On 27th November 1909, a railway between Norway’s two largest cities was opened: the Bergen Line. At the same time, one of Europe’s most spectacular railways was opened to traffic. The Bergen Line remains one of the world’s most famous railways and as recently as spring, 2009, was voted one of the 20 best railway journeys in the world. The 100 year anniversary will be marked with several events throughout the year.
King Haakon VII characterised the Bergen Line across the high mountains as ’the great achievement of our age’ when he opened the railway in November 1909. Norway’s two largest cities and the eastern and western parts of the country were connected with a railway that many had believed would be impossible to build and operate.
The Bergen Line cost an annual state budget to build and continues to be one of the world’s most famous tourist lines with passenger traffic steadily increasing. The line is equally important to business and the great amount of goods traffic that is conveyed between eastern and western Norway.
