Ekebergbanen (company)
Encyclopedia
AS Ekebergbanen was a private company that built and operated the Ekeberg Line
in Oslo
, Norway
. It was founded 27 March 1914, and the line opened 11 June 1917 from Stortorvet
to Sæter
. The company also built a line to Simensbråten
that was closed 29 October 1967. Ekebergbanen also operated buses in Oslo.
and Sæter
was opened. In 1918, AS Ekebergbanen sent an application to build a funicular
from Gamlebyen (then called Oslo) to Ekebergplatået. The stations were mostly built with tiny wooden sheds in new baroque architectural style by the Norwegian architect Erik Glosimodt
. On the station Holtet
, a larger station building was constructed, also drawn by Erik Glosimodt. This was to be the "main base" for Ekebergbanen, equipped with power stations with and a tram depot with place for twelve cars on six tracks. The depot is still used by the Oslo Tramway.
In 1924, the company started to operate diesel buses, especially a route from Oslo city centre
to Sværsvann
named "Østmarkruten". This bus route was in 1953 overtaken by Oslo Sporveier
and renumbered to line 71.
On 30 September 1931, a branch line from Jomfrubråten
to Simensbråten
was opened, officially named Simensbråten Line
. The service on this branch line was during the peak hours extended to Stortorvet. The Simensbråten Line was closed on 29 October 1967.
The Ekeberg Line was extended from Sæter to Ljabru
on 17 September 1941, which originally was single-tracked.
While waiting for the Gullfisk-trams, Ekebergbanen borrowed trams from Bærumsbanen
until 1974.
On 1 July 1948, Oslo Sporveier bought the major share of the company's stocks. 17 years later—on the same day—the administration and operation of the two lines were transferred to Oslo Sporveier. The company formally merged with Oslo Sporveier on 1 July 1992, and was declared defunct the year after.
, from which it connects at Oslo Hospital
. The entire line is built as a light rail with its own right-of-way. It runs up Ekeberg on the east side of Kongsveien, passing Sjømannsskolen
and Jomfrubråten
. This is where the Simensbråten Line previously branched off. It was 1.3 kilometre (0.807784557644749 mi) long and had three stations: Ekebergparken
, Smedstua
and Simensbråten
. The Ekeberg Line continues from Jomfrubråten past Sportsplassen
to Holtet
, which is the location of the depot. The line then crosses Kongsveien and continues along the west side of Ekebergveien. It passes the stations Sørli
, Kastellet
, Bråten
and Sæter
. Between Sæter and the terminus Ljabru
is a bridge over Nordstrandsveien which is single tracked. The remaining part of the network was eventually double track
and electrified
at 1,200 volt
s direct current
.
buses with bodies from Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk
and put them into service on two lines, from Jernbanetorget to Abildsø
and from Sæter to Godheim. The latter route was used to feed the Ekeberg Line. In 1927, the company bought Republic
and Studebaker
buses, and in 1928 four Büssing
buses which replaced the Berliet vehicles. From 1927 to 1931, the company ran a bus line from Jernbanetorget to Simensbråten, and also for some years from Nordstrandshøgda to Aker University Hospital
. From 28 August 1932, the two original bus lines were combined and extended to Sværsvann
. It was branded as Østmarkaruten and ran the route Jernbanetorget–Abildsø–Klemetsrud–Godheim–Sværsvann. In 1937, the company bought four diesel buses from Büssing. In 1940, the company had four modern diesel buses and three older gasoline buses. The company had silver buses with a wine red cheatline with the EB logo in silver on a blue background. The company also ran an automotive workshop and fuel station at Holtet.
During World War II
, the operation of buses was limited, although because some of the buses ran on diesel, it was easier to procure fuel, compared to gasoline buses. One of the buses was rebuilt to a truck. From 1946 to 1951, the company bought new buses from Scania Vabis and Volvo
, with bodies built at Holtet. From 1 February 1952, the Østmarkaruten was transferred to Oslo Sporveier, which numbered it Line 71. The buses continued to use Holtet as a depot until 1957, when they were transferred to Grefsen
.
The company operated several classes of unique trams, which were only used on the Ekeberg Line, the Simensbråten Line and the connection to the city center. They were all capable of both running on 1,200 V on the Ekeberg and Simenbråten Lines, and 600 V in the city. The junction between the two networks was a 10 metres (32.8 ft) section without a overhead wire at Oslo Hospital. This allowed each of the pantograph
s to touch their current at the same time. All the trams had four motors, each running at 600 V. They were grouped in two pairs, each serial connected. The two groups were connected so they were either serial or parallel connected, so each motor would either receive 300 V or 600 V. However, they were not connected to they would receive the same current in the city as on the hill section, thus the trams had only half the power when running on the 600 V section, with each motor either running at 150 V or 300 V. However, peak power was not needed, as the city was flat and had a maximum speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour (24.9 mph).
Ekeberg Line
The Ekeberg Line is a long light rail line of the Oslo Tramway which runs from Gamlebyen to Ljabru in Oslo, Norway. Operated by lines 18 and 19, it serves the area of Nordstarand and the neighborhoods of Ekeberg, Jomfrubråten, Bekkelaget and Ljan. The line is operated by Oslo Sporvognsdrift using...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. It was founded 27 March 1914, and the line opened 11 June 1917 from Stortorvet
Stortorvet (station)
Stortorvet is a station on the Oslo Tramway in Oslo, Norway. The station is located on the square Stortorvet in the city centre.It is served by the lines 11, 17 and 18. In 2009, it was decided to improve the square, the station and the tram tracks in the street.-References:...
to Sæter
Sæter (station)
Sæter is a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Nordstrand, it was the terminus of the Ekeberg Line when it was opened in 1917 by AS Ekebergbanen in cooperation with Kristiania Sporveisselskab. In 1941 the Ekeberg Line was extended to Ljabru, the current terminus. Until 1967, the...
. The company also built a line to Simensbråten
Simensbråten
Simensbråten is a neighborhood in the borough of Nordstrand, Oslo, Norway.This suburb mostly includes houses, apartments and villa's, located alongside a grove dividing Simensbråten fromBrattlikollen....
that was closed 29 October 1967. Ekebergbanen also operated buses in Oslo.
History
The company was founded on 24 March 1914, and started construction of the line immediately, but the delivery of technical equipment and rolling stock was delayed because of the First World War. The company's formal establishment was therefore made on 1 June 1917, when the line between StortorvetStortorvet (station)
Stortorvet is a station on the Oslo Tramway in Oslo, Norway. The station is located on the square Stortorvet in the city centre.It is served by the lines 11, 17 and 18. In 2009, it was decided to improve the square, the station and the tram tracks in the street.-References:...
and Sæter
Sæter (station)
Sæter is a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Nordstrand, it was the terminus of the Ekeberg Line when it was opened in 1917 by AS Ekebergbanen in cooperation with Kristiania Sporveisselskab. In 1941 the Ekeberg Line was extended to Ljabru, the current terminus. Until 1967, the...
was opened. In 1918, AS Ekebergbanen sent an application to build a funicular
Funicular
A funicular, also known as an inclined plane or cliff railway, is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope; the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalance each other.-Operation:The basic principle of funicular...
from Gamlebyen (then called Oslo) to Ekebergplatået. The stations were mostly built with tiny wooden sheds in new baroque architectural style by the Norwegian architect Erik Glosimodt
Erik Glosimodt
Erik Waldemar Glosimodt was a Norwegian architect. He is known for drawing many railway stations, among others the preserved Kongsvoll Station. Glosimodt died in the Nidareid train disaster....
. On the station Holtet
Holtet (station)
Holtet is a light rail station on the Ekeberg line of the Oslo Tramway. It is located at Holtet in Ekeberg, in the borough of Nordstrand, in Oslo, Norway....
, a larger station building was constructed, also drawn by Erik Glosimodt. This was to be the "main base" for Ekebergbanen, equipped with power stations with and a tram depot with place for twelve cars on six tracks. The depot is still used by the Oslo Tramway.
In 1924, the company started to operate diesel buses, especially a route from Oslo city centre
Sentrum, Oslo
Sentrum meaning city-center is located on the southeast side of the city near the inner Oslofjord.The district is dominated by high rises like Postgirobygget and The Plaza. Oslos Central Station is located on the eastern side of the borough. Sentrum consists of Bjørvika which has a history as...
to Sværsvann
Sværsvann
Sværsvann is a lake in the southeast of Oslo, Norway. The lake drains off into the river Hobølelva. The lake's surrounding areas are mostly residential. Sværsvann is a popular bathing place, and the name is believed to origin from "Sværd Vandet", which means "Sword Water", because a sword was once...
named "Østmarkruten". This bus route was in 1953 overtaken by Oslo Sporveier
Oslo Sporveier
Kollektivtransportproduksjon AS is a municipal owned public transport operator of Oslo, Norway, the name meaning simply "public transportation producer". It operates the trackage and maintains the stock of the Oslo Metro and Oslo Tramway, as well as owning eight operating subsidiaries...
and renumbered to line 71.
On 30 September 1931, a branch line from Jomfrubråten
Jomfrubråten (station)
Jomfrubråten is a light rail station on the Ekeberg Line of the Oslo Tramway. It is located near Jomfrubråten in Ekeberg, in the borough of Nordstrand, in Oslo, Norway.The station opened on 11 June 1917 as part of the Ekeberg Line to Sæter...
to Simensbråten
Simensbråten (station)
Simensbråten was a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Simensbråten in Nordstrand, it was the terminus of the Simensbråten Line which was opened in 1931 as a side branch of the Ekeberg Line. The Simensbråten Line was closed on 29 October 1967. The area is currently served by Ryen...
was opened, officially named Simensbråten Line
Simensbråten Line
The Simensbråten Line was a light rail line of Oslo Tramway between Jomfrubråten and Simensbråten in Oslo, Norway. Opening on 30 September 1931, it branched off the Ekeberg Line at Jomfrubråten and had three stops along the route—Ekebergparken, Smedstua and Simensbråten. Operated by Ekebergbanen,...
. The service on this branch line was during the peak hours extended to Stortorvet. The Simensbråten Line was closed on 29 October 1967.
The Ekeberg Line was extended from Sæter to Ljabru
Ljabru (station)
Ljabru is a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Ljabru in Nordstrand, it is the current terminus of the Ekeberg Line. It was opened on 17 September 1941 as an extension of that line from Sæter. Until 1967, the stretch between Sæter and Ljabru was the only single track rail in Oslo. A...
on 17 September 1941, which originally was single-tracked.
While waiting for the Gullfisk-trams, Ekebergbanen borrowed trams from Bærumsbanen
Bærumsbanen
A/S Bærumsbanen was a tram company that operated the Lillaker-, Kolsås and Østensjø Line of the Oslo Tramway, Norway, from 1924 to 1971 when the company became part of Oslo Sporveier.-History:...
until 1974.
On 1 July 1948, Oslo Sporveier bought the major share of the company's stocks. 17 years later—on the same day—the administration and operation of the two lines were transferred to Oslo Sporveier. The company formally merged with Oslo Sporveier on 1 July 1992, and was declared defunct the year after.
Tram lines
The Ekeberg Line is a 6.6 kilometres (4.1 mi) long continuation of the Gamleby LineGamleby Line
The Gamlebyen Line is a section of the Oslo Tramway which runs east from Jernbanetorget along Schweigaards gate , past the Oslo Bus Terminal then turns south along Oslo gate, and past Gamlebyen before becoming the Ekeberg Line...
, from which it connects at Oslo Hospital
Oslo Hospital (station)
Oslo Hospital is a light rail station on the Ekeberg Line of the Oslo Tramway. It is located near Oslo Hospital in Ekeberg, in the borough of Gamlebyen, in Oslo, Norway....
. The entire line is built as a light rail with its own right-of-way. It runs up Ekeberg on the east side of Kongsveien, passing Sjømannsskolen
Sjømannsskolen (station)
Sjømannsskolen is a light rail station on the Ekeberg Line of the Oslo Tramway. It is located near Sjømannsskolen in Ekeberg, in the borough of Nordstrand, in Oslo, Norway....
and Jomfrubråten
Jomfrubråten (station)
Jomfrubråten is a light rail station on the Ekeberg Line of the Oslo Tramway. It is located near Jomfrubråten in Ekeberg, in the borough of Nordstrand, in Oslo, Norway.The station opened on 11 June 1917 as part of the Ekeberg Line to Sæter...
. This is where the Simensbråten Line previously branched off. It was 1.3 kilometre (0.807784557644749 mi) long and had three stations: Ekebergparken
Ekebergparken (station)
Ekebergparken is a light rail station on the Simensbråten Line of the Oslo Tramway. It is located near Ekebergparken in Ekeberg, in the borough of Nordstrand, in Oslo, Norway....
, Smedstua
Smedstua (station)
Smedstua was a light rail station on the Simensbråten Line of the Oslo Tramway. It was located at Smedstua in Ekeberg, in the borough of Nordstrand, in Oslo, Norway....
and Simensbråten
Simensbråten (station)
Simensbråten was a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Simensbråten in Nordstrand, it was the terminus of the Simensbråten Line which was opened in 1931 as a side branch of the Ekeberg Line. The Simensbråten Line was closed on 29 October 1967. The area is currently served by Ryen...
. The Ekeberg Line continues from Jomfrubråten past Sportsplassen
Sportsplassen (station)
Sportsplassen is a light rail station on the Ekeberg Line of the Oslo Tramway. It is located near Sportsplassen in Ekeberg, in the borough of Nordstrand, in Oslo, Norway....
to Holtet
Holtet (station)
Holtet is a light rail station on the Ekeberg line of the Oslo Tramway. It is located at Holtet in Ekeberg, in the borough of Nordstrand, in Oslo, Norway....
, which is the location of the depot. The line then crosses Kongsveien and continues along the west side of Ekebergveien. It passes the stations Sørli
Sørli (station)
Sørli is a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Sørli in Nordstrand, the station is situated between Holtet and Kastellet. It was opened in 11 June 1917. The station is served by lines 18 and 19.-References:...
, Kastellet
Kastellet (station)
Kastellet is a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Kastellet in Nordstrand, the station is situated between Sørli and Bråten. It was opened in 11 June 1917.-References:...
, Bråten
Bråten (station)
Bråten is a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.It is located at Bråten in Nordstrand. It was opened in 11 June 1917. There is a balloon loop just after the station.-References:...
and Sæter
Sæter (station)
Sæter is a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Nordstrand, it was the terminus of the Ekeberg Line when it was opened in 1917 by AS Ekebergbanen in cooperation with Kristiania Sporveisselskab. In 1941 the Ekeberg Line was extended to Ljabru, the current terminus. Until 1967, the...
. Between Sæter and the terminus Ljabru
Ljabru (station)
Ljabru is a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Ljabru in Nordstrand, it is the current terminus of the Ekeberg Line. It was opened on 17 September 1941 as an extension of that line from Sæter. Until 1967, the stretch between Sæter and Ljabru was the only single track rail in Oslo. A...
is a bridge over Nordstrandsveien which is single tracked. The remaining part of the network was eventually double track
Double track
A double track railway usually involves running one track in each direction, compared to a single track railway where trains in both directions share the same track.- Overview :...
and electrified
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
at 1,200 volt
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
s direct current
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
.
Bus operations
In 1924, Ekebergbanen bought four BerlietBerliet
Berliet was a French manufacturer of automobiles, buses, trucks and other utility vehicles, based in Vénissieux, outside of Lyon, France.-Early history:...
buses with bodies from Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk
Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk
Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk was a mechanical workshop focusing on design and construction of railcars. It was established by Hans Skabo in Drammen, Norway in 1864; it became the first rail car factory in the country when it took delivery of the cars for Kongsvingerbanen...
and put them into service on two lines, from Jernbanetorget to Abildsø
Abildsø
Abildsø is a neighborhood in the borough Østensjø in Oslo, Norway. It is located south of Manglerud and Ryen, east of Lambertseter, north of Langerud and east of Bøler the lake Østensjøvannet.-The name:...
and from Sæter to Godheim. The latter route was used to feed the Ekeberg Line. In 1927, the company bought Republic
Republic Motor Truck Company
Republic Motor Truck Company was a manufacturer of commercial trucks circa 1913 - 1929, in Alma, Michigan. By 1918, it was recognized as the largest exclusive truck manufacturer in the world, and the maker of one out of every nine trucks on the roads in the United States. It was one of the major...
and Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
buses, and in 1928 four Büssing
Büssing
Büssing was a German bus and truck manufacturer established by Heinrich Büssing at Braunschweig in 1903. Büssing's first truck was a 2 ton payload machine powered by a 2-cylinder gasoline engine and featuring worm drive...
buses which replaced the Berliet vehicles. From 1927 to 1931, the company ran a bus line from Jernbanetorget to Simensbråten, and also for some years from Nordstrandshøgda to Aker University Hospital
Aker University Hospital
Aker University Hospital was founded in 1895 in Oslo, Norway. From January 1, 2009, the hospital is part of the Oslo University Hospital.Since January 2002 the hospital is organized as a health trust that is fully owned by Southern and Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority and which also is...
. From 28 August 1932, the two original bus lines were combined and extended to Sværsvann
Sværsvann
Sværsvann is a lake in the southeast of Oslo, Norway. The lake drains off into the river Hobølelva. The lake's surrounding areas are mostly residential. Sværsvann is a popular bathing place, and the name is believed to origin from "Sværd Vandet", which means "Sword Water", because a sword was once...
. It was branded as Østmarkaruten and ran the route Jernbanetorget–Abildsø–Klemetsrud–Godheim–Sværsvann. In 1937, the company bought four diesel buses from Büssing. In 1940, the company had four modern diesel buses and three older gasoline buses. The company had silver buses with a wine red cheatline with the EB logo in silver on a blue background. The company also ran an automotive workshop and fuel station at Holtet.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the operation of buses was limited, although because some of the buses ran on diesel, it was easier to procure fuel, compared to gasoline buses. One of the buses was rebuilt to a truck. From 1946 to 1951, the company bought new buses from Scania Vabis and Volvo
Volvo
AB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
, with bodies built at Holtet. From 1 February 1952, the Østmarkaruten was transferred to Oslo Sporveier, which numbered it Line 71. The buses continued to use Holtet as a depot until 1957, when they were transferred to Grefsen
Grefsen
right|thumbnail|300px|Grefsen ChurchGrefsen is a neighbourhood of the city of Oslo, Norway.Together with Kjelsås, Grefsen was part of the borough Grefsen-Kjelsås until January 1, 2004, when they became part of the new borough of Nordre Aker....
.
Trams
Pantograph
A pantograph is a mechanical linkage connected in a special manner based on parallelograms so that the movement of one pen, in tracing an image, produces identical movements in a second pen...
s to touch their current at the same time. All the trams had four motors, each running at 600 V. They were grouped in two pairs, each serial connected. The two groups were connected so they were either serial or parallel connected, so each motor would either receive 300 V or 600 V. However, they were not connected to they would receive the same current in the city as on the hill section, thus the trams had only half the power when running on the 600 V section, with each motor either running at 150 V or 300 V. However, peak power was not needed, as the city was flat and had a maximum speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour (24.9 mph).