The Tinnoset line, Bratsbergline and Notodden railway station

About

Discover the rich industrial and railway heritage of Notodden. This is where two iconic railway lines — Tinnosbanen and Bratsbergbanen — meet at the grand and historic Notodden Station. Surrounded by dramatic landscapes and steeped in history, this area is a must-see for anyone interested in Norwegian culture, industry, and engineering.

Tinnosbanen – Norway’s First Electrified Standard-Gauge Railway

Opened: 9 August 1909 by Haakon VII and Sam Eyde
Length: 31 km – from Tinnoset to Notodden
Electrified: 1911 – the first standard-gauge electrified railway in Norway

Tinnosbanen was originally built to transport construction materials to the industrial development in Rjukan, and later used for both freight and passenger traffic. The line runs through scenic and dramatic Norwegian landscapes and includes a steep gradient of 28‰, making it one of the steepest railway lines in Norway.

At Tinnoset, trains were transferred across Tinnsjøen lake by rail ferries, including the preserved D/F Ammonia and M/F Storegut. On the opposite shore at Mæl, the historic Rjukanbanen railway begins.

Bratsbergbanen – Connecting Notodden and Skien

Opened: 1920
Route: Notodden – Skien

When Bratsbergbanen opened in 1920, it took over the transport of goods from Rjukan and Notodden that had previously gone via Telemarkskanalen.
In 2012, the section between Tinnoset and Hjuksebø was listed as a protected heritage site by Riksantikvaren (the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage).

Notodden Station – A Historic Railway Hub

Completed: 1917 – opened in 1919
Architecture: Large urban station in Neo-Baroque style

Notodden Station serves as the junction between Tinnosbanen and Bratsbergbanen. It features one of Norway’s oldest original overhead catenary systems, with riveted lattice masts and gantries from 1917.

Today, the station is an active stop on the Bratsbergbanen line, with daily departures to both Skien and Porsgrunn.

Experience Living Railway History in Notodden

The combination of scenic nature, pioneering engineering, and rich industrial heritage makes the railway area in Notodden a unique and memorable destination. It’s the perfect place to explore Norway’s industrial history and enjoy a fascinating cultural journey.