Solbergfoss Line
| Length: | Starts: | Ends: | Status: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 km | Askim Station | Solbergfoss Station | Abandoned |
The Solbergfoss Line was a 7.9-kilometre long branch line of the Eastern Østfold Line which ran between Askim and Solbergfoss. It was built to transport goods to Solbergfoss Power Station which opened in 1924. Passenger services were operated by railcars until 1965 when the line was abolished.
Padda at Askim. Photo: askimlinjene.com
The opening
The railway line was completed in the end of 1917. Used tracks, sleepers and bridge parts were used in order to reduce the construction costs, although the line was built normal-gauged. The official opening was in February 1918. The maximum permitted speed for the freight trains was 15 kilometres per hour.
Railcars
From 1920, passenger trains started to operate on the Solbergfoss Line. Used couches were bought from the Norwegian State Railways. The plan was to terminate the freight and passenger services right after the completion of the power plant, but the trains continued to operate on the line which were renamed as _Bruksbanen Askim–Solbergfoss_. Due to low ridership, it was decided to use railcars instead of passenger couches. _Gamla_, the first railcar, was ordered in 1928 and put into service on 1 March 1929. Ten years later, the railcar _Padda_ was ordered. These railcars had a capacity of 17 and 24 passengers respectively. As well as the termini Askim and Solbergfoss, the railcars stopped at the platforms Instad, Tømt and Oppegaard.
Closed
The railway line was outcompeted by private cars during the 1960s and was no longer profitable. As a result, the railcar services terminated on 4 January 1965. The Norwegian Railway Club took over the railcars in 1969. In 1970, the line was reconstructed as a rail trail. There are still many cultural memories of the Solbergfoss Line. The remains of a turntable is located in Askim city centre. Skaarud Bridge and the couch shed at Solbergfoss still exist. A few meters of track remains at the entrance of Solbergfoss Hydroelectric Power Station. The loading ramp is preserved at Tømt Platform.
The future
The purpose of the association "Friends of the Solbergfoss Line" is to preserve the remains of the line. They are planning to reconstruct 600 metres of track from the power plant and southwards. Draisine rentals are also considered. The association's future plan is to buy the railcar _Padda_ back from the Norwegian Railway Club and put it once again into service.