Sinsen Line
Encyclopedia
The Sinsen Line is part of the Oslo Tramway on the east side of the city. Most of the line is served by line 17, although the northernmost tip (Grefsen–Torshov) is served by line 13 which otherwise runs on the Grünerløkka–Torshov Line. Both services use SL95
articulated trams.
. The line then runs along Trondheimsveien, passing Carl Berners plass
until it reaches the Sinsen Interchange
, then along Storovegen (part of Ring 3
), past the tram sheds at Grefsen, until it rejoins with the Grünerløkka–Torshov Line.
At Grefsen Station
, there is transfer to the Oslo Commuter Rail
along the Gjøvik Line. At Carl Berners plass and Storo, there is a transfer to the Oslo T-bane
lines 5 and 6.
. Built by Kristiania Sporveisselskap, the initial Sinsen Line was built as a single-track branch of the Rødeløkka Line that continued along Trondheimsveien to just north of Carl Berners plass and opened on 1 February 1923. It was served by the newly created Line 13 that operated through the city center to Skillebekk
on the Skøyen Line
. It ran every twelve minutes, but was times with Line 9 of the Rodeløkka Line so they gave a six-minute headway on the shared section to the city center.
KSS and hence the line was taken over by Oslo Sporveier
on 1 May 1924. From 4 May the line was instead operated by Line 3 to Skøyen, but this was changed back for Line 13 on 29 June. This time the headway was increased to fifteen minutes. From 29 May 1927, Line 12 which connected to the Briskeby Line
took over the route. From 19 January 1937, the Sinsen Line was again served by Line 3 to Skøyen. On 28 June 1938, the section from the branch with the Rodeløkka Line to Carl Berners plass was rebuilt to double track. From 28 June 1939, Line 3 followed the Vestbanen Line to Skøyen. From 19 December, the line was extended along Trondheimsveien to Sinsen; this section was built with double track. From 18 February 1940, Line 3 was again moved back to the Skøyen Line to Skøyen and the line started using the new Gullfisk trams. At the same time, Line 13 was changed to run from along the Sagene Ring
via the city center to Sinsen. In 1948, the tracks at Carl Berners plass was rebuilt to run through the roundabouts at both ends of the square.
The trams along the Rodeløkka Line were terminated from 6 February 1949 and replaced by buses. At the same time, trolleybus
lines were installed to cross the tram lines at Carl Berners plass and Line 13 was moved to run along the Kjelsås Line
, leaving only Lines 1 and 3. On 7 July 1952, the Gullfisk were replaced with SM53
units. From 5 July 1953, Line 3 operated via Oslo East Station
. From 7 September 1953, Line 17 that connected with the Ullevål Hageby Line
started running along the Sinsen Line, as did the rush-hour only Line 14E which connected with the Frogner Line
. From 4 July 1954, Line 1 was moved to connect to Oslo East Station, while Line 14E was terminated and Line 3 was moved to operate via Dronningens gate. From 30 August, the rush-hour only Line 15E was also run along the Sinsen Line, and otherwise followed mostly the same route as Line 1, except that it ran through Dronningens gate instead of the East Station.
A new branch line to Rodeløkka was opened on 2 January 1955, because the tram gave lower operating costs than the bus. The line ran from Carl Berners plass down Dælenengata and then used the block Dælenengata–Fagerheimgata–Marstrandgata–Københavngata–Dæenengata as a balloon loop
. Line 13 was moved to serve the Rodeløkka Line. From 22 May 1956, Line 15E was terminated. During 1957, an extension from Sinsen to the Grefsen Depot was built. Here the line connected to the Grünerløkka–Torshov Line. Line 17 was extended to Grefsen, where it continued as Line 10 along the Grünerløkka–Torshov Line. The same year, the last Gullfisk were removed from service on the Sinsen Line. From 1959, the Rodeløkka Line was reduced to a rush-hour only service and was terminated on 23 April 1961. The tracks were removed from 1962 to 1964, and the southern section re-designated to the Sinsen Line. From 25 June 1961, Line 17 was terminated and the section from Sinsen via Grefsen to Storo was taken out of service, although the tracks were kept to allow access to the depot. At the same time, Line 3 was replaced with Line 7, which connected to the Ullevål Hageby Line.
In 1968, the trolleybus lines were removed from Carl Berners plass, and the following year the Sinsen Interchange
was rebuilt to a two-level interchange. Because of this, the old balloon loop at Sinsen had to be demolished and replaced with a new further north at Muselunden, that was taken into use on 16 October 1969. During the end of 1977 and in early 1978, a trial articulated tram from Düwag was tested on Sinsen Line on Lines 1 and 7. In December 1978, the tram lines between Carl Berners plass and Rosenhoff were moved adjacent to the sidewalk. From 6 December 1982, Line 1 was operated without a conductor
and from 2 January 1983 also on Line 7. From 2 April, the SL79
articulated tram was put into service on both lines.
The line was among those proposed for closure in 2002 when the tram company attempted to save money by transferring the traffic to buses. A city grant of saved the line along with several others.
, before the line runs to Bjerke
in a culvert
under Norwegian National Road 4
and Traverveien. The line will the run from Årvoll to Tonsenhagen, with part of the route planned as a conventional street tram in mixed traffic to eliminate the need for expropriation
on the east side of Årvollveien and impact on parks.
The project is estimated to give a profit for Ruter of NOK 7 million per year and have an economic positive impact for society of NOK 20 million. The line will remove the substantial parallel running of trams along Trondheimsveien and the Sinsen Line and the current bus line 31 can be terminated. Trams are more energy efficient and give less global and local pollution than buses, increasing the positive impact. The project is presumed financed through Oslo Package 3.
SL95
SL95 is a series of 32 low-floor, articulated trams operated on the Oslo Tramway. The series is built by Ansaldo/Firema of Italy and delivered between 1999 and 2004. Capacity for the eight-axle, three-section vehicles is 212 passengers, of which 88 can be seated. The name derives from being ordered...
articulated trams.
Route
The line leaves the Grünerløkka–Torshov Line on a northeastward track after crossing AkerselvaAkerselva
Akerselva, or Akerselven, is a river which flows through Oslo. It starts at Maridalsvannet in Oslomarka, and follows the urban areas Nordre Aker, Sagene, Grünerløkka, Oslo centre and Grønland, whereby it finally ends at Paulsenkaien and Oset in Bjørvika. The river is considered to be a part of the...
. The line then runs along Trondheimsveien, passing Carl Berners plass
Carl Berners plass
Carl Berners plass is a square in Oslo, Norway. It is located in the borough Grünerløkka, south of Sinsen. The Sinsen Line of the Oslo Tramway runs over the square. The colloquial expression for the square is just "Carl Berner". Around the square is a large number of shops as well as inexpensive...
until it reaches the Sinsen Interchange
Sinsen Interchange
The Sinsen Interchange is a heavily trafficked, multilevel road junction in Oslo, Norway. It connects the highways Norwegian National Road 150 and Trondheimsveien. The junction has existed since the 19th century, and has grown considerably in size since then. It was enhanced with a roundabout in...
, then along Storovegen (part of Ring 3
Ring 3 (Oslo)
Norwegian National Road 150, also known as Ring 3 and formerly Store Ringvei is a beltway limited-access road which circumnavigates Oslo, Norway. It runs from Ryen, through the Sinsen Interchange to Lysaker in Bærum.-History:...
), past the tram sheds at Grefsen, until it rejoins with the Grünerløkka–Torshov Line.
At Grefsen Station
Grefsen Station
Grefsen Station is a railway station at Storo in Oslo, Norway on the Gjøvik Line. From the station there is also a short railway, the Alnabru–Grefsen Line, to Alna on the Hoved Line. The station is located 6.82 km from Oslo Central Station and is located between Tøyen and Nydalen at 109.2 metes...
, there is transfer to the Oslo Commuter Rail
Oslo Commuter Rail
Oslo Commuter Rail is a commuter rail centered in Oslo, Norway, connecting the capital to six counties in Eastern Norway. The system is operated by the Norwegian State Railways and its subsidiary NSB Gjøvikbanen, using Class 69 and Class 72 electric multiple units . The network spans eight routes...
along the Gjøvik Line. At Carl Berners plass and Storo, there is a transfer to the Oslo T-bane
Oslo T-bane
The Oslo Metro is the rapid transit system of Oslo, Norway, operated by Oslo T-banedrift on contract from the transit authority Ruter. The network consists of six lines that all run through the city centre, with a total length of . It has a daily ridership of 268,000 with 105 stations of which 16...
lines 5 and 6.
History
The Rodeløkka Line was first opened on 27 March 1900 as a double track from Nybrua along Trondheimsveien before it branched off at Helgesens gate towards RodeløkkaRodeløkka
Rodeløkka is a neighborhood in Grünerløkka in Oslo, Norway.From 1900 to 1961, it was served by the Rodeløkka Line of the Oslo Tramway.-The name:...
. Built by Kristiania Sporveisselskap, the initial Sinsen Line was built as a single-track branch of the Rødeløkka Line that continued along Trondheimsveien to just north of Carl Berners plass and opened on 1 February 1923. It was served by the newly created Line 13 that operated through the city center to Skillebekk
Skillebekk (station)
Skillebekk is a light rail station on the Oslo Tramway.Located at Skillebekk, it was opened by Kristiania Elektriske Sporvei on 2 March 1894 as a part of the first stretch of what would become the Skøyen Line. It is served by line 13....
on the Skøyen Line
Skøyen Line
The Skøyen Line is a tramway line running from Slottsparken to Skøyen in Oslo, Norway. It is served by line 13 of the Oslo Tramway. It connects the Briskeby Line at Slottsparken to the Lilleaker Line at Skøyen....
. It ran every twelve minutes, but was times with Line 9 of the Rodeløkka Line so they gave a six-minute headway on the shared section to the city center.
KSS and hence the line was taken over 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...
on 1 May 1924. From 4 May the line was instead operated by Line 3 to Skøyen, but this was changed back for Line 13 on 29 June. This time the headway was increased to fifteen minutes. From 29 May 1927, Line 12 which connected to the Briskeby Line
Briskeby Line
The Briskeby Line is a section of the Oslo Tramway which runs between Jernbanetorget, through the neighborhoods of Briskeby and Uranienborg, before arriving at Majorstuen...
took over the route. From 19 January 1937, the Sinsen Line was again served by Line 3 to Skøyen. On 28 June 1938, the section from the branch with the Rodeløkka Line to Carl Berners plass was rebuilt to double track. From 28 June 1939, Line 3 followed the Vestbanen Line to Skøyen. From 19 December, the line was extended along Trondheimsveien to Sinsen; this section was built with double track. From 18 February 1940, Line 3 was again moved back to the Skøyen Line to Skøyen and the line started using the new Gullfisk trams. At the same time, Line 13 was changed to run from along the Sagene Ring
Sagene ring
Sagene ring is a former tramway in Oslo, Norway. The route was operated as line 0 of the Oslo Tramway between 1916 and 1954. The line went from the depot behind Sagene Church along Nordre Gravlund, Geitmyrsveien, Colletts gate, Ullevålsveien, Akersgaten, Karl Johans gate, via Stortorvet, Storgata,...
via the city center to Sinsen. In 1948, the tracks at Carl Berners plass was rebuilt to run through the roundabouts at both ends of the square.
The trams along the Rodeløkka Line were terminated from 6 February 1949 and replaced by buses. At the same time, trolleybus
Trolleybus
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...
lines were installed to cross the tram lines at Carl Berners plass and Line 13 was moved to run along the Kjelsås Line
Kjelsås Line
The Kjelsås Line is a tramway line running from Storo to Kjelsås in the norther part of Oslo, Norway. The line opened by Oslo Sporveier on 25 September 1934 as an extension of the Grünerløkka–Torshov Line that terminated at Storo. It is served by line 11 and 12 of the Oslo Tramway operated by Oslo...
, leaving only Lines 1 and 3. On 7 July 1952, the Gullfisk were replaced with 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....
units. From 5 July 1953, Line 3 operated via Oslo East Station
Jernbanetorget (station)
Jernbanetorget is both a rapid transit station on the Oslo Metro and a light rail station of the Oslo Tramway. The metro station is in the Common Tunnel used by all lines under the city centre. It is located between Stortinget to the west and Grønland to the east. Until the construction of the...
. From 7 September 1953, Line 17 that connected with the Ullevål Hageby Line
Ullevål Hageby Line
The Ullevål Hageby Line is a light rail section of the Oslo Tramway. It runs from Stortorvet in the city center of Oslo, Norway to Rikshospitalet. It passes through the areas of St. Hanshaugen, Ullevål Hageby and Blindern before reaching Gaustad...
started running along the Sinsen Line, as did the rush-hour only Line 14E which connected with the Frogner Line
Frogner Line
The Frogner Line is a section of the Oslo Tramway which runs between Solli and Majorstuen, serving the neighborhood of Frogner. The line is served by tram number 12, and the Frogner section makes up the westernmost part of this line...
. From 4 July 1954, Line 1 was moved to connect to Oslo East Station, while Line 14E was terminated and Line 3 was moved to operate via Dronningens gate. From 30 August, the rush-hour only Line 15E was also run along the Sinsen Line, and otherwise followed mostly the same route as Line 1, except that it ran through Dronningens gate instead of the East Station.
A new branch line to Rodeløkka was opened on 2 January 1955, because the tram gave lower operating costs than the bus. The line ran from Carl Berners plass down Dælenengata and then used the block Dælenengata–Fagerheimgata–Marstrandgata–Københavngata–Dæenengata as a balloon loop
Balloon loop
A balloon loop or turning loop allows a rail vehicle or train to reverse direction without having to shunt or even stop. Balloon loops can be useful for passenger trains and unit freight trains, such as coal trains....
. Line 13 was moved to serve the Rodeløkka Line. From 22 May 1956, Line 15E was terminated. During 1957, an extension from Sinsen to the Grefsen Depot was built. Here the line connected to the Grünerløkka–Torshov Line. Line 17 was extended to Grefsen, where it continued as Line 10 along the Grünerløkka–Torshov Line. The same year, the last Gullfisk were removed from service on the Sinsen Line. From 1959, the Rodeløkka Line was reduced to a rush-hour only service and was terminated on 23 April 1961. The tracks were removed from 1962 to 1964, and the southern section re-designated to the Sinsen Line. From 25 June 1961, Line 17 was terminated and the section from Sinsen via Grefsen to Storo was taken out of service, although the tracks were kept to allow access to the depot. At the same time, Line 3 was replaced with Line 7, which connected to the Ullevål Hageby Line.
In 1968, the trolleybus lines were removed from Carl Berners plass, and the following year the Sinsen Interchange
Sinsen Interchange
The Sinsen Interchange is a heavily trafficked, multilevel road junction in Oslo, Norway. It connects the highways Norwegian National Road 150 and Trondheimsveien. The junction has existed since the 19th century, and has grown considerably in size since then. It was enhanced with a roundabout in...
was rebuilt to a two-level interchange. Because of this, the old balloon loop at Sinsen had to be demolished and replaced with a new further north at Muselunden, that was taken into use on 16 October 1969. During the end of 1977 and in early 1978, a trial articulated tram from Düwag was tested on Sinsen Line on Lines 1 and 7. In December 1978, the tram lines between Carl Berners plass and Rosenhoff were moved adjacent to the sidewalk. From 6 December 1982, Line 1 was operated without a conductor
Conductor (transportation)
A conductor is a member of a railway train's crew that is responsible for operational and safety duties that do not involve the actual operation of the train. The title of conductor is most associated with railway operations in North America, but the role of conductor is common to railways...
and from 2 January 1983 also on Line 7. From 2 April, the SL79
SL79
SL79 is a class of 40 articulated trams operated by the Oslo Tramway of Norway. The trams were a variation of the Duewag trams that had been developed by the German manufacturer since the 1950s. The six-axle vehicles are unidirectional with four doors on the right side. The trams can seat 77...
articulated tram was put into service on both lines.
The line was among those proposed for closure in 2002 when the tram company attempted to save money by transferring the traffic to buses. A city grant of saved the line along with several others.
Future expansion
Plans for a tramway to Tonsenhagen were launched in the 1950s, and in 1954 the city council zoned the necessary area for the route. Modified versions of the plans were again passed by the city council in 1986, with subsequent zoning passed in 1993. The proposed line will continue along Trondheimsveien in its own right-of-way down the center of the road. A new station will be built at Sinsenterrassen, for both trams and buses. The line will receive a station serving Aker University HospitalAker 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...
, before the line runs to Bjerke
Bjerke
Bjerke is a borough of the city of Oslo, Norway.The most densely populated residential areas are located along the Trondheimsveien, including the high-rise apartment blocks of Linderud. The shopping centre at Linderud is also home to the borough council's administration. The northern areas of the...
in a culvert
Culvert
A culvert is a device used to channel water. It may be used to allow water to pass underneath a road, railway, or embankment. Culverts can be made of many different materials; steel, polyvinyl chloride and concrete are the most common...
under Norwegian National Road 4
Norwegian National Road 4
Riksvei 4 is a national road which is the main route north from Oslo, Norway. The road runs through Nittedal, Hadeland and Toten to Mjøsa....
and Traverveien. The line will the run from Årvoll to Tonsenhagen, with part of the route planned as a conventional street tram in mixed traffic to eliminate the need for expropriation
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
on the east side of Årvollveien and impact on parks.
The project is estimated to give a profit for Ruter of NOK 7 million per year and have an economic positive impact for society of NOK 20 million. The line will remove the substantial parallel running of trams along Trondheimsveien and the Sinsen Line and the current bus line 31 can be terminated. Trams are more energy efficient and give less global and local pollution than buses, increasing the positive impact. The project is presumed financed through Oslo Package 3.