The narrow-gauged railway between Tunsberg and Eidsfoss existed from 1901 to 1938. It shared 6 km tracks between Hillestad and Hof, with the railway between Holmestrand and Hvittingfoss. Both railways provided transport for both passengers and goods between inland Vestfold and the ports of Tønsberg and Holmestrand. Among other things, this enabled the works at Eidsfoss to focus on the production of goods wagons. You can find out more about this by visiting the exhibition ‘Fremtidstoget’ at the Eidsfoss Ironworks Museum.
At the end of the 19th century, both cities and rural areas in Vestfold county, were concerned with attracting railways and take part in the business that came with them. After a lengthy discussion, the Norwegian parliament proposed that the state should fund the Tunsberg-Eidsfoss railway. It opened the 18th of October 1901.
At the opening party for the Railway, which was at Eidsfos Manor house, many prominent guests attended, such as minister Løvland and President of Parliament Mr. Berner.
The station was also a hotel. The guests were employees from the railway, as well as visitors to the iron works and tourists, who enjoyed a picturesque roundtrip that started in Kristiania (Oslo). They travelled by train to Vestfossen station and by steamship to Eidsfoss. Here they bordered the train to Tunsberg, where a shuttle boat or train took them back to Kristiania.
Below: A film by Christian Erik Nordby, a short-version of his film about the Railway. It’s for sale at Eidsfoss country store.
You can discover more railway history from Vestfold, with restored buildings and original tracks, at Reidvintunet in Hillestad.
Photo: Norwegian Railway museum. Hand colored by Bjørn Vangen.
