Norway - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable dated from 10 December 2023, unless otherwise shown. Timetables on different routes have different end dates, but similar services are likely to operate for the rest of the timetable year. Standard abbreviations are explained here.

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "ERA-R" refer to the European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 1) by M.G. Ball.

Obscure services

Oslo Sentral - Ski

(ERA-E 5A2, not shown; ERA-R 1B4) NO24/1

Following the opening of the Follobanen on 11 December 2022, there are two routes between Oslo Sentral and Ski:

• the old main line (Østfoldbanen): used by services calling intermediately (route L2 only)
• the Follobanen, through the Blix Tunnel: expected to be used by all services running non-stop between Oslo and Ski or beyond (routes R21, R22, RE20)

There are complex grade-separated junctions at both ends of the Blix Tunnel, to avoid conflicting moves; these connections and the services using them are detailed below.

Blix Tunnel: northern connections - Oslo

(ERA-E 5A2, not shown; ERA-R 1B4) NO24/2

As at late May 2023:

• the L2 was the only through service from Ski to stations west of Oslo Central. Northbound towards Oslo L2 trains left the Østfoldbanen some way south of Oslo Sentral via the also new connecting Kongshavntunnelen line 082 as per the OpenRailwayMap description to join the Blix Tunnel and the diveunder to platform 3; southbound, L2 trains went from Oslo Sentral platform 13 at ground level to the east side old Østfoldbanen tunnel route.
• The second diveunder to/from platforms 9/10 at Oslo Sentral was closed for engineering work so
• Arrivals or departures at Oslo from Ski via the Follobanen were using either the most westernmost and separate line 084 to/from the high numbered bay platforms, or [believed temporarily] the diveunder used by the L2 service to access low numbered platforms.

Blix Tunnel: southern connections - Ski

(ERA-E 5A2, not shown; ERA-R 1B4) NO24/3

As at late May 2023:

• the L2 in both directions to/from the Østfoldbanen used a realigned double track route over the Blix Tunnel to/from Ski tracks 5 and 6
• access to/from the Blix Tunnel is NOT grade separated but
• there are grade separated connections to/from the Østfoldbanen allowing easier access to/from lower numbered platforms; these are believed to not have any scheduled services but are available for periods of disruption. Note the northbound connection is unusual, as it is initially in tunnel underneath both the Østfoldbanen and then the Follobanen routes before climbing in the open to join the Østfoldbanen. Rakkestad services are unlikely to use these grade separated connections, even during disruption, as they must use tracks 5 and 6 at Ski.

Oslo Sentral – Lillestrøm (via Romeriksporten Tunnel)

(ERA-E 5A2; ERA-R 1B4) NO24/4

There are two routes between Oslo Sentral and Lillestrøm:

• the old main line (Hovedbanen): used by services calling intermediately (route L1 only)
• the Gardermobanen via the Romeriksporten Tunnel: expected to be used by all services running non-stop between Oslo Sentral and Lillestrøm or beyond (routes RE10, RE11, R12, R13, R14; Oslo - Trondheim; Oslo - Stockholm)

Tunnelled single track connections to avoid conflicting moves exist at both ends of the tunnel: two at the eastern (Lillestrøm) end allow running to and from the Hovedbane, while at the western end there is an additional single connection to the Hovedbane. These connections and the services using them are detailed below.

Romeriksporten Tunnel: eastern connections - Lillestrøm

[R14, R13 (WB)] (ERA-E 5A2, not shown; ERA-R 1B4, not shown) NO24/5

These connections are used by trains between Oslo Sentral and Lillestrøm tracks 6-9 via the Romeriksporten Tunnel, to avoid conflicting moves with Gardermobanen line trains using Lillestrøm tracks 1-4:

• eastbound: Oslo - Stockholm intercity services, Oslo - Kongsvinger (route R14) services
• westbound: Oslo - Stockholm intercity services, Oslo - Kongsvinger (route R14) services, Dal - Oslo (route R13) services

Note that eastbound Oslo - Dal (R13) services use Lillestrøm track 4 and crossovers at the east end of Lillestrøm station.

Click on the thumbnail for a diagram:

Romeriksporten Tunnel: western connection - Oslo Sentral

(ERA-E 5A2, not shown; ERA-R 1B4, not shown) NO24/6

Non-stop trains from Lillestrøm or beyond and Oslo Sentral run via the Romeriksporten Tunnel, but have different routes to exit the western end of the tunnel as different parts of Oslo Sentral station are served, depending on whether they terminate there or continue through the City tunnel towards Drammen.

Non-stop services from Lillestrøm or beyond terminating in the south side tracks (typically tracks 14-15) at Oslo Sentral run via the main Romeriksporten Tunnel exit to join the Gjøvikbane (the southern pair of tracks).

Non-stop trains from Lillestrøm or beyond and running beyond Oslo Sentral through the City Tunnel towards Drammen use the Romeriksporten Tunnel but take the single track cut-off tunnel branching from the main tunnel some 400m short of its western exit to join the Hovedbane (old main line; the northern pair of tracks) to access the through platforms on the north side of Oslo Sentral (typically track 2). However, this link is only available westbound: eastbound through services use track 13, the most southerly of the through platforms at Oslo Sentral, and then the southern route via the Gjøvikbane and the main Romeriksporten Tunnel.

Click on the thumbnail for a diagram:

Dal – Eidsvoll

[R12, R13] (ERA-E 5A2; ERA-R 1B5) NO24/7

Trains between Oslo and Eidsvoll run via Oslo Lufthavn Gardermoen (the Gardermobane) except the following, which runs via Dal, on the Hovedbane (old main line).

1679

Drammen - 01:31 Dal - Eidsvoll

Åneby

[F4] (ERA-E 5A2; ERA-R 1A5-1B5) NO24/8

Åneby station is on the Oslo - Gjøvik line, south of Roa. The layout comprises a passing loop, with the two tracks extending southwards some distance; track 1 is on the east side, in a cutting, with track 2 a little distance to the west, partly in tunnel. Most trains in both directions use track 2 as it is much straighter, so the only guaranteed way of travelling on the non-tunnel route is by a train scheduled to call at track 1 at Åneby. When checked on the Vy website in mid-December 2023, a typical weekday had the following trains advertised to call at track 1: departures northbound from Oslo S at 07:44, 11:44, 15:22, 16:22, 17:44, 18:24, 19:44, 20:24; departures southbound from Åneby at 06:34, 07:35, 17:34, 19:34. Planned track assignments can be changed without notice during a timetable period, so intending travellers should check details before travelling.

Roa – Hønefoss

[F4] (ERA-E 5A2; ERA-R 1A5-1B5) NO24/9

This alternative route for Oslo - Bergen line trains is used when the main line via Drammen is closed for engineering work - see [Vy "traffic info"]. It was used by weekend relief trains until June 2006 but now has no regular service. Note that Hønefoss is a V-shaped station, so that travel further west is required for full coverage.

A long-term programme of refurbishment work in the Lieråsen tunnel, between Asker and Drammen, has included closures of the main line via Drammen for extended periods each summer in recent years; the 2023 dates were from 24 June to 6 August inclusive. All trains between Oslo and the Bergen main line were diverted via Roa – Hønefoss, running non-stop between Oslo and Hønefoss. As of mid-December 2023, it is likely that a similar diversion period will apply in 2024, but this has not been confirmed, and if so the dates are not yet known.

Lysaker – Sandvika

(ERA-E 5A2; ERA-R 1B4) NO24/10

Trains running non-stop between Lysaker and Sandvika can be expected to use the Baerum Tunnel but trains calling intermediately must run via the old main line.

Sandvika – Asker

(ERA-E 5A2; ERA-R 1B4-1A4) NO24/11

Trains running non-stop between Sandvika and Asker can be expected to use the 9.5 km long direct line, mostly in tunnel, whereas trains calling intermediately must run via the old main line.

Djupvik

[30] (ERA-E 2B5; ERA-R 1A3) NO24/12

Djupvik lies just east of Narvik. It is bypassed by the 1 km long Brennhaugen tunnel, opened in November 2017. The station is closed so trains may run via either the tunnel or the station, depending on operating requirements.

Katterat

[30] (ERA-E 2B5; ERA-R 1A3) NO24/13

Katterat lies on the Narvik - Riksgränsen (- Kiruna) line. It is bypassed by the 1 km long Hundals tunnel, opened in 2002. The Narvik <> Stockholm train, which does not call at Katterat, may run via either the tunnel or the station depending on operating requirements.

Gamle Vossebane: Garnes - Tunes

(ERA-E 4A3; ERA-R 7A5) NO24/14

Trains run over the Gamle Vossebane line east of Garnes, to Tunes halt, once a year on Stordriftsdag (Large scale operation day) held on the European Culture Memorial Day in September. See the Stordriftsdag page. It is possible that they run beyond Tunes halt to the gate marking the boundary with Bane NOR. The compilers would appreciate reports on this.

Trams

See Norway - Tram services over obscure routes

Other sparse services

The following lines have few trains (relative to service levels generally) – fewer than three trains each way, on at least three days a week - or do not run every day:

R55 (Vy)	(Porsgrunn -) Skien – Nordagutu – Notodden	Runs SSuX
R70 (SJ Norge)	(Trondheim –) Marienborg – Lerkendal	Runs SSuX, not late June - early August (check dates)
R71 (SJ Norge)	Hell – Storlien (Sweden)	2 trains each way daily
F8 (Vy)	Narvik – Riksgränsen – Kiruna (Sweden)	Check Swedish timetables, table 30

Deletions since previous edition

R22 (Vy)	Mysen – Rakkestad	service now runs daily
	Alnabru – Grefsen	Historiske Togreiser "Nordmarka rundt" excursions ceased

See also

The Norsk Jernbanemuseum and Historiske Togreiser occasionally run excursion trains over unusual routes.