Setesdalsbanen
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Setesdalsbanen.jpg
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History
The Setesdalsbanen is a railroad between Kristiansand and Byglandsfjord in southern Norway. 78 km long. Built with a narrow gauge of 3 1/2 feet (1067 mm). Opened to Hægeland November 26 1895, to Byglandsfjord November 27 1896. Stations along the line included Mosby, Vennesla, Grovene (Grovane), Iveland and Hægeland.
When Sørlandsbanen was opened to Kristiansand in 1938, Grovane became the new terminal station for Setesdalsbanen, with connection to Sørlandsbanen.
Setesdalsbanen was suspended from September 1, 1962, and the track was demolished between Byglandsfjord and Beihølen. The 6 km line between Beihølen and Grovane was, however, preserved by local enthusiasts. The Setesdalsbanen Hobby Club was established already in 1964.
Today, Setesdalsbanen is a railway museum with steam trains trafficing the 8 km line between Grovane and Røyknes. Four steam locomotives from 1894-1902 are preserved, along with a number of passenger and freight cars.
The preserved locomotives
Narrow gauge steam locomotives
- Type XXI number 1, built at Dübs & Co. in 1894. This engine is not operational.
- Type XXI number 2, built at Dübs & Co. in 1894. This engine is currently not in service due to a minor damage.
- Type XXI number 5, built at Thunes Mekaniske Værksted in 1901. This engine is fully operational.
- Type XXII number 6, built at Thunes Mekaniske Værksted in 1902. This engine is fully operational.
Narrow gauge diesel locomotives
- SJ Z4t number 227, built in 1950. Bought from the SJ in 1976.
- SJ Z4t number 307, built in 1952. Bought from the SJ in 1981.
Narrow gauge railcars
- Cmbo 1 number 2672, built in 1932 at Strømmens Verksted. 56 passengers. This railcar is not operational.
- Cmdo Sulitelma, built in 1957 at Strømmens Verksted. 56 passengers. Transferred to Setesdalsbanen after the closure of Sulitjelmabanen. This railcar is currently not in service due to a minor damage, but is expected to be back in service in 2005.
Standard gauge diesel locomotives
These locomotives are only used for shunting at areas with dual gauge track.
Stations and stops
The following stations and stops exist at the railway museum:
| Name | Type | Distance from Oslo V (km) | Length (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grovane | Station | 345.25 | |
| Rugåna | Steel bridge | 345.40 | 13.6 |
| Store bu | Siding | 345.69 | |
| Grovane | Stop | 345.80 | |
| Grovane | Level crossing | 345.87 | |
| Paulen | Truss bridge | 347.13 | 50.1 |
| Paulen | Stop | 347.59 | |
| Paulen gård | Stop | 347.76 | |
| Kringsjå | Stop | 348.17 | |
| Løyning | Tunnel | 349.74 | 123 |
| Beihølen dam | Stop | 350.53 | |
| Beihøldalen | Station | 350.97 | |
| Otterdals | Siding | 351.79 | |
| Røyknes | Station | 353.22 | |
| Langåen | Steel bridge | 353.37 | 9.32 |
More information
More information about Setesdalsbanen is available from the Setesdalsbanen web site (http://www.setesdalsbanen.no).