Rallarmuseet

About the museum

Rallarmuseet is located in the Østre Lokstall (engine shed) at Finse, the highest station on the Bergen Line, and tells the story of the planning, surveying and construction of the railway over the mountain. The foundation Stiftelsen Rallarmuseet Finse was established on 2 September 1986 by Finse Vell, NSB, Finse 1222, Ulvik herad and Norsk Jernbaneklubb, with the aim of carrying forward the distinctive history of the high-mountain section. The museum opened in 1990, and new exhibitions were opened in 2009.

The exhibition “Norges framtids gjennombrudd” shows the building of the Bergen Line from 1871 to its opening in 1909. Old photographs and films from the line's operation and tourist life, songs about construction and barrack life, an authentic smithy and a construction barrack give a picture of the everyday life of the rallarer (navvies). The exhibition “Kampen mot snøen” shows historic snow-clearing equipment and tells how the high-mountain section was kept open throughout the winter.

Since summer 1992 the museum has run Rallarkafeen with an exhibition on track-keeper life in Fagernut vokterbolig (track-keeper's house), which lies 1,310 metres above sea level and 10 kilometres west of Finse along the Rallarvegen.

Highlights

• The exhibition “Norges framtids gjennombrudd” on the building of the Bergen Line 1871–1909
• Authentic smithy and construction barrack from the navvy era
• The exhibition “Kampen mot snøen” with historic snow-clearing equipment
• Rallarkafeen in Fagernut vokterbolig, 10 km west of Finse along the Rallarvegen
• Location in the Østre Lokstall by Finse station

Permanent exhibitions

• Norges framtids gjennombrudd – The exhibition shows the building of the Bergen Line from 1871 to its opening in 1909, with photographs, film, songs, an authentic smithy and a construction barrack.
• Kampen mot snøen – Historic snow-clearing equipment and the story of how the high-mountain section was kept open throughout the winter.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Stiftinga Rallarmuseet Finse

Admission & discounts

Admission NOK 40 per person.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Østre Lokstall at Finse, by the station. The Rallarvegen passes the site.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Rallarkafeen in Fagernut vokterbolig, 10 km west of Finse, serves waffles, coffee and mineral water; it is closed in winter.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.