Holmestrand–Vittingfoss Line

Holmestrand–Hvittingfoss Line
Aluminum train in Holmestrand in 1923
Overview
Native name	Holmestrand–Hvittingfossbanen
Type	Railway
System	Norwegian railways
Status	Abandoned
Termini	Holmestrand Hvittingfoss
Operation
Opened	30 September 1902
Closed	1 June 1938
Owner	Vestfold Privatbaner
Operator(s)	Vestfold Privatbaner
Character	Freight of pulp
Technical
Line length	29.80 km (18.52 mi)
Number of tracks	Single
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	No
Operating speed	30 km/h (19 mph)
Route map km 29.80 Hvittingfoss(1902) 22.70 Kleppan(1902) 20.60 Haslestad(1902) Tønsberg–Eidsfoss Line from Eidsfoss 19.40 Hof(1901) 17.10 Sundbyfoss(1901) 13.40 Hildestad(1901) Tønsberg–Eidsfoss Line to Tønsberg 13.40 Hynnås(1902) 7.50 Guldhaug(1902) Ramberg(?) Vestfold Line from Drammen Holmestrand Station 0.00 Holmestrand Private Station Innlofjellet Tunnel(1902, 342 m) 1.00 Gausen(1929) Reversen(1902) Vestfold Line to Tønsberg

The Holmestrand–Hvittingfoss Line (Norwegian: Holmestrand–Hvittingfossbanen) or HVB is an abandoned railway between Holmestrand to Hvittingfoss in Norway. It consisted of two sections: a 13.4-kilometer (8.3 mi) line from Holmestrand to Hillestad and a 10.4-kilometer (6.5 mi) section from Hof to Hvittingfoss. The two parts were connected by a 6 kilometers (4 mi) section of the Tønsberg–Eidsfoss Line. At Holmestrand Station, the line connected to the Vestfold Line of the Norwegian State Railways. HVB was opened on 30 September 1902 and closed on 1 June 1938. The main purpose of the line was the transport of wood pulp at Hvittingfoss, although it was also used for passenger transport until 1931.

The 30-kilometre (19 mi) narrow gauge railway executed a steep climb from Holmestrand to Hvittingfoss. It had a maximum gradient of 2.5 percent, a minimum curve radius of 100 metres (330 ft) and a track weight of 17.5 kg/m. At Holmestrand, the line followed a zig-zag pattern up the hill, forcing the trains to back into Holmestand Station. Located up from Holmestrand is a 300 metres (980 ft)—the only on the line. From Holmestrand to Hillestad, the line is 13.4 kilometers (8.3 mi). There, it runs concurrently with the Tønsberg–Eidsfoss Line for 6 kilometers (4 mi), before splitting again at Hof and running 10.4 kilometers (6.5 mi) to Hvittingfoss.

In Holmestrand there was a spur to Nordisk Aluminium, which remained in use as a branch of the Vestfold Line until 1984.

In Holmestrand, the locomotive shed is still in use, although urban growth has removed all other remnants of the line. The right-of-way out of town is used as a suburban street. The tunnel has fallen into disuse, but from there the right-of-way is used as a trail. Towards Hillestad the railway ran in agricultural land, which has been reclaimed. The last few kilometers towards Hillestad, the route is used as a forestry road. From Hof, the right-of-way is gone, but along the last section down to Hvittingfoss, the right-of-way remains as a forestry road. The station and freight house have been preserved.