Vålerenga Line | |||
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Overview | |||
Native name | Vålerenglinjen | ||
Type | Tramway | ||
System | Oslo Tramway | ||
Locale | Oslo, Norway | ||
Operation | |||
Opened | 3 May 1900 | ||
Closed | 23 June 1968 | ||
Owner |
Kristiania Sporveisselskab (1900–24) Oslo Sporveier (1924–68) |
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Character | Tramway | ||
Depot(s) | Vålerenga Depot | ||
Technical | |||
Number of tracks | Double | ||
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) | ||
Electrification | 600 V DC | ||
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The Vålerenga Line (Norwegian: Vålerengalinjen), also known as Helsfyr Line and Etterstad Line, is an abandoned line of the Oslo Tramway of Norway. It branched from the Gamlebyen Line in Schweigaards gate and ran into the neighborhoods of Vålerenga, Etterstad and Helsfyr. The line followed the streets of Schweigaards gate, St. Halvars gate, Enebakkveien, one direction each in Vålerenggata and Strømsveien, and Etterstadgata. The line continued as a suburban light rail as the Østensjø Line and the Lambertseter Line.
The line was established by Kristiania Sporveisselskab (KSS) on 3 May 1900. In 1923 the first part of the Østensjø Line, owned by Akersbanerne, opened, as did KSS's Vålerenga Depot was opened. Ownership of the line passed to Oslo Sporveier in 1924. Two years later the Østensjø Line open, but not until 1937, when Bærumsbanen took over operations, was there provided a through service. The Østensjø Line became part of the Oslo Metro in 1966. With the reduction in traffic, the Vålerenga Line was closed on 23 June 1968, as part of a citywide gradual closure of the tramway.
The Vålerenga Line was a branch of the Gamlebyen Line, which served the neighborhoods of Vålerenga, Helsfyr and Etterstad. The Vålerenga Line branched from the Gamlebyen Line in Schewigaards gate and continued along it before following St. Halvars gate, Enebakkveien, Vålerenggata and finally Etterstadgata. From 1923 part of the tracks were rearranged, so that the upward tracks (bound northeast) went through Vålerengagata, while the downward bound tracks placed in Strømsveien. The line was also extended over the Gjøvik Line. The line originally had its terminus in Etterstadgata, but from 1926 it was placed at Grensen, on the municipal border. From there the line continued as the Østensjø Line as a suburban light rail.