Tønsberg–Eidsfoss Line

The railway line Tønsberg Eidsfoss ( Norwegian " Tønsberg Eidsfossbanen " ( TEB) ) was a narrow gauge railway line in Norway. The branch line from the Vestfoldbane that led from Tønsberg in Vestfold by Eidsfoss, was opened on 18 October 1901, was until June 1, 1938 in operation. Part of the route was operated jointly with the railway line Holme beach - Vittingfoss.

An important customer was the ironworks Eidsfos Jernverk in Eidsfoss, which produces cast iron stoves. The construction of the line was a response to the strong economic development that emerged from the Vestfoldbane along the coast.

Tønsberg Eidsfossbanen

The planning of the route commenced even before the turn of the century. The cost of the route were estimated at 1.2 million crowns. 1896, the government provided a subsidy of 596,000 crowns in view. The rest was financed by public and private contributions.

On May 26, 1900, the Storting laid down to provide a loan of 125,000 crowns for the railway line.

The track was 48 km long, the maximum difference in height was 38 meters. In the early years, wood, fertilizers, milk and cereals were transported to. 1907 to a deficit of about 17,000 crowns was achieved on the track. This year, three steam locomotives were on track in use. For the mutual rental car between the Norwegian State Railways and the Tønsberg Eidsfossbane 40 Öre was overdue for a two-axle wagons per day, this came a Öre per linear kilometer. For passenger cars, separate agreements were. For the use of the six -kilometer stretch between Hillestad and Hoff by Holme beach - Vittingfossbane the Company received a fee.

Vestfold Privatbaner

In 1934, the merger of the two companies Holme beach - Vittingfossbanen and Tønsberg Eidsfossbanen for A / S Vestfold Privatbaner. Passenger traffic on the HVB was set on 27 September 1931. Goods traffic was temporarily set of 1935 due to the closure of Vittingfos Brug, since no goods were transported to.

The line was taken over by the state in 1938 and decommissioned on 1 June 1938. All tracks have been removed.

Remains of the railway line

The engine shed, the boat landing with rails in Eidsfoss and the Wasser- in Fresti are still available. The Revetal station is now a café and of Fossan was converted into a residence. All other intermediate stations are demolished, only few are yet to find the remains of the old railway bridges. The Østbybekken bru, a stone viaduct at Kopstad has been declared a heritage site in 1997.

Museum Foreningen Vestfold Privatbaner

South of the Hillestad School in Hynnås on the railway line Holme beach - Vittingfoss the club museum Foreningen Vestfold Privatbaner has rebuilt 150 meters of track. There, a copy of the station building Ramnes was rebuilt, this was in 2013 started the construction of a small engine shed.

« Eidsfosbanevise »

About the route a piece of music was written: the " Eidsfos train manner ". Composer and lyricist are unknown. There is a rehearsed by John Dehn shellac plate at a rate of 78 min -1 (Gramophone 72727 ).