Both stamps features the Bergen Line between Oslo and Bergen, which was one hundred years old in 2009. The decision to start building this railway came in 1894 after years of discussion about possible routes. Its construction presented great challenges as the track would run through high inhospitable areas with no roads, where the snow lies several meters deep in the winter. The work on the 5311-meter long Gravhals Tunnel was particularly difficult and it took six years working three shifts a week to complete. Steam locomotives were used until 1957. Then diesel locomotives took over until the line was electrified in 1964. Both stamps are based on photos of the twin set of class 73, an electric motor unit, called "Signatur" by the owner NSB. One set has 4 cars (litra BM+BFR+BMU+BFM) and a capacity of 204 passengers. These tilting train sets exist in both blue & silver and red & silver colour schemes and are made in Norway by ADtranz. The
summer photo shows a train set near Stanghelle Station, not far from Bergen.
Catalogue Nos.: Sc / SG / Mi / YT / NK 1715
The railway between Oslo and Bergen, the two largest cities in Norway, is one of the most exciting and beautiful train journeys in the world. No other train journey between two cities in Europe reaches a higher altitude than the one between Oslo and Bergen. The highest station on the line is Finse, 1222 meters above sea level. The highest point is at Fagernut, 1237 meters above sea level. Today, the Bergen Line is 527 kilometers long. During the trip, passengers can witness amazing scenery, splendid waterfalls, steep mountains, glaciers, forests and typical Norwegian countryside and villages. The scene on this
winter photo is taken just as the train comes out of a tunnel near Finse Station.
