Setesdal Train Journey
We took the kids on the Setesdal train on a beautiful sunny Sunday in July. It was fantastic and the kids loved it. It has great scenery and is a very relaxing ride. You can stop off at some points and the train will pick you up again either on the way back, or when it does another lap again later in the day. There is a shop at the end of the journey where you can buy food and drinks and reduced prices (I guess the local Kristiansand Government reduces the taxes on the food or something). Anyway, it is well worth the trip and is only 40 min drive from the Kristiansand City centre.
Setesdalsbanen (Setesdal Railway) is a heritage railway between Kristiansand and Byglandsfjord in southern Norway, 78 km long. It was built with a narrow gauge of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in), and opened to Hægeland November 26, 1895, and to Byglandsfjord November 27, 1896. Stations along the line included Mosby, Vennesla, Grovene (Grovane), Iveland and Hægeland
When the Sørlandsbanen (Sørland Railway) was opened to Kristiansand in 1938, Grovane became the new terminal station for Setesdalsbanen, with connection to Sørlandsbanen.
Setesdalsbanen was suspended from September 1, 1962, and the track was demolished between Byglandsfjord and Beihølen. The 6 km line between Beihølen and Grovane was, however, preserved by local enthusiasts. The Setesdalsbanen Hobby Club was established already in 1964.
Today, Setesdalsbanen is a railway museum with steam trains serving the 8 km line between Grovane and Røyknes. Four steam locomotives from 1894-1902 are preserved, along with a number of passenger and freight cars.
ww.setesdalsbanen.no
Grovane Station, 4700 Vennesla
Tel: (+47) 38 15 64 82
post@setesdalsbanen.no
Setesdal train from Grovane
14/06 to 30/08 at times - 1130, 1320, 1510
07/07 to 23/07 at times - 1805
Setesdal train from Røyknes
14/06 - 30/08 at times - 1220, 1410
Prices are
Adults - 100 NOK
Kids - 50 NOK
You can also take your bike on the train for an extra 20 NOK
