When Fridtjof Nansen decided to go cross-country skiing across the Hardangervidda plateau in 1884, he formed the foundation for what would later become the railway line between Bergen and Oslo. Nansen made the terrain between the mountain known for the politicians in Parliament. It was namely several opinions about where the railway should go. Should the Bergen Line be constructed along the Sognefjord or Hardanger Fjord? Or should it cross the Hemsedal Mountains? The choice finally fell on Hardangervidda. In 1884, the first part were built from Voss to Taugevatn located 1,301 meters above sea level. Between Bergen and Voss there existed already a narrow gauge railway. In the following years the line was gradually extended eastward before it finally was officially opened on 27 November 1909.
Restructuring
The Bergen Line is currently 371 kilometres long and is defined as the line between Hønefoss and Bergen. The total distance between Oslo Central Station and Bergen is 483 kilometres. Originally the route was longer because it followed the Gjøvik Line from Oslo to Roa via Nordmarka and then to Hønefoss via Jevnaker. From 1984, passenger traffic was routed via Drammen instead, which is a more population-rich area, even though this part is 35 kilometres longer. When the Ringerike Line between Sandvika and Hønefoss is completed, the travel time on the Bergen Line will be reduced by almost an hour.
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