Flåmsbana
Anyone who has ever heard about Flåm, must have heard about Flåmsbana as well. This twenty-kilometer train route from Flåm to Myrdal is very popular travel destination for tourists from all the world, comparable with Prekestolen or Trolltunga. The train journey is considered one of the most spectacular in the world. Ascending the high steep peaks on both sides of the valley, and beautiful waterfalls can charm the visitors.
The construction of the railway between Flåm and Myrdal should be regarded as a masterpiece of engineering. It started at the beginning of the 20th century and the first trains could pass the route in 1940 (20 years after beginning of work). Distance between both stations is 20 km and vertical difference is 863.5 m. The route inclination is 28% (55/1000). For safety purposes, there are five independent braking systems available, each of which is able to stop the train. The entire route runs through 20 tunnels of a total length of 6 km, and most of them have been hollowed by human hands. The most difficult to build was the Vatnahalsen tunnel, where the line turns 180 degrees. For security reasons, the line was designed to avoid crossing bridges; the river was directed through four tunnels under the railway line. The opening for traction was on August 1, 1940, mainly for freight and electrified was made 4 years later as one of the first lines in Norway.
In Myrdal, the line connects to the main railway route between Oslo and Bergen. In summer, trains run on the Flåm – Myrdal route up to ten times a day (4 to 5 out of season) and the 20km route takes about an hour. The train stops at intermediate stations. One of the most memorable is the station on the scenic terrace next to the Kjosfossen waterfall. Apart from the roar of the huge masses of water, travelers can hear the music coming from the loudspeakers. After the first sounds, right next to the waterfall appears a dancing woman dressed in a red robe.





This amazing performance can be seen in the movie below.
The whole show is related to Norwegian legends and folklore. This dancing woman is Huldra, the equivalent of a Slavic forest nymph. Huldra appeared in foggy forests, mountains or by waterfalls, and with their dance and singing seduced lonely travelers. Tempted by their charms men they took to the caves where they lost their lives. Some legends tell of the Huldra living near charcoal burners camps, guarding fireplaces and guarding the men working there. They were presented as beautiful women with long, dissolved hair in long dresses to hide their cows or fox tails.
Role of Huldra by the Kjosfossen waterfall play the students of the ballet school.
Other waterfalls seen from the train windows are the majestic Rjoandefossen (310 meters high), Brekkefossen, Myrdalsfossen and Kårdalsfossen.
Not less impressive is the ride through the mentioned earlier Vatnahalsen tunnel, where there are partially open sections, so you can enjoy the views outside the tunnel.







When you return to Flåm, you can go to Flåmsbana Museum (Flåmsbanemuseet), the entrance is free of charge. Inside you will find out about the history of the Flåm – Myrdal railway line, watch the train models and interesting exhibits from the first half of the twentieth century. The museum also includes a souvenir shop.
This entry was originally posted 2017-07-07 on https://kraina-trolli.pl.


