Krøderbanen preserves the full branch line between Vikersund and Krøderen, with historic stations and trains spread across a remarkably long museum railway.
PlaceKrøderen and Vikersund
ExperienceStandard-gauge museum railway
On the railsSteam railway · Diesel railcar
The place
A railway story you can step into
The line opened in 1872 to connect Krøderen with Randsfjordbanen at Vikersund. Today its 26-kilometre route, station environments and rolling stock show how a Norwegian branch railway worked through the steam and diesel eras.
Krøderen station forms the main museum environment, while the railway itself connects the collection to the landscape and communities it once served. Different operating days may feature steam trains, diesel traction or railcars.
What you can experience
Look closer
01
Historic trains over Norway's longest preserved museum railway
A train can travel over a substantial preserved branch, giving time for the relationship between stations, track, settlements and landscape to emerge.
02
The protected station environment and exhibition at Krøderen
Krøderen station gathers the protected buildings, exhibition and much of the rolling-stock experience at the northern end of the line.
03
Steam locomotives, diesel traction, railcars and period passenger stock
Steam, diesel and railcar operation reveal successive railway eras. The operator's programme identifies which traction and section of line are planned for each date.
History
From lake connection to Norway's longest railway museum
Krøderbanen began as a branch carrying people, agricultural goods and timber between Lake Krøderen and Randsfjordbanen. Preservation saved the whole twenty-six-kilometre route, allowing the line's stations and landscape to be understood as a connected transport system.
The narrow-gauge branch opens
Krøderbanen opened between Vikersund and Krøderen. At its northern end, trains connected with lake transport; at Vikersund they met Randsfjordbanen and the railway towards Drammen. 123
A temporary route towards Bergen — then standard gauge
For a short period in 1908, Krøderen and Gulsvik formed part of the journey towards the unfinished Bergensbanen, with a boat connection across the lake. The branch was converted to standard gauge in 1909. 12
Local passenger traffic ends
Regular passenger trains were withdrawn, while freight traffic continued to serve the district. That separation explains why the railway survived physically for decades after ordinary passenger use ended. 2
Protection, closure and museum operation
Krøderen station and the upper part of the line were protected in 1981. NSB freight operation ended in 1985, and museum railway operation followed from 1987, preserving the complete branch. 123
Rail heritage placeOpen the marker for the detailed map
The highlighted number locates this stop within Norway. Open it for the detailed map.
Location & journey
Place it in your route
Getting there
The railway stretches between Vikersund and Krøderen, and not every event uses the same boarding point. Check the ticket or programme before choosing which end of the line to travel to.
Planning context
Because the museum occupies a whole branch, travel time and the return arrangement matter more than at a static museum. Treat the railway timetable as the structure of the day.
The train offer varies by date and does not necessarily cover every part of the line on every operating day. Check Krøderbanen's current programme before travelling.
