When it was put into operation between Majorstuen and Besserud in 1898, this was the first Nordic suburban, and Norway's first electric railway line. It was built and run by A/S Holmenkolbanen.
In 1916 it was extended to Frognerseter and Tryvandshøiden, the second for freight without regular passenger traffic. This made the passenger line 11.4 km (7.1 miles) long. In June 1928 a 2.7 km underground extension was opened between Majorstuen and the National Theatre making this the line's starting point. In connection with the construction of the Tryvannstårn (tower), a section was built to Tryvannshøgda for use by Televerket, and used to 1939.
Since 1991 the Holmenkollban has been part of the Metro Line 1 which operates between Frognerseter and Ellingsrudåsen (Helsfyr during evenings and weekends) and is the subway network's least patronized line, however, it is a tourist attraction since it climbs to 469 metres (1,539 ft) providing a view over Oslo. Like the rest of the system it is now powered with 750 Volts from a third rail.
The pic above is of a HkB 600 teak car of which 12 double-car multiple units were built by Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk and AEG from 1951 to 1956. Each train was 14.45 metres (47.4 ft) long, and could carry 40 standing and 120 seated passengers. Maximum speed was 60 km/h (37 mph). The cars were removed from service in 1995, and replaced with OS T2000 3-car trains -- as the platforms on the Holmenkoll line are only long enough to handle two cars, the doors in the third car are kept closed.
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| The last run of a HkB 600 class car in 1995, seen at Frognerseter. (wikimedia) |
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