Rjukanbanen
Museum railway and ferry facilities from Norsk Hydro's era at Lake Tinnsjø, with Mæl station, goods wagons, rail ferries and the steam ferry Ammonia.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Rjukanbanen was built by Norsk Hydro to carry goods and people between the industrial town of Rjukan and the outside world. The railway was opened by King Haakon in 1909. Together with car ferries on Lake Tinnsjø, it formed an important link in the transport chain for products from Rjukan.
The rail ferry M/F Storegut was built in 1956 at Glommen Mek. Verksted. It was transported by train to Tinnoset, assembled there and launched on 25 May 1956. At the time it was the largest domestic rail ferry in Northern Europe, and from 1956 to 1991 it was the largest vessel operated by Hydro and Rjukanbanen on Lake Tinnsjø.
Today Rjukanbanen is run by Norsk Industriarbeidermuseum and is part of the World Heritage property Rjukan–Notodden industrial heritage. At present there is no train traffic on the railway and no boat traffic on Lake Tinnsjø, but the station area at Mæl can be visited.
Highlights
- Mæl station with protected buildings and old goods and passenger wagons
- Rail ferry M/F Storegut from 1956
- Steam ferry Ammonia, "Tinnsjøens Dronning" (Queen of Tinnsjø)
- The lighthouses along Lake Tinnsjø and Rjukan station
- Part of the World Heritage property Rjukan–Notodden industrial heritage
- Founded
- 1909
- Operated by
- Norsk Industriarbeidermuseum
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Guided tour (price per tour, in addition to admission) | NOK 750Book at booking@nia.no |
|---|
Visiting Mæl station is free of charge. A guided tour costs NOK 750 in addition to the entrance ticket and is booked at booking@nia.no.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The ferries are not adapted for people with reduced mobility. The area is protected but not fenced, so visitors must take care.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking on site. Mæl station is by Lake Tinnsjø in Miland, while Rjukan station has the address Såheimsvegen 26 in Rjukan.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Visitors may bring their own food and drink and eat in the station area with a view over Lake Tinnsjø.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Tours and events are booked at booking@nia.no. |
