Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana)

Flåm Utvikling (Vy)
Norway
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The Journey

Navigate from Myrdal Station to Flåm Station across a span of 20.2km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Kjosfossen Waterfall (225m free-fall, photo stop with Huldra performance)
  • Aurlandsfjord Arrival (Flåm terminus)
  • Flåmsdalen Valley Drop (864m over 20km)
  • Myrdal Plateau Summit (866m)
  • Rjoande Waterfall
  • Reinunga and Vatnahalsen spiral section (tightest curve geometry)
  • Høga Bridge and 20 hand-excavated tunnels
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    0.92 hours

  • Distance

    20.2 km

  • Est. Price

    Moderate to Expensive

Official Booking Provider

Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: Light refreshments

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No


Engine / Locomotive

NSB El 18 electric locomotives (Vy / Flåm Utvikling)

Track Gauge

1,435 mm (standard gauge)

Braking Technology

Electric regenerative braking + pneumatic disc brakes on carriages; failsafe spring-applied parking brakes on steep gradients

Route Engineering Challenges
  • 5.5% (1 in 18) gradient — one of the steepest standard-gauge adhesion railways in the world

  • 863m elevation drop over 20.2 km requiring precise braking management

  • 18 of 20 tunnels hand-excavated through unstable mountain bedrock in 1920s–1940s

  • Multiple tight curves (down to ~130m radius) requiring specialized bogie design

  • Kjosfossen section requires specialist waterfall drainage and flood management

  • Winter ice and snow management on exposed sections above 800m elevation

  • Single-track operation with passing loops only at major stations

  • Maximum operating speed 40 km/h (limited by gradient and curve geometry, not locomotive power)

Route Length

20.2 km

Maximum Altitude (Myrdal)

866 m

Minimum Altitude (Flåm)

2.8 m

Total Elevation Drop

864 m

Maximum Gradient

5.5% (1 in 18)

Number of Stations

11

Number of Tunnels

20 (18 hand-excavated 1924–1940)

Power System

15 kV AC 16.7 Hz overhead line

Maximum Operating Speed

40 km/h

Locomotive Power Output

~2,540 kW (NSB El 18 class)

Year Opened

1941 (15 October)

Construction Period

1924–1940

Infrastructure Owner

Bane NOR

Operating Company

Flåm Utvikling (subsidiary of Vy)

Gauge

1,435 mm (standard)

Number of Tracks

Single (with passing loops)

Character

Tourist / scenic train (connecting to Bergen Line)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    0.92 hours

  • Distance

    20.2 km

  • Est. Price

    Moderate to Expensive

Official Booking Provider