Norway - Tram services over obscure routes

Introduction

Some tram systems advertise their depot workings and enable one to ascertain the regular use by passenger-carrying services of junctions or sections of line that do not otherwise see public service. This occasional series lists such services that have come to notice. While the data for each system is current at the date stated, it is not the intention to endeavour to keep every entry up to date at every service change - the listing serves as a guide for travellers as to the sort of services they can look out for, enabling them to check current published timetable material at their time of travel.

To assist in tracing services, the route and/or timetable number for each journey is shown in parentheses, e.g. (1). Days of operation are in English notation (respectively: Su, M, T, W, Th, F, S) - plus "O" for only, "X" for excepted. Su (Sundays) usually includes public holidays in mainland Europe - but check locally.

Listings for other systems throughout the world - in the same format as shown below (please include date of timetable validity) - will always be welcomed.

Oslo: Ruter As is the overall public transport authority covering Oslo and former Akershus

See Ruter#

Oslo: Sporveien Trikken AS, formerly Oslo Sporvognsdrift AS

[trikken = trams]
Advertised journeys in timetable dated 2 July 2018 or based on current route map dated 18 May 2020. There have been city centre road works for some time causing diversions but with a very unusual aspect of constructing temporary lines that go out of use again when the original route reopens! It can be difficult to find an official current route map on line, so a link to maps page as at May 2020 is here. Much of the ongoing upgrade works are required to accommodate 87 new trams, which start to arrive in 2020.

Holbergs plass to Stortorvet

The normal route towards the City Centre from the north west of routes 11, 17 & 18 along Kristian Augusts gate is closed for refurbishment with new tracks, sidewalks and water and drainage pipes. There is a temporary route from Stortorvet along Kristian IV’s Gate passing the rear of the Historical Museum to rejoin line of route before Holbergs plass which opened on 11 March 2018 and could be in use until some time in 2021.

Jerbanetorget street loops

The July 2018 TT has a 20 minute service all days of the week on route 11 from Majorstuen terminating at Stortorvet and reappearing at Jerbanetorget to return to Majorstuen so logically would use the currently non-passenger route via Storgata. Any reports if this is traversed carrying passengers to Jerbanetorget would be appreciated, although as Majorstuen loop closed, for summer 2020. Therefore its not clear what other services could use the Jerbanetorget loops at present.

Jerbanetorget - Bussterminalen Grønland - Ekebergparken

This section closed 3 October 2020, in conjunction with the opening of the extension from Bjørvika to Ekebergparken - [Ljabru] on 4 October 2020. The previous service along the already built section, from Jerbanetorget to Bjørvika, had been reinstated on 18 May 2020, by diverting the Route 13 to terminate here, and this was extended along the whole new route and back the Ljabru terminus on 4 October 2020. Also on 4 October, Route 18 was diverted back to its old terminus at Grefsen st. and Route 19 along the new route. Project Links link here and here

National Theatret - Turn Back Options

For the summer 2020 works, closing the Majorstuen loop, westbound route 19 trams are shown terminating at National Theatret. However, no turn back facilities exist at this point.

Two solutions to this issue were observed;

• The tram continues, in service, to Skøyen, before entering the loop there [out of service]. After a layover, the vehicle returns as a route 19 service to Ljabru and is then shown on the Skøyen and other stop indicators as such.
• While at the National Theatret stop the trams destination indicator changes to Aker Brygge. The vehicle then continues west, but takes the east to south curve at Solli to end up at Aker Brygge. Also of note was a temporary southbound stop, at the south end of the triangle at Solli, which is used by these services. When at Aker Brygge, the vehicle then renumbers to a route 12 going to Kjelsås.

Also of note, at the normal eastbound Solli route 12 stop, was a sign directing you to the temporary stop at the base of the triangle.

Solli - Turn Back Options

For the summer 2020 works, closing the Majorstuen loop, westbound route 12 trams are shown terminating at Solli.

Here the trams just continue to Skøyen but they aren't advertised on the stop indicators beyond Solli. After layover in the loop they return as Route 12 to Kjelsås but again aren't shown until the Solli stop. It also wasn't clear if they used both the normal eastbound stop and the temporary stop to the south of the triangle at Solli.

From 4 October 2020, Route 12 resumed operation through to Majorstuen and this turn back option ceased.

Storo - Grefsen stasjon

Long term works closed the Toftes gate route but this reopened on 4 October 2020. From 18 May 2020, route 13 was diverted to terminate in the new Bjørvika stub, so this manoeure no longer takes place. Route 17 was also extended to the Disen turning loop, also from 18 May 2020, but from 4 October terminates back at Grefsen st. Before the summer 2020 closures, the entry was to advise that trams on Routes 13 and 17 continued after changing routes at Grefsen stasjon so there is no gap. Previously route 13 was advertised towards Grefsen stasjon as the turning circle was through the adjacent Depot and the exit used was beyond the Grefsen stasjon stop.

Majorstuen

• The summer works, starting 18 May 2020, closed the loop through Majorstuen with bus replacement. However, from 4 October 2020, Routes 12 and 19 returned to Majorstuen. Improvement works are scheduled to for completion in 2021.
• Before the summer 2020 closure, the street turning loop here was normally only used by route 11 as routes 12 and 19 changed route on arrival/departure.

Disen turning circle

• Route 17 used this loop in public service, from 18 May 2020 to 3 October 2020 for the 2020 summer works timetable. From 4 October 2020 Route 17 was cut back to terminate at Grefsen again.

Oslo: Sporveien T-banen AS, formerly Oslo T-banedrift AS

[T-banen = metro]
Advertised journeys in timetable dated 2 April 2017. None

On a previous timetable dated 26 April 2009

Ensjø - Carl Berners plass (Tøyen east curve)

• From Ryen to Vestli (depot workings for route 5): 04:49 SSuX, 05:04 SSuX, 05:19 SSuX
• From Ryen to Storo (depot workings for route 5): 05:33 SSuX, 05:48 SSuX, 06:19 SO, 06:49 SuO, 10:34 SuO

There are no return journeys advertised by this route