Ringerike Line

Ringerike Line
Map of the route of Ringeriksbanen from Sandvika (south) to Hønefoss (north); tunnels indicated by dotted lines.
Overview
Native name	Ringeriksbanen
Type	Railway
System	Norwegian railway network
Status	Proposed
Locale	Ringerike, Norway
Termini	Sandvika Station Hønefoss Station
Stations	4
Operation
Owner	Norwegian National Rail Administration
Character	Mixed
Technical
Line length	40 kilometres (25 mi)
Number of tracks	Single
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification	15 kV  16 2⁄3 Hz AC
Operating speed	200 km/h (120 mph)

The Ringerike Line (Norwegian: Ringeriksbanen or Ringeriksbana) is a proposed 40-kilometre (25 mi) extension of the Bergen Line from Hønefoss to Sandvika, Norway. It would reduce travel from Oslo to Bergen by 60 kilometres (37 mi) and 50 minutes. Currently trains from the Bergen Line to Oslo must run via Drammen on the Randsfjord Line and the Drammen Line, or via Roa on the Roa–Hønefoss Line and the Gjøvik Line.

The project was presented as part of the original proposal of the Bergen Line when approved by Parliament in 1894, but due to the narrow gauge on the Drammen Line at the time, a temporary solution via Roa was chosen instead. Later proposals have been launched, and parliament has voted over it in 1954, 1978, 1984 and 1992; only the last being passed, but not followed up by funding, and the Norwegian National Rail Administration has not allocated any date to start construction; detailed plans have however been produced.

The line would branch off from the Asker Line just west of Sandvika Station, and continue mostly in tunnel to Hønefoss Station, with an intermediate station at Sundvollen. While only single track, sufficient passing loops every six to eight kilometers, each at 750 metres (2,460 ft), would be built allowing 600 metres (2,000 ft) long freight trains. Capacity would be eight trains per hour operating at 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph) permitting both freight and passenger trains through 22.5 tonne axle load and maximum 1.2% gradient; electrification would be at the Norwegian standard 15 kV  16 ²⁄₃ Hz AC. In 2002 a route over Åsa was preferred to a route over Kroksund by parliament; despite less passenger potential for local traffic and NOK 700 million more expensive, this would give a smaller environmental impact. Travel time for the quickest trains from Hønefoss to Oslo would be 30 minutes, compared to 60 minutes by bus or 95 minutes by current trains.