Arendal Line

Infobox rail line
name = Arendal Line
nativename = Arendalsbanen


caption = Arendal Station
type = Railway
system =
status =
start = Nelaug
end = Arendal
stations = 8
open = 1908
close =
owner = Norwegian National Rail Administration
operator = Norges Statsbaner
character = Commuter trains
stock = BM69
linelength = 37 km
tracklength =
notrack = Single
gauge = RailGauge|sg
el = 15 kV AC
speed =
elevation = 141.1 m

Arendalsbanen|

The Arendal Line ( _no. Arendalsbanen) is a branch line of the Sørland Line in Southern Norway. The line runs between the station of Nelaug and the town of Arendal in Aust-Agder in Norway. The line was opened in 1908 and electrified in 1995 and is the only branch line still in operation in Norway. The line is operated by Norges Statsbaner (NSB) using Type 69 electric multiple units, and is used to transport people to Oslo, with train change at Nelaug. Shortage of rolling stock caused the line to be closed between 20 October 2000 and 24 June 2001.

History

The line now called the Arendal Line was planned and built by NSB as a local railway that was going to connect Arendal with an important part of the cities surroundings up the river Nidelva. The line was first opened to Froland in 1908. In 1910 the line was extended to Åmli and by 1913 the line had reached Treungen. The railway that went from Treungen to Arendal was officially called the Treungen Line. Further expansions to Fyresdal were discussed. The Treungen Line had a branch line from Rise Station to Grimstad. This line was built as a private railway, but was later taken over by NSB and operated as the Grimstad Line. Lumber and ore transport was one of the main activities for these railways, of course in addition to passenger transport. Both the Treungen Line and Grimstad Line were built in narrow gauge (1067 mm).

The Sørland Line reached Nelaug in 1935, and the Treungen Line became split in to branch lines. As a temporary solution, the Sørland Line terminated in Arendal, and because of this Arendal - Nelaug was upgraded to standard gauge. On 9 November 1935 the first train went from Oslo West Station with among others King Haakon VII, Crown Prince Olav and Prime Minister Johan Nygaardsvold. At Nelaug there was locomotive change and a large ceremony in Arendal. For a three year period Arendal was the largest transport hub in Southern Norway, with travelers from the west changing from steam ship to railway if they wanted quick travel east to the capital. Neither before nor later has Arendal Station has such traffic. Also the Grimstad Line was converted to standard gauge soon afterwards.

In 1986 the Arendal Line got a serious competitor when the coach service between Kristiansand and Oslo started with multiple daily departures.

References

* Thor Bjerke and Ove Tovås (1989): "Togbytte på Nelaug" Norsk jernbaneklubb, Oslo ISBN 82-90286-10-4

External links

* [http://www.jernbaneverket.no/jernbanenettet/stasjonsoversikt/Arendalsbanen/ Jernbaneverket's list of stations on the Arendal Line] no icon
* [http://www.jernbaneverket.no/english/forTravellers/index.jhtml?intSecId=1201453 Jernbaneverket's list of stations on the Arendal Line] (in English, but lacks station descriptions)