Høka
Encyclopedia
Hønefoss Jernbanevogn- og Karosserifabrikk A/S, trading as Høka and at first known as Hønefoss Karosserifabrikk A/S, was a manufacturer of bodywork
for buses, trucks and train
s. The company was in existence from 1936 to 1968 and was based in Hønefoss
, Norway
. Among the company's products is Oslo Tramway's SM53
trams, the Trondheim Tramway
's GB Class 3
tram and the Norwegian State Railways Skd 221 shunters.
s, fire engines and delivery vans. Høka had the Norwegian rights to a Czech patent for closed, wood-filled steel profiles. In Sweden, this patent was held by Hägglund & Söner, thus starting the cooperation between the two companies. By 1940, Høka had 50 employees. During World War II from 1940 to 1945, the demand for new buses halted, but Høka entered the maintenance and repair industry.
After the war, during which the company had made good money, the company built a new plant at Hønengaten outside the town in 1948. This plant was located to the Roa–Hønefoss Line of the Norwegian State Railways
(NSB), and a branch line was constructed from the mainline railway to the plant. The new location, the cooperation with Hägglunds and NSBs need for large amounts of rolling stock during the 1950s, made it possible for Høka to enter the rolling stock market. At the same time, the company changed its name to Hønefoss Jernbanevogn- og Karosserifabrikk (meaning Hønefoss Railway Car and Bodyworks Factory). The same year also saw Breien retire, and be replaced by Jakob Mørk, who formerly had worked for Ekebergbanen
, that operated one of the suburban tramways in Oslo. That year the company had 90 employees.
The company continued to manufacture buses after the war, and built bodywork in both wood, steel and aluminum. Production of buses peaked with 24 delivered vehicles in 1949, but from 1954 the company did not build any buses, except for a series of 33 vehicles to Oslo Sporveier in 1961. These were the last buses built by Høka. During the 1950s, both NSB, private railways and the tram operators in the country were in need of rolling stock. The main manufacturers were Strømmens Værksted
and Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk
, with Eidsfoss Værk also building freight cars. The large quantity of the time, in addition to the strategic need for multiple manufacturers saw the rail companies spreading deliveries between the four manufacturers, and insisting on licence production of each others models for large deliveries.
From 1952, the company also delivered trams. The first was a series of 30, later supplemented by 20 more trams and 12 trailers, were delivered until 1958. In 1956, the company lost a contract to build a new series of trams for the Trondheim Tramway
after the Dalsenget fire
that wiped out most of the tram fleet of Trondheim Sporvei
, but the company managed to secure a single order from Graakalbanen for a tram and trailer on the Gråkallen Line in Trondheim. By 1957, the peak employment was reached, at 140 people. In 1957, the company delivered 20 gondola
s to Narvik
and in 1959, 400 trailers were delivered to the Norwegian Army
.
In 1956, the company also started manufacturing a two-axle battery-powered locomotive
. These had gauge and electric equipment from Siemens
. Thirteen units were sold to various industrial facilities between 1956 and 1962. From 1960, Høka also started manufacturing a standard gauge
shunting locomotive. The first was sold to Norsk Jernverk, and the following year six were leased to NSB, who gave them designation Skd 221. In 1964, NSB bought an additional four units. The final unit was built for internal use at Høka. The goal of the Skd 221-delivery was to get the large contract that NSB would issue in the mid-1960s for their shunters, but this was instead given to Levahn Mekaniske Verksted of Oslo.
During the mid 1960s, there was a large decline in the demand for trains from NSB. At the same time, it was decided that both the tramways in Oslo and Bergen would be closed, and no new rolling stock would be needed. The authorities and NSB both realised that there was no need for more than one domestic manufacturer of rolling stock, and all new orders were placed with Strømmen. Due to lack of capacity at Strømmen, Høka received several suborders. In March 1967, Strømmen bought Høka, and decided to close the plant in December 1968.
es to the Drammen trolleybus
, operated by Drammen Kommunale Trikk
. These electrical equipment for these were delivered by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies
of the United Kingdom. One of these buses has been preserved. Another type of bus was a semitrailer system that could carry 60 passengers, and was delivered to Engeseth Busslinjer in 1938, who used it until 1953 on their route from Hønefoss to Oslo
.
s that would be hauled by NSB Class 87 multiple units, with delivery in 1950. This was followed by various orders to the state railways, and included boxcars, reefer
s and steel bridges. Other customers included Norsk Jernverk
and Norsk Transport
(who operated the Rjukan Line). The largest freight order was for 180 boxcars type Gr5, delivered from 1963 to 1965. At the most, Høke delivered one freight car each 18 hours. In 1957, Høke delivered a gauge timber car for the Swedish Nordmark–Klarälven Railway. In 1968, Høka delivered two skip cars to Sydvaranger
.
. The SM53 trams were retired between 1990 and 1997.
The first batch of 30 Høka trams were built between 1952 and 1953, numbered 204-233. These were originally designated MBO 50. The second batch of 12 trams was built in 1957, designated MBO 55, and numbered 234-245. The final batch, numbered 246-253 was built in 1958, and designated MBO 56. The designations were later revised to SM53/I, SM53/II, and SM53/III respectively. The trams were 14.7 metres long, 2.5 metres wide, and had a weight of 16.9 tons. Tram number 234 is preserved by the Oslo Tramway Museum
.
. Each of the four Siemens motors had an effect of 60 kW. The trams were criticized for bot having sufficient space for baby buggies. Despite running in part in city streets, the trams were 2.6 m (8.5 ft) wide. They had seating for 40, later 36, passengers. The tram were delivered in 1955. It remained in service until 1973, when it was replaced by the TS Class 7
trams, following the merger of Graakalbanen into Trondheim Trafikkselskap
. It is preserved as a heritage tram at Trondheim Tramway Museum
.
Coachwork
Coachwork is the body of a horse-drawn coach or carriage, a motor vehicle , a railroad car or railway carriage. Usually reserved for bodies built on a separate chassis, rather than being of unitary or monocoque construction...
for buses, trucks and train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
s. The company was in existence from 1936 to 1968 and was based in Hønefoss
Hønefoss
Hønefoss is a city in Buskerud county, Norway, and the center of the municipality of Ringerike.In 1852, Hønefoss received town status and was separated from Norderhov. Hønefoss celebrated its 150th year of township in 2002...
, 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...
. Among the company's products is Oslo Tramway's SM53
SM53
The SM53, also called Høka trams after the manufacturer Hønefoss karosserifabrikk, were a tram model which operated for more than 40 years on the Oslo Tramway. A number of these trams were later rebuilt and became known as SM83 trams....
trams, the Trondheim Tramway
Trondheim Tramway
Trondheim Tramway located in Trondheim, Norway consists presently of one 8.8 km tramway line, Gråkallbanen, from St. Olav's Gate in the city centre through Byåsen to Lian Station in Bymarka...
's GB Class 3
GB Class 3
GB Class 3 was a single tram and trailer built by Hønefoss Karosserifabrikk for Graakalbanen of Trondheim, Norway.Each of the four Siemens motors had an effect of . The trams were criticized for not having sufficient space for baby buggies. Despite running in part in city streets, the trams were ...
tram and the Norwegian State Railways Skd 221 shunters.
History
The company was founded as Hønefoss Karosserifabrikk in 1936 by Major Roald Breien, who wanted to start a mechanical workshop to create jobs in the local area. At first the company had six employees and was based in Arnemannsveien in the city center (now the seat of the city's culture center). To begin with, the company manufactured bus bodywork for domestic coach and bus companies. In addition, the company built tank truckTank truck
A tank truck or road tanker is a motor vehicle designed to carry liquefied loads, dry bulk cargo or gases on roads. The largest such vehicles are similar to railroad tank cars which are also designed to carry liquefied loads...
s, fire engines and delivery vans. Høka had the Norwegian rights to a Czech patent for closed, wood-filled steel profiles. In Sweden, this patent was held by Hägglund & Söner, thus starting the cooperation between the two companies. By 1940, Høka had 50 employees. During World War II from 1940 to 1945, the demand for new buses halted, but Høka entered the maintenance and repair industry.
After the war, during which the company had made good money, the company built a new plant at Hønengaten outside the town in 1948. This plant was located to the Roa–Hønefoss Line of the Norwegian State Railways
Norwegian State Railways (1883–1996)
The Norwegian State Railways was a state-owned railway company that operated most of the railway network in Norway. The government agency was created in 1883 to oversee the construction and operation of all state-owned railways in Norway...
(NSB), and a branch line was constructed from the mainline railway to the plant. The new location, the cooperation with Hägglunds and NSBs need for large amounts of rolling stock during the 1950s, made it possible for Høka to enter the rolling stock market. At the same time, the company changed its name to Hønefoss Jernbanevogn- og Karosserifabrikk (meaning Hønefoss Railway Car and Bodyworks Factory). The same year also saw Breien retire, and be replaced by Jakob Mørk, who formerly had worked for Ekebergbanen
Ekebergbanen (company)
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...
, that operated one of the suburban tramways in Oslo. That year the company had 90 employees.
The company continued to manufacture buses after the war, and built bodywork in both wood, steel and aluminum. Production of buses peaked with 24 delivered vehicles in 1949, but from 1954 the company did not build any buses, except for a series of 33 vehicles to Oslo Sporveier in 1961. These were the last buses built by Høka. During the 1950s, both NSB, private railways and the tram operators in the country were in need of rolling stock. The main manufacturers were Strømmens Værksted
Strømmens Værksted
Strømmens Værksted A/S was an industrial company based in Skedsmo, Norway, specializing in the production of rolling stock. Founded in 1873, it remains as a part of Bombardier Transportation...
and 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...
, with Eidsfoss Værk also building freight cars. The large quantity of the time, in addition to the strategic need for multiple manufacturers saw the rail companies spreading deliveries between the four manufacturers, and insisting on licence production of each others models for large deliveries.
From 1952, the company also delivered trams. The first was a series of 30, later supplemented by 20 more trams and 12 trailers, were delivered until 1958. In 1956, the company lost a contract to build a new series of trams for the Trondheim Tramway
Trondheim Tramway
Trondheim Tramway located in Trondheim, Norway consists presently of one 8.8 km tramway line, Gråkallbanen, from St. Olav's Gate in the city centre through Byåsen to Lian Station in Bymarka...
after the Dalsenget fire
Dalsenget fire
The Dalsenget fire was a disaster where the Dalsenget Depot of Trondheim Sporvei burnt down, destroying almost all of the modern tram fleet. 26 trams, 16 trailers and one working tram were destroyed, and three cleaners lost their lives...
that wiped out most of the tram fleet of Trondheim Sporvei
Trondheim Sporvei
Trondheim Sporvei was a municipally owned tram operator in Trondheim, Norway that existed between 1936 and 1974. The company operated the municipal parts of the Trondheim Tramway until it was merged with A/S Graakalbanen and Trondheim Bilruter to create Trondheim Trafikkselskap...
, but the company managed to secure a single order from Graakalbanen for a tram and trailer on the Gråkallen Line in Trondheim. By 1957, the peak employment was reached, at 140 people. In 1957, the company delivered 20 gondola
Gondola
The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. For centuries gondolas were the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public transport in...
s to Narvik
Narvik
is the third largest city and municipality in Nordland county, Norway by population. Narvik is located on the shores of the Narvik Fjord . The municipality is part of the Ofoten traditional region of North Norway, inside the arctic circle...
and in 1959, 400 trailers were delivered to the Norwegian Army
Norwegian Army
Norway achieved full independence in 1905, and in the first century of its short life has contributed to two major conflicts, the Cold War and the War on Terror. The Norwegian Army currently operates in the north of Norway and in Afghanistan as well as in Eastern Europe. The Army is the oldest of...
.
In 1956, the company also started manufacturing a two-axle battery-powered locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
. These had gauge and electric equipment from Siemens
Siemens AG
Siemens AG is a German multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It is the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company....
. Thirteen units were sold to various industrial facilities between 1956 and 1962. From 1960, Høka also started manufacturing a standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
shunting locomotive. The first was sold to Norsk Jernverk, and the following year six were leased to NSB, who gave them designation Skd 221. In 1964, NSB bought an additional four units. The final unit was built for internal use at Høka. The goal of the Skd 221-delivery was to get the large contract that NSB would issue in the mid-1960s for their shunters, but this was instead given to Levahn Mekaniske Verksted of Oslo.
During the mid 1960s, there was a large decline in the demand for trains from NSB. At the same time, it was decided that both the tramways in Oslo and Bergen would be closed, and no new rolling stock would be needed. The authorities and NSB both realised that there was no need for more than one domestic manufacturer of rolling stock, and all new orders were placed with Strømmen. Due to lack of capacity at Strømmen, Høka received several suborders. In March 1967, Strømmen bought Høka, and decided to close the plant in December 1968.
Buses
In 1938, the company delivered two trolleybusTrolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
es to the Drammen trolleybus
Drammen trolleybus
The Drammen trolleybus system was a system of trolleybuses in Drammen, Norway, which operated between 15 December 1909 and 10 June 1967. The system stretched from the city center to Brakerøya, Merket and Vårveien and was operated by the companies Drammens Elektriske Bane, A/S Trikken and Drammen...
, operated by Drammen Kommunale Trikk
Drammen Kommunale Trikk
Drammen Kommunale Trikk was a Norwegian company that operated the Drammen trolleybus and bus system between July 1, 1947 and 1981, though the trolleybus system was closed in 1967. The company was started by the Drammen City Council when the licence of the former operator of the trolleybuses, A/S...
. These electrical equipment for these were delivered by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies
Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies
Ransomes, Sims and Jeffries was a major British agricultural machinery maker producing a wide range of products including traction engines, ploughs, lawn mowers, combine harvesters and other tilling equipment. They also manufactured aeroplanes during the First World War...
of the United Kingdom. One of these buses has been preserved. Another type of bus was a semitrailer system that could carry 60 passengers, and was delivered to Engeseth Busslinjer in 1938, who used it until 1953 on their route from Hønefoss to 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...
.
Freight cars
The first rail contract was for eight boxcarBoxcar
A boxcar is a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry general freight. The boxcar, while not the simplest freight car design, is probably the most versatile, since it can carry most loads...
s that would be hauled by NSB Class 87 multiple units, with delivery in 1950. This was followed by various orders to the state railways, and included boxcars, reefer
Reefer
- Transportation :* Reefer ship, a refrigerated ship* Refrigerator car, a refrigerated railroad boxcar * Refrigerated van, a refrigerated railway wagon * Refrigerated container, used for intermodal cargo...
s and steel bridges. Other customers included Norsk Jernverk
Norsk Jernverk
Norsk Jernverk is a former Norwegian industrial company which was founded in 1946 in Mo i Rana, fully owned by the State of Norway. The production started in 1955. In 1985 it acquired the steel company Christiania Spigerverk, which was later again sold out as a separate company...
and Norsk Transport
Norsk Transport
Norsk Transport AS was a railway- and shipping company responsible for the transport of chemicals from Norsk Hydro Rjukan. A subsidiary of Norsk Hydro, the company was founded in 1907 and operated until 1991....
(who operated the Rjukan Line). The largest freight order was for 180 boxcars type Gr5, delivered from 1963 to 1965. At the most, Høke delivered one freight car each 18 hours. In 1957, Høke delivered a gauge timber car for the Swedish Nordmark–Klarälven Railway. In 1968, Høka delivered two skip cars to Sydvaranger
Sydvaranger
Sydvaranger was the company that operated the Bjørnevatn Mine in Kirkenes, Norway between the start in 1906 until 1996. Since then the company has mainly been concerned with cleaning up the industrial areas and business development...
.
Oslo Tramway SM53
The SM53 were a tram model which operated for more than 40 years on the Oslo Tramway. A number of these trams were later rebuilt and became known as SM83 trams. The trams were based on the Swedish Mustang trams, and were delivered with Swedish electronics. Høka gained a reputation and legacy as very reliable and successful. Between 1982 and 1983, the trams were converted to one man operationOne Person Train Operation
One-man operation , driver-only operation or one person operation is a method of train or bus operation in which the vehicle is operated by the motorman or driver alone without a conductor.-Japan:...
. The SM53 trams were retired between 1990 and 1997.
The first batch of 30 Høka trams were built between 1952 and 1953, numbered 204-233. These were originally designated MBO 50. The second batch of 12 trams was built in 1957, designated MBO 55, and numbered 234-245. The final batch, numbered 246-253 was built in 1958, and designated MBO 56. The designations were later revised to SM53/I, SM53/II, and SM53/III respectively. The trams were 14.7 metres long, 2.5 metres wide, and had a weight of 16.9 tons. Tram number 234 is preserved by the Oslo Tramway Museum
Oslo Tramway Museum
Oslo Tramway Museum with 450 members. The museum also operates a heritage tramway in Vinterbro outside Oslo.LTF was founded in 1966, six years after the city council had decided to close down the tramway and trolleybus. This followed the closing of the Bergen Tramway, where only a single tram had...
.
Graakalbanen Class 3
Class 3 was a single tram and trailer built for Graakalbanen of TrondheimTrondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
. Each of the four Siemens motors had an effect of 60 kW. The trams were criticized for bot having sufficient space for baby buggies. Despite running in part in city streets, the trams were 2.6 m (8.5 ft) wide. They had seating for 40, later 36, passengers. The tram were delivered in 1955. It remained in service until 1973, when it was replaced by the TS Class 7
TS Class 7
TS Class 6 was a series of 28 trams and 15 trailers built by Strømmens Værksted for Trondheim Sporvei. They were delivered in two slightly different batches; ten in 1948–49 and six in 1955....
trams, following the merger of Graakalbanen into Trondheim Trafikkselskap
Trondheim Trafikkselskap
Trondheim Trafikkselskap or TT was the city public transport company for Trondheim, Norway between 1974 and 2001. It operated both the city buses, and the Trondheim Tramway until 1988. The company was owned by the city council....
. It is preserved as a heritage tram at Trondheim Tramway Museum
Trondheim Tramway Museum
Trondheim Tramway Museum is a tram museum located in Trondheim, Norway. The museum offers in addition to a display of the tramway history of Trondheim also heritage trips with old trams on the sole remains of the tramway in Trondheim, Gråkallbanen...
.