Thamshavnbanen
Museum railway between Løkken Verk and Svorkmo on Norway's first electric railway in regular operation, opened in 1908.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Thamshavnbanen was built from 1906 by Salvesen & Thams to carry sulphur pyrite from the mines at Løkken Verk to the shipping port at Thamshavn. The Thamshavn–Svorkmo section opened on 10 July 1908, and regular traffic started five days later. The line to Løkken Verk officially opened in August 1910, but had by then been in use for about two years. From the first day the trains ran on electricity, with 6,600-volt single-phase alternating current, and the railway is regarded as Norway's first electric railway in regular operation.
Passenger and freight traffic was discontinued on 30 April 1963, and the line was then used as a company railway. The last ore train ran on 29 May 1974. The line was never formally closed, only placed in a state of operational rest, and it has been protected since 2013. The association Thamshavnbanens Venner (Friends of the Thamshavnbanen) was founded in December 1982, and the first museum train ran on 10 July 1983. Since 1987 Orkla Industrimuseum has run the railway.
Today museum trains run in the summer between Løkken and Svorkmo. Among the carriages are two passenger carriages from 1908, a restaurant carriage and a royal carriage from the same period. The railway is about 25 kilometres long in total.
Highlights
- Norway's first electric railway in regular operation
- Passenger carriages from 1908
- Restaurant carriage and royal carriage
- The Løkken–Svorkmo section
- Protected technical heritage site
- Founded
- 1983
- Operated by
- Orkla Industrimuseum (MiST)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 100 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 80Seniors (honnør) and persons under 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children under 16 travel free when accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | NOK 80Senior ticket (honnør). |
| First class (supplement per person) | NOK 50 |
Prices per single journey. Tickets are bought online or at the stations; the online ticket is shown at the ticket window and exchanged for a travel document. Remember to book the return journey. Holders of free passes must also reserve a seat.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Two of the passenger carriages from 1908 have wheelchair ramps. It is recommended to transfer from a wheelchair to an ordinary seat after boarding, because the goods compartment is cramped. The restaurant carriage and the royal carriage are not accessible by wheelchair. Help with boarding and alighting can be useful. The commentary is mostly given over the loudspeaker. Disabled (HC) toilets are at the stations Løkken, Fannrem and Bårdshaug.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
AtB bus (see atb.no for timetables).
By car
Free parking
Free parking along the road at all visitor sites.
Amenities & dining
- Restaurant
Restaurant carriage with simple service or a three-course meal; the carriage is not accessible by wheelchair.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Dogs are not allowed on the trains. Group travel and guided tours off the route are arranged with the museum. |
