Bratsberg Line

The Bratsberg Line (Norwegian: Bratsbergbanen) is a 74-kilometre long (46 mi) railway line between Eidanger and Notodden in Telemark, Norway. It opened in 1917, connecting the Tinnos Line, the Sørland Line and the Vestfold Line; allowing Norsk Hydro to transport fertilizer from their plant at Rjukan to the port in Skien. Since 1991 only passenger trains are operated, using Y1 stock by Norges Statsbaner (NSB).

The railway is single track and features Norway's tallest railway bridge, Hjukse Bridge at 65 metres (213 ft). It is owned by the Norwegian National Rail Administration

Service

Norges Statsbaner (NSB) operates three Y1 diesel railcars between Notodden and Porsgrunn each hour. The route is on contract with the county through the transit authority Vestviken Kollektivtrafikk. NSB uses diesel traction despite the railway being electrified.

History

Background

The need for a railway line from Notodden to Skien was driven forward by two key circumstances; the need for a railway to replace the Telemark Canal, and the construction of Sørlandsbanen.