Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana)

Vy / Flåmsbana AS
Norway
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The Journey

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

Scenery Highlights
  • Kjosfossen Waterfall
  • Aurlandsfjord Arrival
  • Flåmsdalen Valley Drop
  • Myrdal Plateau Summit
  • Rjoande Waterfall
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

Engine / Locomotive

EL18 electric locomotives (Vy / Norwegian State Railways)

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 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

  • Multiple tight curves requiring specialized bogie design

  • Kjosfossen section requires specialist waterfall drainage and flood management

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

Route Length

20.2 km

Maximum Altitude

866.8 m (Myrdal)

Minimum Altitude

2.8 m (Flåm)

Total Elevation Drop

864 m

Maximum Gradient

5.5% (1 in 18)

Number of Tunnels

20 (18 hand-excavated)

Power System

15 kV AC 16⅔ Hz overhead line

Maximum Speed

60 km/h

Locomotive Power Output

2,540 kW (EL18 class)

Year Opened

1941

Construction Period

1924–1940

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    0.92 hours

  • Distance

    20.2 km

  • Est. Price

    Moderate to Expensive

Official Booking Provider