The Sørlandet Line (Norwegian: Sørlandsbanen) is a railway line between Drammen (though this is connected to Oslo by means of the Drammen Line) via Kristiansand to Stavanger. The line is 545 kilometers (339 mi) long between Oslo and Stavanger.

Sørlandet Line
Overview
Native nameSørlandsbanen
OwnerBane NOR
Termini
Stations27
Service
TypeRailway
Operator(s)Passenger:
Go-Ahead Norge (2019-present)
Vy (1871-2019)
Freight:
CargoNet
Rolling stockClass 73, El 18
History
Opened1871 (to Kongsberg)
1944 (completed)
Technical
Line length528
Number of tracksSingle or Double
CharacterLong-haul passenger/freight
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Electrification15 kV  16.7 Hz AC
Operating speedMax. 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph)
Route map

70.22
Hokksund Station
(1866)
8.0 masl
75.79
Vestfossen Station
(1871)
81.61
Darbu Station
(1871)
92.59
Skollenborg Station
(1871)
99.37
Kongsberg Station
(1917)
161.9 masl
Frydenlund
(1931)
E134 (78.5 m)
branch line to Ytong
Semsportene
(1931)
Rv35 Bruksgata
75.79
Vestfossen
(1871)
78.00
Flesaker
(1891)
branch line
81.61
Darbu
(1871)
Fv72 (39.9 m)
Rustan
(1931)
85.76
Krekling
(1874)
Rv286 Grosvoldveien
Teigen
(1931)
Grosvold
(1931)
92.59
Skollenborg Station
(1871)
Gomsrud
(1931)
Ove Gjeddes vei (22.2 m)
Kapermoen
(1931)
98.39
Kongsberg Old Station
(1871)
E134 Drammensveien (30.4 m)
99.37
Kongsberg Station
(1917)
161.9 masl
Numedalslågen
(100 m)
149.95
Nordagutu
(1917)
112.1 masl
Rv40 Numedalsveien
Krutthusmoen
(70 m)
101.63
Sandsværmoen
(1920)
175.0 moh.
branch line to Kongsberg Næringspark
Svartås
(45 m)
Trollerud
(502 m)
Tandbergås
(94 m)
Reichentrost
(304 m)
106.67
Saggrenda
(1920)
251.1 moh.
Kjerkebergåsen
(819 m)
113.22
Meheia
(1920)
330.4 moh.
Hengselva
(66 m)
Jerpetjern
(1 762 m)
125.01
Øysteinstul
(1920)
332.9 moh.
Nybu
(56 m)
Nybuelva
(104 m)
Kolset
(899 m)
Kolsetelva
(66 m)
Lille Kolset
(19 m)
Askemyra I
(41 m)
Askemyra II
(69 m)
Hjukse
(407 m)
136.24
Hjuksebø
(1917)
156.7 moh.
Hagen
(235 m)
Kleivrud
(1939)
140.85
Holtsås
(1917 - 2004)
Plassedal
(78 m)
Sundsval
(175 m)
branch line to sandtak
149.95
Nordagutu
(1917)
112.1 masl
148.30
Moen
(1931)
Hvåla
(1931)
Holta
(1931)
Saua
(160 m)
152.02
Akkerhaugen
(1922)
Jonsås
(549 m)
Prestås
(1931)
Stavdal
(1931)
Bergan
(285 m)
156.49
Gvarv
(1922)
Gvarvelva
(112.6 m)
158.02
Håtveit
(1931)
Skogen
(1931)
163.44
(1924)
69.6 moh.
Straumen (Bandak-Norsjøkanalen)
(196 m)
177.48
Lunde
(1925)
77.1 moh.
204.96
Drangedal
(1927)
75.7 moh.
165.00
Staurheim
(1931)
167.55
Tjønnås
(1925)
Eikåa
(26 m)
170.00
Kleppe
(1931)
Vesle Tønnås
(29 m)
Norheimtjern
(45 m)
Østeråa
(20 m)
173.00
Svenseid
(1925)
Rv359 Nordbygdaveien
Kåsa
(1931)
Enggrav
(1931)
Lia
(1931)
Østeråa
(182 m)
Straumen (Bandak-Norsjøkanalen)
(196 m)
177.48
Lunde
(1925)
77.1 moh.
Svenskerud
(53 m)
Brurlia
(62 m)
Skoeelva
(49 m)
181.26
Tyri
(1927)
Tyri
(41 m)
Røsfjell
(161 m)
Bukkefjell
(601 m)
Heimdal
(82 m)
Smørbru
(122 m)
Kollbekk
(286 m)
Skargrinn
(761 m)
Kabbestul
(1953)
193.08
Nakksjø
(1927)
Pollen
(1954)
Grubbetjern I
(94 m)
Grubbetjern II
(12 m)
Nakksjøelva
(22 m)
Sagelva
(25 m)
199.60
Kjosen
(1927)
Halfaredal
(164 m)
Vierbekk
(22 m)
Solbergelva
(32 m)
202.77
Hansbuflaten
(1948)
Kjeåsen
(732 m)
Kjeosen
(73 m)
Skolehus
(44 m)
204.96
Drangedal
(1927)
75.7 moh.
Rv38 Drangedalsveien
Revsdal
(1952)
Lillestranda
(37 m)
Vierdal
(50 m)
208.45
Nordgarden
(1957)
Urvasselva
(22 m)
209.11
Eggevåg
(1927)
Sønderå I
(24 m)
Sønderå II
(34 m)
Sønderåa
(54 m)
211.30
Sønderå
(1948)
Måbekk
(1928)
Øvre Langlem
(1954)
Rauålsvann
(136 m)
220.76
Neslandsvatn
(1927)
72.6 moh.
237.05
Gjerstad
(1935)
36.6 moh.
261.51
Vegårdshei
(1935)
183 moh.
Heldalsberget
(80 m)
Fikjevatn
(23 m)
Torvmyråsen
(68 m)
224.57
Brøsjø
(1935)
Lyser
(45 m)
228.50
Lyser
Sigder
(294 m)
Trollelva
(192 m)
Tjennebakken
(349 m)
Aplandsjordet
(1948)
Gjerstadelva
(196 m)
Kråkefjell
(130 m)
Kveimsvegen
(1952)
Solbakken
(129 m)
Ufsa
(143 m)
237.05
Gjerstad
(1935)
36.6 moh.
Tollnes
(202 m)
Sagkleiva
(39 m)
Fone
(1951)
243.30
Grytinggrend
(1935)
Skorstøl
(1937)
248.10
Skorstøl
(1935)
Brenteberget
(222 m)
Glipen
(70 m)
Bjønnåsen
(51 m)
Ravneknatten
(102 m)
Sundåsen
(82 m)
255.05
Bjorvatn
(1935)
Haukdal
(1957)
Dalane
(102 m)
branch line to Høl
261.51
Vegårdshei
(1935)
183 moh.
Etterstøl
(92 m)
Dalshov
(1949)
268.52
Espelandsmyr
(1935)
Kjolstjern
(103 m)
272.63
Selåsvatn
(1935)
Grimeland
Trytåsen
(78 m)
Vimme I
(143 m)
Vimme II
(56 m)
Vimme
(1949)
Engfjell
(103 m)
Vimmekil
(83 m)
281.41
Nelaug
(1910)
141.1 moh.
Nidelva
Setesdalsbanen (Museumsbane)
Nidelva øst
(65.6 m)
Nidelva vest
(60 m)
Rustedal
(170 m)
284.74
Moripen
(1938)
Moripen viadukt
(128 m)
Moripen
(76 m)
Grytefjell
(111 m)
289.25
Helldalsmo
(1938)
Grashei
(69 m)
292.97
Grashei
(1939)
Fivedal
(373 m)
Orremyr
(86 m)
Hoggfjell
(63 m)
Hynnekleiv
(115 m)
Skjærsjøelva
(31.6 m)
297.82
Hynnekleiv
(1938)
Botnefoss
(35 m)
Storfoss
(268 m)
301.89
Gauslå
(1938)
306.03
Herefoss
(1938)
Lakselv
(20 m)
Tovdalselva
(32.4 m)
Herefoss
(91 m)
Kolsås I
(100 m)
Kolsås II
(102 m)
Hanefossen
(1962)
Uldalselva
(90 m)
Ålekjær
(129 m)
Uldal
(1938)
Retelva
(28 m)
313.69
Fidjetun
(1938)
Brufossen
(68 m)
Retterholt
(1947)
Vestøl
(1945)
Sundstøl
(1946)
Nessundet
(64.5 m)
325.54
Oggevatn
(1938)
Bjelkekilen
(1946)
Buksund
(24 m)
329.71
Vatnestrøm
(1938)
Gjegninga
(1939)
Landekil
(29 m)
335.87
Kvarehei
(1938)
Solheim
(1955)
Kvarehei
(85 m)
Rugånes viadukt
(159 m)
Samkom
(1946)
Hagen
(104 m)
Rugåna
og Rv405 (71 m)
Setesdalsbanen (Museumsbane)
345.25
Grovane
(1895)
Veråsveien
(1934)
Rv405 (ca. 15 m)
Ludeflaten
(1938)
347.54
Vennesla Skole
(1909)
Graslia
(1926)
Rv453 Ålefjærvegen (ca. 20 m)
Tvangsdalen
(158 m)
Hunsøya
Hunsfoss
(1927)
Tjorvemoen
(1927)
Byggma AS
350.16
Vennesla
(1895)
43.1 moh.
Kvarstein bru
over Otra (154 m)
365.29
Kristiansand
(1895)
5.5  masl
Goli
(1927)
Lunden
(1927)
Nyland
(1927)
Åbel
(164 m)
Liane
(1938)
352.43
Kvarstein
(1898)
Ravnåsveien
(1927)
Kvarstein bru
over Otra (154 m)
Kvarstein grind
(1927)
Øvre Mosby
(1927)
Rv405 Venneslaveien
Røystad
(1927)
Høllen
(1927)
355.52
Mosby
(1895)
Mosby
(467 m)
356.41
Aukland
(1913)
Aukland
(264 m)
357.67
Strai
(1895)
Gangdalen
(1938)
Strai cemetstøberi
(1927)
Gangdalsveien (24.9 m)
Svartupsa
(400 m)
359.96
Langemyrterminalen
(1989)
360.20
Langemyr nye
(1927)
Glitre
(1903)
362.10
Dalane
(1939)
industrial line
Sørlandsbanen to Sira
Jernbaneverkstedet
Rv9 Setesdalsveien (ca. 35 m)
Styggeheia
(ca. 140 m)
367.31
Krossen
(1943)
Rv9 Setesdalsveien (25.8 m)
Solvang
(1927)
Suldalsnuten
(77 m)
Grimsbroa
(1936)
Rv9 Setesdalsveien
E18 Vesterveien
Falconbridge Nikkelverk
branch line to Odderøya
365.29
Kristiansand
(1895)
5.5  masl
Gravane
(ca. 30 m)
Silokaia
367.98
Suldal
(1958)
Tinnheia
(234 m)
Skytterhuset
(130 m)
Kjerran
(53 m)
Grokjerr
(1947)
Grohei
(1 990 m)
Grohei
(1946)
Ødegården
(102 m)
Nodehei
(505 m)
375.29
Nodeland
(1943)
25  masl
385.06
Breland
(1943)
176.9  masl
396.47
Øyslebø holdeplass
(1944)
402.02
Marnardal
(1943)
38.3  masl
Rv461 Songdalsvegen (ca. 15 m)
branch line
Songdalselva
(36 m)
Hagen
(37 m)
Gjervollstad
(1946)
Gjervollstad
(365 m)
Augland
(44 m)
Venåsen
(67 m)
Veflenes
(108 m)
Grebeshei
(79 m)
Ørenhei
(175 m)
Tillkollhei
(129 m)
Skårskleiv
(74 m)
Fiskebudal
(42 m)
Brattestø
(24 m)
Pinneskottunnelen
(305 m)
Skår
(1947)
Ørkneheitunnelen
(300 m)
385.06
Breland
(1943)
176.9  masl
Breland
(112 m)
387.90
Sjåvatn
(1946)
Sjåvatn
(42 m)
Krossen
(95 m)
Fossestøl
(60 m)
390.10
Fossestøl
(1944)
Leirkilen
(1946)
Strøodden
(52 m)
391.84
Skogtun
(1952)
Grankleiv
(156 m)
Skråvatn
(66 m)
Svartebekk
(69 m)
393.35
Høye
(1943)
Ramnåsvatn
(116 m)
Lille Stigan
(43 m)
Stigan
(336 m)
Skjerehei
(163 m)
Marli
(259 m)
396.47
Øyslebø holdeplass
(1944)
Ytterhei
(324 m)
Hidderhei
(343 m)
Lille Hidderhei
(147 m)
Usland
(384 m)
Marnar
(617 m)
Mandalselva
(84 m)
Heddeland
(217 m)
400.38
Heddeland
(1946)
Rv455 (ca. 20 m)
branch line
402.02
Marnardal
(1943)
38.3  masl
Fossekleiv
(34 m)
Voan I
(66 m)
Voan II
(23 m)
Koland
(71 m)
Klapåsen
(77 m)
405.62
Laudal
(1946)
Helåsen
(260 m)
Helidal
(130 m)
409.44
Leivoll
(1943)
Fidjeliane
(1946)
Rv461 (ca. 20 m)
Mosland
(1944)
Eikeskaret
(444 m)
Kirkeheia
(345 m)
Hunsdalen
(54 m)
Hunsdalen viadukt
(81 m)
Hunsdalen
(1946)
Sagbekk
(45 m)
Haredal
(287 m)
Lille Haredal
(26 m)
Breilid
(65 m)
Breilidmoen
(131 m)
Blakstadvadet
(76 m)
Øydneskleiv
(128 m)
branch line
Rv460 (ca. 60 m)
419.34
Audnedal
(1943)
106.6  masl
Audna
(32 m)
Hægebostadtunnelen
(8 474 m)
428.85
Snartemo
(1943)
151.6  masl
Lyngdalselva
(60 m)
Kvinesheitunnelen
(9 065 m)
446.36
Storekvina
(1943)
135.9  masl
438.51
Kvineshei
(1946)
Moi
(43 m)
440.60
Frivoll
(1946)
Jerstad
(153 m)
Lillekvina
(66.7 m)
442.19
Sandvatn
(1943)
Åmlandsheia
(1 620 m)
Åmland
(1946)
Refsskaret
(103 m)
446.36
Storekvina
(1943)
135.9  masl
Myra
(75 m)
Kvina
(94 m)
Gylandstunnelen
(5 717 m)
Gylandselva
(35 m)
453.53
Gyland
(1943)
123.1  masl
Sira
(3 177 m)
Fedog
(932 m)
Fedog
(1946)
Hjelleset
(1946)
Vollås
(1 523 m)
Netland
(1946)
461.48
Bjørkevoll
(1943)
Sira
(3 177 m)
Stemmebakken
(1946)
Birkeland
(310 m)
Bakke
(830 m)
468.63
Sira
(1943)
72.7  masl
477.24
Moi
(1904)
58.4  masl
525.56
Egersund
(1944)
11.1  masl
(1878-1952)
523.991
Egersund Station
(1944)
11,1 masl
Eie pens
(1930)
Launes bru II
(24 m)
Launes bru I
(34 m)
Launes
(422 m)
Leidland
(177 m)
Fossvatn
(53 m)
Skjelbred
(214 m)
69,23
Maurholen Station
(1879–1944)
Maurholen
(596 m)
Myklebust
(179 m)
Skadberg
(108 m)
Netland
(218 m)
Hellvik
(98 m)
531.91
Hellvik Station
(1878)
Rv44 Jærveien
535.58
Vatnamot
(1879–1950)
Vatnamot
(59 m)
Kroka
(17 m)
538.34
Sirevåg
(1879)
Sirevåg
(222 m)
Ognaåna
(24 m)
540.29
Ogna Station
(1878)
Varden
(1956)
Varden
(199 m)
Vauleelva
(21 m)
544.53
Brusand
(1879)
Stokkaland
(1930)
Hogstad
(1937)
549.48
Vigrestad
(1878)
Stavnheim
(1930)
Odland
(1929)
Rv504 Buevegen
555.59
Varhaug
(1878)
557.72
Dysjaland Station
(1933-1966)
559.59
Kvia Station
(1933-1966)
Fv180 (36 m)
561.02
Nærbø Station
(1878)
562.48
Tårland Station
(1929-1966)
564.47
Gjerdo Station
(1929-1966)
Håelva
(ca. 60 m)
565.22
Hognestad Station
(1879–1966)
566.95
Kjelsholen Station
(1930-1957)
Fv223 (35 m)
industrial line, closed
569.12
Bryne Station
(1878)
Rv506 Arne Garborgs veg
570.07
Vardheia Station
(1956-1966)
industrial line, closed
570.95
Tumarki Station
(1928-1957)
571.91
Laland Station
(1930-1966)
573.86
Klepp Station
(1878)
industrial line
575.17
Engjelsvåg Station
(1933-1966)
industrial line
576.28
Øksnevadporten
(1933)
Orstad
(1929)
Figgjoelva
(30 m)
Skjæveland
(1930)
Ganddal Terminal
(2008)
Gang- og sykkelsti
industrial line Kvål
Rv. 505 Kvernelandsveien
580.21
Ganddal Station
(1878)
branch line Ålgårdbanen
Sørbøbakken
Hovebakken
582.88
Brualand Station
(1928-1955)
Brugata
Brueland
driftsbanegård
583.34
Sandnes Station
(1996, Sandnes Station 1955–1996)
Roundabout, rv. 505/Høylandsgata
Gjesdalveien
Ole Bulls gate
Ruten ved Kirkegata
583.92
Sandnes Sentrum Station
(1996, Sandnes sentrum hlp. 1992–1996)
Ruten ved Industrigata
Olav Vs plass
Sandnes Havn
584.20
Sandnes
(1878–1955)
584.22
Sandnes
(1955–1991)
Gandsgata
Tronesveien
Snorres gate
Slynggata
585.64
Lura
(1916–1966)
586.65
Luravika
(1959–1966)
Lurahammaren tunnel
117 m
588.78
Forus
(1904–1967)
Forusskogen
industrial line
Slettestrandveien
Gauselkneiken
Teglverksbakken
590.24
Gausel
(1904–1966)
Gauselvågen
Jåttåvågen Station
(2008)
Jåttåvågen
592.20
Jåttå Station
(2004–2007)
592.40
Hinna
(1878–1965)
Stasjonsveien
593.40
Vaulen
(1918–1965)
industrial line, closed
Nedre lyngnesveien
593.99
Lyngnes Station
(1957–1992)
Breiflåtveien
594.70
Mariero Station
(1880)
industrial line, closed
Sjøhagen
Fv. 428 Sandvikveien
596.76
Hillevåg Station
(1880)
Hamneveien
Fv. 427 Strømsbrua
Stavanger Freight Terminal
Kirkegårdsveien
Jernbanelokket
180 m
598.70
Stavanger Station
(1878)

History

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The railway was constructed in several phases, the first section being opened in 1871 and the last not opened until 1944. While there was a continual construction work from Oslo westward as far as Moi, the Jæren Line from Egersund to Stavanger in Western Norway was opened in 1878. Up to 1913 the name used on plans and for the completed sections was the Vestlandet Line (The West Country Line).

The Sørlandet Line was completed by the German occupation force during World War II. It was opened for regular traffic on 1 May 1944. The line was an important communications link for transportation of troops, as well as war material. Long stretches of the Sørlandet Line railway are set away from the coast, instead of on the more densely populated coastline. One reason for this was to protect the line from invading forces, and also to prevent the line being bombarded by navy ships.

On 15 November 1950 the Hjuksebø train disaster killed 14 people in a collision between an express train and runaway freight cars. On 15 December 2019 operation of passenger services passed from Vy to Go-Ahead Norge.[1][2] Since then, Go-Ahead operates its long-haul passenger service between Oslo and Stavanger as Sørtoget ("The South Train").[3]

Subsections

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Among the stretches which make up the Sørland Line are:

  • Oslo–Drammen is the Drammen Line, completed in 1872.
  • Drammen–Kongsberg, opened in 1871.
  • Kongsberg–, opened in 1924.
  • Lunde–Neslandsvatn (Kragerø), opened in 1927.
  • Neslandsvatn–Nelaug (Arendal), opened in 1935.
  • Nelaug–Kristiansand, opened in 1938.
  • Kristiansand–Moi, opened in 1944.
  • Moi (Flekkefjord)–Egersund, opened in 1904.
  • Egersund–Stavanger is the Jæren Line, which was opened in 1878.

Branch lines

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The Sørlandet Line has one operational branch line, the Arendal Line, which runs between Nelaug and Arendal. Another branch line, the Flekkefjord Line, from Sira to Flekkefjord, was once part of the main line. It was turned into a branch line upon completion of the Sørland Line in 1944, and was finally closed in 1990. Other branch lines which are now closed are the Numedal Line between Kongsberg and Rødberg (in Nore og Uvdal), the Setesdal Line and the Kragerø Line between Neslandsvatn and Kragerø.

Kristiansand Station is designed as a terminal station. Therefore, passenger-trains from Stavanger towards Oslo reverse direction when leaving Kristiansand. Freight trains use a direct connection between the eastern and western part of the line outside of Kristiansand, and do not have to change direction at Kristiansand station.

Electrification

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  • Oslo – Brakerøya: 1922
  • Brakerøya – Drammen: 1930
  • Drammen – Kongsberg: 1929
  • Kongsberg – Nordagutu: 1936
  • Nordagutu – Lunde: 1942
  • Lunde – Neslandsvatn: 1943
  • Neslandsvatn – Nelaug: 1948
  • Nelaug – Kristiansand: 1949
  • Kristiansand – Marnadal: 1946
  • Marnadal – Sira: 1944
  • Sira – Egersund: 1950
  • Egersund – Stavanger: 1956

Route

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Hokksund – Prestestranda

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Starting point of the line is Hokksund in the Drammenselva valley, where it branches off from the Randsfjordbane southwest into the Vestfosselva valley. The route to Kongsberg then runs alongside the north bank of the Eikeren lake and crosses the watershed to Numedalslågen drainage basin. The railway line forms a horseshoe curve in the main valley -precisely the Kongsberg area -, passing Saggrenda to get back westwards. The province border to Vestfold og Telemark and a watershed near Heddalsvatnet (in Notodden municipality) are crossed. While the main road E134 leads directly to Notodden, the southbound route forms a horseshoe curve in Ådalen before reaching Heddalsvatnet at Hjuksebø station on its eastern edge.

To the east of the lake, the route leads southwards, before the Saua river is bridged westwards at Akkerhaugen (in the former municipality of Sauherad) at its confluence with the Heddalsvatnet. The line continues to Gvarv in the Gvarvelva valley, which we leave after calling at Bø (Telemark) southwards, going via side-valleys to Lunde, sitting at the Straumen river. In Lunde there is a bridge over the Telemark Canal. The route leads further to Prestestranda on the Tokke inland lake, crossing the municipalities of Nome and Drangedal.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Go-Ahead wins first rail contract to be awarded in Norway Go-Ahead Group 17 October 2018
  2. ^ Go-Ahead Nordic signs historic contract in Norway International Railway Journal 2 November 2018
  3. ^ Langset, Mona (15 December 2019). "Sørlandsbanen blir Sørtoget. Dette betyr det for deg". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 18 December 2019.
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58°17′37″N 7°58′47″E / 58.2936°N 7.9798°E / 58.2936; 7.9798