Norway - Older General Information
Introduction
This document acts as an archive for Recent and Future Changes prior to 2019.
Recent and Future Changes (Latest First)
Line Openings (Latest first)
13 December 2020: The new 7.8 km Ny Ulriken tunnel between Arna and Fløen (Bergen) opened. The old tunnel was then closed for upgrading. Double track from Fløen to Bergen is due to be completed in 2024, along with new access to the Nygårdstangen freight terminal, which will also be re-modelled as part of the work.
14 December 2020: The 830m spur to Notodden Kollectiv Terminal re-opened following electrification and the original out of town Notodden station closed again. Services on the branch from Porsgrunn (Hjuskebø) had reverted to the original Notodden station on 10 August 2015, having previously used the above new station (alongside the bus terminal and closer to the town centre on an unelectrified spur line) since 25 August 2004. The entire branch had been threatened with closure at the December 2014 timetable change but funding was obtained for the service to continue. A NOK 7.5 million renovation of the closed line to Tinnoset was authorised at the same time as the electrification to Notodden Kollectiv Terminal.
04 October 2020: Oslo Tramway routes 13/19 Björvika – Oslo Hospital (0.7 km) opened.
The 22.5 km new double-track Larvik (Farriseidet) - Porsgrunn line, part of the Vestfoldbane Project, opened on 24 September 2018.
Bergen's light rail line, Bybanen, between Byparken in the city and Nesttun, opened on 22 June 2010, extended to Rådal (Lagunen) opened on 22 June 2013 and to Birkelandsskiftet on 15 August 2016. A further two-stop extension to Bergen Airport, Flesland, opened on 22 April 2017. The new depot is at Kokstadflaten close to the airport. A film of the route is available.
The most recent extension of Oslo T-Banen (= Metro) was the Lørenbane (Line 4), linking Sinsen on the Ring Line with Økern on the Vestli line, which opened on 3 April 2016; this resulted in several changes to line numbers. Smestad – Åsjordet opened 18 August 2008, extended to Gjønnes by December 2012, and completed to Kolsås on 12 October 2014. T-Banen had been extended to form a circle (lines 4/6) on 21 August 2006 when Storo – Carl Berners plass opened; the first section, Ullevål Stadion – Storo, opened on 20 August 2003. The Kolsås line (line 2) has been rebuilt to full Metro standard.
Mysen - Rakkestad was reopened on 14 December 2015 after a year long closure.
The 4.4 km Gevingåsen Tunnel between Hommelvik and Hell, north of Trondheim, was opened on 15 August 2011
Doubling of Stavanger – Sandnes was completed on 14 December 2009.
The Setesdalsbanen tourist line was extended from Beihølen to Røyknes in 2004 and an extension within Røyknes opened on 5 September 2008.
The Gardermobanen from Oslo to Eidsvoll via the Romeriksporten tunnel, Lillestrøm and Gardermoen Airport opened on 13 June 2004.
Closures
12 December 2020: The Ulriken Tunnel (Arna - Fløen (Bergen), opened in 1964) was temporarily closed. Single track tunnel to be renovated and re-opened in June 2023.
December 2020: Notodden old station closed.
03 October 2020: Oslo Tramway closed St. Halvards plass - Jernbanetorget (Routes 13/19.
The existing Larvik (Farriseidet) - Porsgrunn line closed on 7 August 2018, in preparation for the opening of the new line.
The existing line between Hommelvik and Hell via Muruvik closed with the opening of the Gevingåsen Tunnel on 15 August 2011.
Passenger traffic was withdrawn south of Rakkestad (on the line from Oslo to Sarpsborg via Mysen) on 15 June 2003 and between Mysen and Rakkestad on 14 December 2014 - although the latter section reopened exactly a year later. Rakkestad to Sarpsborg is now used as the proving ground for ERTMS.
Passenger traffic between Dal and Eidsvoll by the Hovedbanen, the old main line, was withdrawn on 13 June 2004; the line remains open for freight traffic.
