Setesdalsbanen

Setesdalsbanen linked Kristiansand with inland communities and lake transport at Byglandsfjord. The preserved line is historically important not only for its 1,067 mm gauge, but because local railway supporters began saving it within months of the final ordinary train.

1. 1890–1896

   Parliamentary approval and opening

   The Storting approved the railway in 1890, and the 78-kilometre line between Kristiansand and Byglandsfjord opened in 1896. Steamships at Byglandsfjord extended the transport chain farther into Setesdal. 12

2. 1938

   Grovane becomes a break-of-gauge station

   When standard-gauge Sørlandsbanen reached Kristiansand, the southern part of Setesdalsbanen was displaced. Passengers and goods had to transfer between standard-gauge trains and the 1,067 mm valley railway at Grovane. 2

3. 1962

   The last ordinary train

   After a closure decision in 1960, the final ordinary train ran on 2 September 1962. Most of the railway was dismantled, but the section north from Grovane became the basis for preservation. 12

4. 1963–1964

   Norway's first preserved railway begins

   Setesdalsbanens Hobbyklubb was founded in October 1963, and the first veteran train ran in June 1964. The rapid response made Setesdalsbanen a pioneer of operating railway preservation in Norway. 2

5. 2004

   The museum railway reaches Røyknes

   Reconstruction extended the preserved railway to Røyknes, creating today's eight-kilometre route from Grovane and returning more of the original valley alignment to use. 12