Holmenkoll Line

Infobox rail line
name = Holmenkoll Line
nativename = Holmenkollbanen

---

caption = Train bound for Frognerseteren crossing the street at Vindern
type = Rapid transit
system = Oslo T-bane
start = Majorstuen
end = Frognerseteren
stations = 19
open = 1898
close =
owner = Kollektivtransportproduksjon
operator = Oslo T-banedrift
character =
stock = T1300
T2000
linelength =
tracklength =
notrack = Double
gauge = RailGauge|sg
el = 750 V DC (overhead)
speed = 70 km/h
elevation = 469.0 m|

The Holmenkoll Line ( _no. Holmenkollbanen) is a rapid transit line on the Oslo T-bane network which runs from Majorstuen and up to Frognerseteren in Oslo, Norway. It is the oldest line on the network, the line which runs highest up and the line with fewest passengers. Even though it is part of the subway network, the line does not run through any tunnels. The Holmenkoll Line is as of 2005 served by Line 1, which goes from Helsfyr in the east.

History

The line was opened on May 31, 1898 as a tram line between Majorstuen and Besserud. The line was extended to Frognerseteren on May 16, 1916, and the tunnel between Majorstuen and Nationaltheatret, now part of the shared downtown subway stretch, was opened June 6, 1928, which was the first subway line in Scandinavia.

On October 22 1987 the line suffered a fatal accident when a train suffered a catastrophic failure in the braking system and rolled down the line, finally tipping over at Midtstuen. The accident killed one person and seriously injured four others. The accident led to scrutiny of the safety of the old teak cars which were used on the line. The old trains were pulled from service, but reintroduced after some refits of the cars until new trains were delivered in 1993. [ [http://www.sak.oslo.kommune.no/dok/Bys%5C1988%5CSFK%5C0095057301-1-WSG-1-34-0.htm Report from meeting in the Oslo City Council regarding the disaster] ] [ [http://trikkogbane.info/cgi-bin/side.pl?id=210&lang=2 Entry on the T2000 trains] ]

Until 1991, A/S Holmenkolbanen was the company responsible for the operations of the line, but the company was then merged with Oslo Sporveier. In a cost saving measure between 2002 and 2004, the line was taken off the downtown shared stretch and ran only between Majorstuen and Frognerseteren.

Operations

The Holmenkoll Line is powered by overhead lines, and trains switch the system from third rail at Frøen. There are numerous level crossings along the line as well. Platforms on Holmenkollbanen are shorter than any other on the subway network, and can only accommodate 2-car trains.

Since the line does not run through densely populated parts of Oslo, the traffic on the line is usually lighter than on any other line. However, there is a large amount of seasonal tourist traffic. The line itself is a tourist attraction since it climbs to over 400 meters providing a view over Oslo, and the Holmenkollen ski jump and Tryvannstårnet are also attractions along the line.

The main rolling stock on Holmenkollbanen is the T2000 train which was delivered in 1993, replacing the old teak cars. To supplement this, some trains are also operated with older T1300 type stock.

ee also

*List of stations on Holmenkollbanen

References