/Projects/ Some projects are presented in English], but there are [http://www.banenor.no/Prosjekter/ more in Norwegian]:
It is planned to electrify the following lines, with battery locomotive operation, on some sections. The priority order is:<br>
(1) The the Nordland line (Trondheim -) Stjørdal - Mo i Rana - Bodø, (2) the Røros line (Hamar - Røros - Støren) and (3) the Solør line (Kongsvinger - Elverum).<br>
It is not planned to electrify the Rauma line (Dombås - Åndalsnes).


There are a number of projects in the Bane NOR portfolio. [http://www.banenor.no/en/startpage1/Projects/ Some projects are presented in English], but there are [http://www.banenor.no/Prosjekter/ more in Norwegian].
* Electrification of Stavne - Leangen, Trondheim S - Stjørdal and Hell - Storlien(SE) started in early 2021, with completion scheduled for December 2024.  
* Electrification of Stavne - Leangen, Trondheim S - Stjørdal and Hell - Storlien(SE) started in early 2021, with completion scheduled for December 2024.  
* The Follo Line Project: south of Ski, work began in October 2020 under a contract signed on June 28, 2019 for a new 10.3 km section of double track line from Sandbukta to Såstad, replacing the existing sinuous single track alignment. The new route will include two tunnels of 2 700 m and 2 300 m and a new Moss station with 800 m long platforms, and is due to be completed by December 2024.   
* The Follo Line Project: south of Ski, work began in October 2020 under a contract signed on June 28, 2019 for a new 10.3 km section of double track line from Sandbukta to Såstad, replacing the existing sinuous single track alignment. The new route will include two tunnels of 2 700 m and 2 300 m and a new Moss station with 800 m long platforms, and is due to be completed by December 2024.   
Line 207: Line 201:
* A new double track line between Gulskogen and Hokksund eliminating the current route through Steinberg
* A new double track line between Gulskogen and Hokksund eliminating the current route through Steinberg
* The Ringerike Line and E16. A new 40 km double track line between Sandvika and Hønefoss, part of which will be a joint project with the new E16 road. This will reduce the journey time between Oslo and Hønefoss/Bergen by an hour. Construction is expected to start in 2021/2022.
* The Ringerike Line and E16. A new 40 km double track line between Sandvika and Hønefoss, part of which will be a joint project with the new E16 road. This will reduce the journey time between Oslo and Hønefoss/Bergen by an hour. Construction is expected to start in 2021/2022.
* Electrification of Støren - Røros - Elverum - Hamar and Kongsvinger has been recommended as a means of providing increased capacity for freight between Trondheim and southern Norway / Sweden.
* The Norwegian parliament approved funding in December 2015 for planning the doubling of Narvik - Kiruna.
* The Norwegian parliament approved funding in December 2015 for planning the doubling of Narvik - Kiruna.
The outcome was published in 2012 of a study undertaken by NSB at the behest of the Ministry of Transport on the possibility of constructing high-speed railway lines in Southern Norway. The lines reviewed were:
*1. Oslo - Bergen
*2. Oslo - Trondheim
*3. Oslo - Kristiansand - Stavanger
*4. Oslo - Göteborg
*5. Oslo - Stockholm
*6. Bergen - Haugesund - Stavanger in combination with 1 and 3
No one line emerged as the most viable but Oslo - Kristiansand - Stavanger would be carry the largest number of passengers. [http://www.banenor.no/en/startpage1/Projects/High-speed-rail-services-can-be-run-on-a-commercially-viable-basis/ The precis can be read here (in English)]


Extensive re-alignments and new lines have been built to improve journey times. The line from Oslo to Sarpsborg via Moss has been rebuilt over much of its length. Work on the Bergen line has included construction of a long tunnel below the summit at Finse.
Extensive re-alignments and new lines have been built to improve journey times. The line from Oslo to Sarpsborg via Moss has been rebuilt over much of its length. Work on the Bergen line has included construction of a long tunnel below the summit at Finse.
Line 236: Line 220:
*Dokka - Bjørgo
*Dokka - Bjørgo
*Ganddal - Figgjo - Ålgård; track cut at Figgjo (9 km)
*Ganddal - Figgjo - Ålgård; track cut at Figgjo (9 km)
Additional vowels come at the end of the Norwegian alphabet, with Æ, Ø and Å following Z in that order. Accordingly, Åsen comes last in the index of Norwegian railway stations and Mære is further down the list than Mysen.


==See also==
==See also==
{{Navbox Norway}}
{{Navbox Norway}}
[[Category:General Information]]

Revision as of 18:50, 18 March 2024

Country Name

Norway (Norge)

National Railway System

Vy, formerly Norges Statsbaner (NSB). The NSB Group was renamed the Vy Group on 24 April 2019. The company is owned by the Norwegian government via the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The train service between Oslo and Gardermoen Airport is operated by a subsidiary company, NSB Gardermobanen AS, since re-named 'Flytoget'. The Linx company, jointly owned by SJ and NSB, which operated services between Norway and Sweden, was liquidated and ceased operations on 8 January 2005. Since then, through services Stockholm - Oslo have been operated by SJ. Oslo - Göteborg is operated by NSB in cooperation with Svenska Tågkompaniet (TKAB), and in 2007 NSB acquired full ownership of TKAB, which has been renamed to Vy Tåg AB.

Competition is being introduced on main line passenger services. Invitations to tender for the first passenger train operating contract were issued to prequalified bidders by Jernbanedirektoratet on 12 October 2017, when the national railway agency also announced plans for further competitive tendering. This first contract, Lot 1 Sør, covered inter-city services on the Sørlandet line to Stavanger, Jærbanen local services from Stavanger, and the Arendal branch. The contract was awarded to Go-Ahead Norge AS, branded as Go-Ahead Nordic, on 30 October 2018 and came into effect on 15 December 2019.

The SJ Norge AS subsidiary of Sweden’s national passenger operator was awarded the Lot 2 Nord operating contract on 17 June 2019. The contract covers long-distance passenger services on the Dovrebanen and Nordlandsbanen routes from Oslo to Trondheim and Bodø, as well as the Rørosbanen, Raumabanen, Trønderbanen, Meråkerbanen, and Saltenpendelen regional services and runs for 10 years from 08 June 2020.

The Lot 3 Vest operating contract, covering long-distance passenger services from Bergen to Voss, Myrdal and Oslo, and local services between Bergen and Arna was awarded to Vy Tog on 09 December 2019. The nine year contract running from 13 December 2020, has an optional two year extension, but does not include the passenger services on the Flåm branch which are operated under a separate contract between line manager Flåm Utvikling and the national operator until December 2029 with an optional two year extension.

The Lot 4 contract covering services around Oslo, expected to be awarded in 2020, was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was to be tendered in January 2021 with contract award in early 2022 and take over of services from the December 2023 timetable change, but the process is stopped, and Vy will retain the traffic. Lot 5 covering Inter-City services is yet to be defined.

It should be noted that during the Norwegian summer holiday period (from late June to early August) a reduced service is run over some lines, particularly in the Oslo area where suburban and metro services are affected. Major engineering works requiring line closures are also often scheduled for this period of reduced local demand.

National Railway Operator

  • Vygruppen AS (Vy), formerly Norges Statsbaner (NSB).

Other Railway Operators:

Language

Norwegian. There are two forms of Norwegian, Bokmål and Nynorsk. Bokmål predominates, with Nynorsk used mainly in western fjord and central mountain areas.
Additional vowels come at the end of the Norwegian alphabet, with Æ, Ø and Å following Z in that order. Accordingly, Åsen comes last in the index of Norwegian railway stations and Mære is further down the list than Mysen.

Currency

Norwegian Krone

UIC code

NSB: numeric 76; alpha N

Timetable

Timetables are issued by Vy in December and June, the other operators annually in December.

Journey Planner

Vy (English version) or Entur covering all operators.

Downloadable Timetable

There does not appear to a website providing timetables for all operators; each operator provides timetables for their own services only:

Working (Staff) Timetable

The working timetable is available on the Bane NOR website here.

  • Tjenesterutebøker R23 contains what are termed "current (gjeldende)" timetables for 2023 for individual trains by operator

It should be noted that detailed distances are given as part of the individual train routing files.

Route train /time graphs (for 2023) are available here

Daily graphical timetable here Line section and date must be selected for download.

Printed Timetable

Vy does not publish a single comprehensive timetable or printed leaflets and the "Rutebok for Norge" is no longer printed.

Engineering Information

There is no comprehensive source of information.

Individual operators list only disruptions affecting their own services:

For weather reasons, major engineering work takes place in the summer season (late June to early August).

Maps

Printed Maps

Web-based Maps

Ticketing

Ticket and seat reservation purchase is now almost entirely online via Entur, a company owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications, which took over from NSB the sale of tickets at stations in October 2018 as part of the government’s effort to create a level playing field for all passenger operators. Only five staffed ticket offices remain - Oslo S., Oslo Lufthavn, Trondheim, Stavanger and Bergen.

Seat reservations are essential on most long-distance trains and reserved seats are not indicated as such. Be aware that access to fully-booked trains without a reservation maybe denied.

Suburban trains, such as in the Oslo area, have carriages marked "betjent" or "ubetjent",the former denoting in which carriage the conductor travels (for on-train ticket purchase or validation). Ticketless travel or use of an unvalidated ticket in an "ubetjent" carriage is subject to a penalty.

On some services First and Second Class accommodation has been redesignated Økonomiklasse (Economy) and Kontorklasse (Business), but on many trains only Second or Economy Class is provided. First or Kontorklasse accommodation is generally not indicated by a yellow stripe on the outside of vehicles. Couchettes are not provided on internal overnight trains, but sleeping cars have up to three berths per compartment.

Premium fares are charged on the Flytoget "Airport Express" service between Drammen, Oslo and Gardermoen Airport, InterRail and similar tickets are not valid. In addition, ordinary NSB trains run between Oslo and the Airport twice hourly.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

Infrastructure is owned and managed by a public authority, Bane NOR.

Network Statement

Network Statement multiple years.

Gauge

Standard

Electrification

15 kV 16.7 Hz.

Rule of the road

Right, but almost all lines in Norway outside the Oslo suburban area are single track.

Distances

The best source is the Network Statement Stations and Lines.

Other Railways

None, but iron ore trains to Narvik are operated by Malmtrafik AS (and Swedish company Malmtrafik AB) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swedish mining company LKAB. Passenger trains between Narvik and Sweden are now operated by Vy Tåg AB, a Swedish subsidiary of Norwegian Vy Tog AS, having won the contract with Swedish Trafikverket. Trains on the Flåm branch are operated by Vy, but commercial responsibility for the service rests with Flåm Utvikling, a company owned by local councils.

Tourist lines

(Standard gauge unless shown otherwise)

There is a listing of Norwegian narrow gauge tourist lines on the Scandinavian Railways Society website.

Rail cycling is possible on a number of lines; see the IG Draisinenfahrten website. Click on 'International', followed by 'Draisinenlinks' to obtain website details under the heading 'Draisinenstrecken in Norwegen (NO)'.

Metro

Oslo

Details of the Metro system (T-banen) with maps appear in Robert Schwandl's "Tram Atlas Nordeuropa" (ISBN 978-3-936573-63-3, 2021).

Tram/LRT Systems

Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim

Details of these tram systems with maps and track diagrams appear in Robert Schwandl's "Tram Atlas Nordeuropa" (ISBN 978-3-936573-63-3, 2021).

Track plans for the Bergen, Oslo and Trondheim tram systems are available on the Gleisplanweb site.

See also Norway - Tram services over obscure routes

Recent and Future Changes

In January 2017 the responsibilities of the public rail authority Jernbaneverket were split. Bane NOR deals with day to day management of infrastructure, while Jernbanedirektoratet (Railway Directorate, a government office) is responsible for the specification and management of main line passenger services. Competitive tendering of passenger services started during 2017.

Recent Changes

Line Openings (Latest first)

11 December 2022 - the new Follobane high speed line between Oslo and Ski opened to public traffic. Unusually, the ceremonial opening took place the following day. However it was closed on 19 December following a fire at Ski, and reopened on 5 March 2023.
It includes the 19.5 km Blix tunnel, the longest in the Nordic region. Completion was scheduled for Dec 2021 but the contracts were cancelled after the contractors had financial difficulties. (See Follobanen Link and Timeline). Considerable re-modelling of the eastern end of Oslo Sentral station was required, with realignment or closure of existing links. A new 600m tunnel/covered way was constructed at Middelalderparken to Ekebergåsen see and the current Østfold line diverted into a new tunnel on the approach to Oslo S. after completion of the summer 2021 work. At Ski, Østfoldbanen trains were diverted on 31 August 2020 to the new Follobane platforms on the western side of the station to allow the existing eastern station to be rebuilt.

21 November 2022 - Public operation on the new 9 km Bergen Tram Line 2 to Fyllingsdalen commenced after an opening ceremony on 18 November 2022.

21 June 2021 - Oslo Trams resumed use of the northern section of Storgata, with the diversionary loop, to the south, and the associated stop at Lilletorget ceasing in regular use.

13 December 2020: The new 7.8 km Ny Ulriken tunnel between Arna and Fløen (Bergen) opened. The old tunnel was then closed for upgrading. Double track from Fløen to Bergen is due to be completed in 2024, along with new access to the Nygårdstangen freight terminal, which will also be re-modelled as part of the work.

14 December 2020: The 830m spur to Notodden Kollectiv Terminal re-opened following electrification and the original out of town Notodden station closed again. Services on the branch from Porsgrunn (Hjuskebø) had reverted to the original Notodden station on 10 August 2015, having previously used the above new station (alongside the bus terminal and closer to the town centre on an unelectrified spur line) since 25 August 2004. The entire branch had been threatened with closure at the December 2014 timetable change but funding was obtained for the service to continue. A NOK 7.5 million renovation of the closed line to Tinnoset was authorised at the same time as the electrification to Notodden Kollectiv Terminal.

04 October 2020: Oslo Tramway routes 13/19 Björvika – Oslo Hospital (0.7 km) opened.

Closures

7 August 2023: Owing to heavy rainfall, the Randklev bridge over the river Gudbrandsdalslågen, immediately south of Ringebu, collapsed. As a result, the Dovrebane between Oslo and Trondheim was initially closed north of Lillehammer. As at December 2023, a few trains now operate as far north as Fåvang (about 10km south of Ringebu) and north of Ringebu, with a bus connection between them.

12 December 2020: The Ulriken Tunnel (Arna - Fløen (Bergen), opened in 1964) was temporarily closed. Single track tunnel to be renovated and re-opened in June 2023.

December 2020: Notodden old station closed.

03 October 2020: Oslo Tramway closed St. Halvards plass - Jernbanetorget (Routes 13/19.

Older Changes

For details of older changes dating back to the year 2004 see Norway - Older General Information.

Future Changes

As at December 2023 the destroyed Randklev bridge over the river Gudbrandsdalslågen, immediately south of Ringebu, is expected to open some time between Spring and Summer 2024. The timetable valid from 10 December 2023 to 2 June 2024 is indicating closure over the timetable period.

In May 2023 Bergen city council approved plans for the construction of a 12.7 km extension of the Bybanen light rail network from Kaigaten in the city centre northwards to Vågsbotn in Åsane. Construction should start in 2024, with completion in 2032 at the earliest.

It is planned to electrify the following lines, with battery locomotive operation, on some sections. The priority order is:
(1) The the Nordland line (Trondheim -) Stjørdal - Mo i Rana - Bodø, (2) the Røros line (Hamar - Røros - Støren) and (3) the Solør line (Kongsvinger - Elverum).
It is not planned to electrify the Rauma line (Dombås - Åndalsnes).

There are a number of projects in the Bane NOR portfolio. Some projects are presented in English, but there are more in Norwegian.

  • Electrification of Stavne - Leangen, Trondheim S - Stjørdal and Hell - Storlien(SE) started in early 2021, with completion scheduled for December 2024.
  • The Follo Line Project: south of Ski, work began in October 2020 under a contract signed on June 28, 2019 for a new 10.3 km section of double track line from Sandbukta to Såstad, replacing the existing sinuous single track alignment. The new route will include two tunnels of 2 700 m and 2 300 m and a new Moss station with 800 m long platforms, and is due to be completed by December 2024.
  • Drammen – Tønsberg – Larvik – Porsgrunn (Vestfoldbanen Project): 2016 Intercity Plan has double track to Tonsberg for completion by 2024-2026 and onwards to Larvik by 2032.
  • By June 2015 the upgraded Drammen to Holm section was in use. The 14.3 km Holm – Holmestrand – Nykirke cut-off, including a replacement underground station replacing the existing line through Holmestrand opened on 28 November 2016. The realigned and double tracked Barkåker – Tønsberg tunnel section was formally opened on 19 November 2011. The new connections result in services now using the complete circle round Tønsberg in the opposite direction to that previously taken - see Maps and Plans - Norway.
  • Bane NOR is constructing a new 10km double track route from Drammen to Kobbervikdalen with new stations in Drammen and Gulskogen, for completion in 2024, with the 13.6km Nykirke – Barkåker double-track section to follow in 2025.
  • Two long tunneled sections have been constructed between Skøyen and Asker. The first section, Sandvika – Asker, was completed in 2005; rebuilding of Lysaker station was completed in 2009; the new Baerum Tunnel between Lysaker and Sandvika opened on 28 August 2011; the original Lysaker - Sandvika line reopened on 13 December 2015 after being closed for 15 months for reconstruction. Work on the last section, Skøyen – Lysaker, was due to start in 2015 at the earliest, appears to be in abeyance.
  • Doubling of Eidsvoll - Hamar (the Dovre line) on a new alignment is planned by 2024, with the Minnesund - Steinsrud section jointly with the E6 road development. A new 17 km double track route from Langset (just north of Minnesund) to Kleverud (south of Espa) opened on 1 December 2015. Construction work on the 13km Venjar – Eidsvoll – Langset section is continuing while work will start on the 1.8km Kleverud – Sørli section in 2021. Planning is also underway on the 14km Sørli – Åkersvika section of the Oslo – Lillehammer line.
  • Oslo - Bergen: In December 2015 the government announced plans to double the main line and reconstruct the section between Arna and Voss, starting with the Arna - Stangehlle section, mostly in tunnel to overcome problems caused by avalanches and mud slides. The old Ulriken tunnel between Arna and Fløen (Bergen) is closed for upgrading. When this is completed in 2024, double track will be available between Arna and Bergen.
  • A new double track line between Gulskogen and Hokksund eliminating the current route through Steinberg
  • The Ringerike Line and E16. A new 40 km double track line between Sandvika and Hønefoss, part of which will be a joint project with the new E16 road. This will reduce the journey time between Oslo and Hønefoss/Bergen by an hour. Construction is expected to start in 2021/2022.
  • The Norwegian parliament approved funding in December 2015 for planning the doubling of Narvik - Kiruna.

Extensive re-alignments and new lines have been built to improve journey times. The line from Oslo to Sarpsborg via Moss has been rebuilt over much of its length. Work on the Bergen line has included construction of a long tunnel below the summit at Finse.

Special notes

NSB carriages do not work outside Norway and Sweden because they are larger than UIC standard loading gauge.

The following lines are listed as temporarily closed to traffic; infrastructure is maintained only enough to allow inspection by a measuring vehicle.

  • (Grong -) Skogmo - Namsos
  • Notodden - Tinnoset
  • Eina - Dokka

The following lines are listed as closed to traffic; they are not part of the National Norwegian Network and are not maintained. However track is in situ.

  • Sira - Flekkefjord; the loading gauge is smaller than standard
  • (Kongsberg -) Rollag - Rødberg
  • Neslandsvatn - Sannidal
  • Dokka - Bjørgo
  • Ganddal - Figgjo - Ålgård; track cut at Figgjo (9 km)

See also

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