Randsfjord Line

Infobox rail line
name = Randsfjord Line
nativename = Randsfjordbanen


caption = The opening of Randsfjordbanen in 1868
type = Railway
system = Norwegian Railway
status =
start = Drammen Station
end = Randsfjord Station
stations =
open = 1866 (to Vikersund)
1868 (to Randsfjorden)
close =
owner = Norwegian National Rail Administration
operator = Norges Statsbaner
character = Long-haul passenger traffic
stock = BM 73
linelength = convert|87|km|mi|0
tracklength =
notrack = 1
gauge = RailGauge|sg
el = 15 kV AC
speed =
elevation = |

Randsfjordbanen is 87 km railway located in Buskerud in Norway connecting Drammen to Hønefoss and Hadeland in Oppland. The railway is primarily used for passenger trains, and the only scheduled trains on the stretch are Norges Statsbaner express trains on the Bergen Line between Oslo and Bergen. Freight trains to Bergen go to Hønefoss via the Gjøvik Line. The railway is owned by the Government of Norway through the Norwegian National Rail Administration.

The entire line is standard gauge, and the 71 km from Drammen to Hønefoss is electrified at 15 kV AC. The remaining 16 km from Hønefoss to Randsfjord is not electrified and currently disused. [cite web| url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/jernbanenettet/Jernbanekart/jernbane_nettet_i_tall/| title=Nøkkeltall for norske baner |author=Jernbaneverket |language=Norwegian] The line gets its name from the lake Randsfjorden.

History

The Norwegian legislature decided on 11 June 1863 with 65 against 44 votes to build the line. The first stretch of the line opened on 31 October 1866 between Vikersund and Drammen. On 1 December 1867 Skjærdalen and Tyristrand were connected to the line and finally on 12 October 1868 Hønefoss Station opened and the line could stretch all the way to Randsfjorden. The line was the fifth railway line to be built in Norway. When the Bergen Line was built a new line between Roa and Hønefoss was opened in 1909, providing two different lines between Hønefoss and Oslo.

References