View source for Valdres Line

{{Short description|Norwegian railway}}
{{Infobox heritage railway
 | name               = Valdres Line
 | other_name         = {{langx|no|Valdresbanen}}
 | logo               = 
 | logo_width         = 
 | logo_alt           = 
 | image              = Valdresbanen-Etna-Stasjon.jpg
 | image_name         = 
 | image_width        = 
 | image_alt          =
 | caption            = Now closed Etna Station
 | color              = 
 | locale             = [[Norway]]
 | terminus           = [[Eina Station|Eina]]<br />[[Dokka Station|Dokka]]
 | map                = 
 | map_caption        = 
 | map_alt            = 
 | mapsize            = 
 | connections        = 
 | linename           = 
 | builtby            = [[Norwegian State Railways]]
 | originalopen       = 23 November 1902
 | originalgauge      = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}} 
 | originalelec       = None
 | owned              = 
 | operator           = 
 | marks              = 
 | stations           = (?)
 | length             =  {{convert|48|km|mi}}
 | preservedgauge     = {{RailGauge|sg}} 
 | era                = 
 | com-years          = 
 | com-events         = 
 | com-years1         = 
 | com-events1        = 
 | closedpassengers   = 
 | closed             =  1 January 1989
 | stageyears         = 
 | stage              = 
 | years              = 
 | events             = 
 | years1             = 
 | events1            = 
 | headquarters       = 
 | website            = 
 | routemap           = 
 | routemap_name      = 
 | routemap_state     = 
}}<!-- {{Infobox rail line
|name        = Valdres Line
|image       = 
|caption     = 
|type        = [[Railway]]
|system      = [[Rail transport in Norway|Norwegian railway]]
|status      = [[Heritage railway|Heritage]]
|start       = [[Eina Station|Eina]]
|end         = [[Fagernes Station|Fagernes]]
|stations    = 28
|open        = 23 November 1902
|close       = 1 January 1989
|owner       = [[Norwegian National Rail Administration]]
|operator    = 
|character   = Freight and passenger
|stock       = 
|linelength  = {{convert|108|km|mi}}
|tracklength = 
|tracks = [[Single track (rail)|Single]]
|gauge       = {{RailGauge|sg}}
|electrification = No
|speed       = 
|elevation   = 682 m
}} -->

{{Valdresbanen}}

The '''Valdres Line''' ({{langx|no|Valdresbanen}}) was a [[Norway|Norwegian]] railway that connected to the [[Gjøvik Line]] at [[Eina Station|Eina]] with [[Fagernes]] in the district of [[Valdres]].  The first stretch opened on 23 November 1902, and the entire route was operational on October 10, 1906.  The line was shut down for regular traffic as of 1 January 1989.

The entire length of the line was {{convert|108|km}}.  It connected the rural areas of [[Land, Norway|Land]] and Valdres by rail to the main railroad network in Norway, including [[Oslo]] and international points beyond. Though there is no regular traffic on the line the {{convert|48|km}} stretch from Eina to Dokka is still permitted for trains and considered part of the national rail network.

==History==
The line was built by a private company, '''AS Valdresbanen''', in four phases:
# [[Eina]] to [[Dokka]] (approximately 47&nbsp;km): regular traffic 28 November 1902
# Dokka to [[Tonsåsen]] (31&nbsp;km): 1 November 1903
# Tonsåsen to [[Aurdal]] (18&nbsp;km): 29 September 1906
# Aurdal to [[Fagernes]] (13&nbsp;km): 29 September 1906

In 1937, the Norwegian government through the [[Norwegian State Railways]] took over operations of the line, and in 1953 the line and equipment was modernized to the point that the trip from Oslo to Fagernes took 4.5 hours. In 1955 and 1956 tunnels were built at [[Høgberget]] and Tonsåsen, respectively. When Norwegian authorities decided to electrify half of the line distance of Norway in the 1950s and 60s, the Valdres Line was not chosen to be electrified, even though the Gjøvik Line was.

In 1985, a bus service was established between Oslo and Fagernes, reducing the number of annual passengers on the train line by 19,000.  In 1988, the [[Stortinget|Norwegian legislature]] decided to shut down regular traffic on the Valdres Line while keeping the tracks between Eina and [[Leira, Oppland|Leira]] open for purposes of national security. In 1989, a grassroots movement was started to keep the line, but to no avail. In 1991, the tracks between Leira and Fagernes were lifted (removed).  A private company is formed to arrange chartered trips on the remaining railway.

{|class="wikitable sortable"
!rowspan=3|Station number
!rowspan=3|Station name
!colspan=6|Distance from 
!rowspan=2 colspan=2|Altitude 
!rowspan=3|Comments
|-
!colspan=2|Eina
!colspan=2|Oslo
!colspan=2|Fagernes 
|-
!km!!miles
!km!!miles
!km!!miles
!m!!ft
|----
| 1621
|[[Eina]]
| – || –   
| {{convert|100.89|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|108.08|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|401.80|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|Connection with the [[Gjøvik Line]]  
|----
|.   
|Bridge over Einavann   
| {{convert|1.13|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|102.02|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|106.95|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|Length {{convert|21.3|m|abbr=on}}  
|----
|.   
|Ra sidetrack   
| {{convert|4.39|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|105.28|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|103.69|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|/  
|----
| 1700.01
|[[Røste]]
| {{convert|5.12|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|106.01|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|102.96|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|established 1969, closed April 14, 1970  
|----
| 1700.02
|[[Vestli]]
| {{convert|6.2|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|107.09|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|101.88|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|Closed  1952  
|----
| 1701
|[[Trevatn]]
| {{convert|8.25|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|109.14|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|99.83|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|385.50|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|Sp 01/07/59 u 07/01/68, hp/L ca/1970, closed January 1 89  
|----
| 1701.01
|[[Halmrastsæter]]
| {{convert|10.78|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|111.67|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|97.30|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|(hp) 01/06/1969, closed 14/04/1970  
|----
| 1702
|[[Skrukli]]
| {{convert|14.92|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|115.81|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|93.16|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|393.00|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|U 07/01/68, hp/L 05/08/83, closed January 1, 1989  
|----
| 1702.01
|[[Opperud]]
| {{convert|18.2|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|119.09|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|89.88|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|closed 1952  
|----
| 1703
|[[Fall, Norway|Fall]]
| {{convert|19.84|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|120.73|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|88.24|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|299.20|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|Sp 07/01/68, u 10/06/68&nbsp;hp/L 09/10/74, hp 15/11/84. Closed January 1, 1989  
|----
| 1703.01
|[[Klinkenberg, Norway|Klinkenberg]]
| {{convert|21.69|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|122.58|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|86.39|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|(hp) 01/06/1969, closed 14/04/1970  
|----
| 1704
|[[Hov, Norway|Hov]]
| {{convert|23.27|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|124.16|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|84.81|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|233.50|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|U/x January 1, 1989  
|----
| 1704.01
|[[Kluke]]
| {{convert|25.4|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|126.29|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|82.68|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|closed 1939  
|----
| 1704.02
|[[Gabrielstugua]]
| {{convert|26.9|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|127.79|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|81.18|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|(hp) 01/06/1969, closed 14/04/1970  
|----
| 1705
|[[Bjørnerud]]
| {{convert|28.06|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|128.95|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|80.02|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|175.20|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|S 1949, Sp 05/05/1959, hp/L 01/09/1959&nbsp;hp 14/05/1968, closed January 1, 1989  
|----
| 1705.01
|[[Steinsvoll]]
| {{convert|30.55|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|131.44|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|77.53|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|(hp) 01/06/1969, closed 14/04/1970  
|----
|..   
|Underpass riksvei 33
| {{convert|31.45|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|132.34|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|76.63|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|Concrete bridge, length {{convert|43.6|m|abbr=on}}  
|----
| 1706
|[[Fluberg]]
| {{convert|33.04|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|133.93|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|75.04|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|154.80|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|Sp 07/01/1968, u 10/06/1968, hp/L November 1987, closed January 1, 1989  
|----
| 1706.01
|[[Kronborg, Norway|Kronborg]]
| {{convert|36.87|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|137.76|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|71.21|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|(hp) 01/06/1969, closed 14/04/1970  
|----
| 1707
|[[Odnes]]
| {{convert|39.31|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|140.2|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|68.77|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|138.60|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|Sp 07/01/1968, u 10/06/1968, u/g January 1, 1989, l...//  
|----
| 1707.01
|[[Åvella]]
| {{convert|42.51|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|143.4|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|65.57|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|(hp) 01/06/1969, closed 14/04/197  
|----
| 1708
|[[Dokka]]
| {{convert|47.02|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|147.91|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|61.06|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|148.50|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|S/g January 1, 1989  
|----
|.   
|Bridge over Dølveita   
| {{convert|47.7|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|148.59|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|60.38|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|length {{convert|30|m|abbr=on}}  
|----
|.   
|Bridge over Dokka   
| {{convert|48.08|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|148.97|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|60.00|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|length {{convert|60|m|abbr=on}}  
|----
| 1709
|[[Nordsinni]]
| {{convert|53.92|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|154.81|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|54.16|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|267.00|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|U 07/01/1968, hp 24/11/1971, closed January 1, 1989  
|----
|.   
|[[Håkonstad Tunnel]]
| {{convert|59.28|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|160.17|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|48.80|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|length {{convert|115|m|abbr=on}}  
|----
| 1710
|[[Etnedal|Etna]]
| {{convert|64.96|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|165.85|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|43.12|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|479.70|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|U 07/01/1968, hp November 1987, closed January 1, 1989  
|----
|.   
|[[Høgberget Tunnel]]
| {{convert|71.95|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|172.84|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|36.13|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|length {{convert|784|m|abbr=on}}  
|----
| 1711
|[[Tonsåsen]]
| {{convert|77.48|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|178.37|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|30.60|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|682.00|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|U 01/08/1984, l January 1, 1989  
|----
| 1712
|[[Bjørgo]]
| {{convert|90.07|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|190.96|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|18.01|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|510.00|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|Sp 07/01/1968, closed January 1, 1989  
|----
| 1713
|[[Aurdal]]
| {{convert|95.31|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|196.2|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|12.77|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|457.40|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|Sp 07/01/1968, u January 1, 1983, hp November 1987, closed January 1, 1989  
|----
| 1714
|Leira
| {{convert|104.08|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|204.97|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|4.00|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| {{convert|372.00|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|Sp 07/01/1968, u 10/06/1968, closed January 1, 1989  
|----
|.   
|[[Fagernes Tunnel]]
| {{convert|105.95|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|206.84|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|2.13|km|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
| – || –    
|Length {{convert|80|m|abbr=on}}, demolished fall of 1991  
|----
| 1715
|[[Fagernes]]
| {{convert|108.08|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| {{convert|208.97|km|disp=table|sortable=on}}
| – || –   
| {{convert|360.00|m|disp=table|sortable=on}} 
|closed/ January 1, 1989
|----
|}

==External links==
* [http://www.valdresbanen.no/ Valdres Line advocacy organization]

{{Railway museums in Norway}}
{{Railways in Norway}}
{{Railway companies of Norway}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|60|49|57|N|10|04|21|E|region:NO-05_type:landmark_source:kolossus-nowiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Valdres Line| ]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Norway]]
[[Category:Heritage railways in Norway]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Innlandet]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1902]]
[[Category:1902 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Private railway lines in Norway]]