About the Rørosbanen (The Røros Line)

Train journeys are the most incredible way to create memories and enjoy the journey. To pass through the countryside and fields and see the local lives of the people there as you move past it has its separate aesthetics. The Rørosbanen is one such railway line in Norway. Countless people are using it to move from city to city within the country. The railways are opted by many passengers for the ease of transportation locally. The view outside is peaceful and calming, providing quality travel time to anyone.

The construction of Rørosbanen

The Rørosbanen or Røros Line is Norway’s one of the oldest train lines. It is believed to have been built in 1877, making it an ancient train line. The line connects the stations of Hamar, Røros, Trondheim and Østerdalen. Østerdalen is a beautifully wild place with immense scenic beauty. It will take about 5 hours to travel from Hamar to Trondheim. The 5-hour journey is filled with 39 different stations in between. The distance covered is around 382 kilometers, through the country’s most scenic and quaint route. Norwegian National Rail Administration carries out the maintenance of the line.

The trunk line created in the year 1854 paved the way to newer projects to construct more rail lines in the country. Several propositions were made to introduce train lines to connect different stations within Norway. This would meet local and regional needs for transport efficiently. After surveys to decide upon a route, Carl Phil suggested two routes connecting Trondheim to Støren and Østerdalen to Hamar. These routes were necessary for the transport of passengers as well as goods. The ministry intended to construct these two routes along with another one, the Kongsvinger line. Since the government was not very happy about the private construction of the Trunkline, these three new routes were agreed to be made as state railway lines. The cost of the building would be the burden of the government, and the arrangement was approved by the parliament. Usually, in these scenarios, the government borrows money in bulk for the construction and pays it back in installments to the world banks or private businesses. The parliament did not see it as a hassle and approved the project instantly.

As the construction started, several methods to cut costs were introduced. Since it was the government, who had to bear all the costs, finding cheaper alternatives were a necessity. Phil proposed the use of narrow gauges to build the lines to make them cost-effective. Even though it was unconventional then, later, it became one of the most used lines in the country. So, it is safe to say that the techniques worked big time. Over the years of construction, several extensions were made from the initial plan to cover more area and cut costs. The construction did not happen in one stretch. It continued from 1862 to 1877 in an on-and-off manner.

History of Røros

The land of Røros is considered a heritage site by UNESCO. The mountains of Røros were said to have copper, and it was discovered in the 1600s. The metal was mined with technology and labor from different parts of the world. The mining technology was mostly German. The town grew into a hub of people of different kinds. Cultural enrichment has also taken place during this time. Later on, the mining was all shut down, and the place made it to UNESCO’s list of heritage sites. The remnants of copper mines and mining are still a part of the land, and it points to a once hectic time of copper mining. The streets and the structures still resemble the architecture of the 1600s. The winter of Røros is considered one of the coldest seasons in the whole of Norway.

 

The charming route of Rørosbanen

The route followed by the Rørosbanen (also known as The Røros Line) is pretty as a picture. It is immensely beautiful, passing through 39 stations, serving almost ten cities along the way. All the major villages have a station each. The line also matched the provincial lines of these villages and became incredibly useful to the population. The Oslo airport also falls under the route of this line. Even though it is said that the line runs between Hamar to Trondheim, the journey begins at Oslo in the north. In the early years, the journey from Oslo to Trondheim was two days long. So, people had to stop, stay at hotels, and continue their journey. But now, sleepers have been introduced to eliminate this need. To the north of the Harbor Station, the line reached its highest point of 2200 ft. The Røros line is a nonelectrified single-track line.

Cities and stations along the Røros Line

The Rørosbanen covers 10 cities in its 382 km long journey. The journey takes 5 hours and is packed with the most beautiful views. The trains pass through old towns and cities with a culture of their own. Upon leaving the Hamar station. You can observe how the sights outside change from the railways to breath-taking landscapes with flowing rivers. One of them, the Scandinavian Glomma river, marks an important beauty of the journey. As the train moves, old stations arrive in all their past glory. That itself is a sight for sore eyes. The constructional diversity of these old stations can be seen as an architectural treasure.

Another major highlight along the way is the wilderness. Most of the lands outside are dense forests. The lucky passengers may even get to see a wolf or two as well. Lynx, bears, and moose are also regular visitors to these forests. The forests have tree houses that are functionally perfect even at this age.

The winters in these lands are so perfect. They are inspirational for many creative minds like writers and poets. The Disney movie ‘Frozen’ takes its inspiration from these spectacular woods. That itself is a key milestone for the location.

Not just the forests, these lands have hotels and restaurants to satiate a roaring stomach. They offer the local cuisine in its finest form for the passengers to munch on while enjoying the magnificent view outside. Trondheim offers you a more city-like experience with numerous hotels to choose from. The whole place has a festive feel to it always. It is a coastal town that used to be the Viking capital. It is the final station of the whole 5-hour journey where the passengers can find aesthetically pleasing suites to stay the night. The city offers its most wonderful side to every visitor, all year round. The cultural enigma is barely noticeable among all the buzz of galas and festivities. Norway proves to be a fine choice for a perfect Scandinavian holiday spot with family, friends, or even a solo trip.

Stations along the way 

The stations within Hamar and Trondheim were designed by an architect, Georg Bull. The perfection of the structures makes it hard to believe that it was his debut construction. The designs follow all Swiss wood styles of architecture. Even though the Trunkline and Kongsvinger line are the contemporary lines of Rørosbanen,  it is quite different from the former two. The narrow gauge is a highlight of the Rørosbanen line. It was a tactic to cut costs but proved effective later on. The stations that lie south of the railway line are more spacious and decked up. The ones to the north are comparatively smaller. This is due to the cost-effective ways of the project. One of the stations is built in stone- the Elverum Station. Soon enough, Bull was joined by another architect, Blix, who proposed more creative ideas to the structures. Bull created a more simple design in comparison to Blix. Together, they incorporated elements from the nation’s traditions and cultures to design the buildings. The stations had guard houses attached to them as well. But only a few of these stations are preserved. Several stations had to undergo expansion in the later years due to functional requirements. Other stations were prey to fire accidents or other hazards over the years.

The capital of Norway, Oslo, is the cultural hub of several activities. There is an international mix of cultures, art, and music for any visitor to delve in. the place is also rich in science and history for people who are really into those. It is guaranteed to satisfy all kinds of people, irrespective of their nationality, culture, language, or ethnicity. Everyone has a place here.

 

The stunning creeks and highlands of Norway present a truly marvelous landscape in all of Europe, and they are available to be encountered on picturesque train lanes. Any trip can be made perfect with a visit to the exhilarating settlements and towns along the way. Train journeys have a charm of their own. The experience delivered by Rørosbanen is no different. The people are guaranteed to have the time of their lives before, after, and along the journey. Norway is the ultimate destination for an audacious European vacation.