Hi Dear Folk,
Now we are in Flam, actually on the Flam Railway train on our journey up to Vanahalsen.
Some information on the Flamsbana, it is one of the steepest standard gauge railways in the world. As early as 1871 a Myrdal to Flam railway was planned. This would join up with the Bergen line. In summer many tourists wanted to visit the fjord.
At the foot of the steep bends of Myrdalssvingene there was a sign imploring: "Be gentle to your horse and walk up the hill." Most travelers followed this advice, but some tourists were encumbered by a physique that made it impossibly strenuous for them to ascent to the top.
Along comes the German invasion, they demanded that the railway be completed and as early as 1940 they had trains running along the line. The original trains were steam locomotives, but by 1944 the Flamsbana was electrified by the Germans, who completed their new power station at Kjosfossen falls. In 1944 the transformers which were required to operate the electric locomotives were sabotaged with explosive by a Norwegian resistance group from Oslo. Electrification was delayed. Since then there have been several updates.
All the above statistics are off my bag I purchased in the gift shop at Flam.
Don't forget these mail boxes you will see them again.
All photos were taken through a rain lashed train window, some almost look like abstract art.
The train stopped at Kjosfossen Waterfall on the way up to take a look they pipe in Norwegian music.
One of the tunnels.
Christine
Now we are in Flam, actually on the Flam Railway train on our journey up to Vanahalsen.
Some information on the Flamsbana, it is one of the steepest standard gauge railways in the world. As early as 1871 a Myrdal to Flam railway was planned. This would join up with the Bergen line. In summer many tourists wanted to visit the fjord.
At the foot of the steep bends of Myrdalssvingene there was a sign imploring: "Be gentle to your horse and walk up the hill." Most travelers followed this advice, but some tourists were encumbered by a physique that made it impossibly strenuous for them to ascent to the top.
Along comes the German invasion, they demanded that the railway be completed and as early as 1940 they had trains running along the line. The original trains were steam locomotives, but by 1944 the Flamsbana was electrified by the Germans, who completed their new power station at Kjosfossen falls. In 1944 the transformers which were required to operate the electric locomotives were sabotaged with explosive by a Norwegian resistance group from Oslo. Electrification was delayed. Since then there have been several updates.
- The railway line is 20.2 km long
- Height difference 863.2 m
- Maximum gradient 55%
- Minimum curve radius 130m
- Gauge 1435 mm
- Voltage 15000V-16 2/3 Hz
- Driving time 55 minutes
- Tunnels 20
- Bridges 1
- Water tunnels 4
- Halts 8
All the above statistics are off my bag I purchased in the gift shop at Flam.
Don't forget these mail boxes you will see them again.
All photos were taken through a rain lashed train window, some almost look like abstract art.
The train stopped at Kjosfossen Waterfall on the way up to take a look they pipe in Norwegian music.
One of the tunnels.
Christine
What a wonderful trip, even in the rain. You were well prepareprepared though
ReplyDeleteThe views were amazing and the train was such a good way to see them.
ReplyDelete