Route
The Hardanger Line ran 27.45 kilometres (17.06 mi) from Voss to Granvin in Hardanger. From Voss to Skjervet, the line ran in relatively flat terrain, with easy construction. Along this section the route followed what is now Norwegian National Road 13. At Skjervet, the two split; towards Nesheim the gradient increased and the topography became more difficult. On this section there were four tunnels, named Skjervet Tunnel I through IV, the longest being 1,101 metres (3,612 ft). Between the two longest tunnels, the line was built on a shelf. Later, the tunnel was extended from 630 metres (2,070 ft) to also include that portion in the tunnel. From Skjervet, the railway ran on the west side of the river Granvinvatnet, while the road ran on the east side.
The Hardanger Line was built with a minimum curve radius of 180 metres (590 ft), a maximum gradient of 4.5 percent and built with standard gauge tracks weighing 25 kilograms per meter (50 lb/yd), later increased to 30 kilograms per meter (60 lb/yd). In 1980, the 3 kilometres (2 mi) section from Voss to Palmafoss had a permitted axle load of 18 tonnes (18 long tons; 20 short tons) and a maximum speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). From Palmafoss to Granvin, the permitted axle load was 12 tonnes (12 long tons; 13 short tons) and the maximum speed was 50 km/h (31 mph). The system had stations with buildings at Voss, Palmafoss, Mønshaug, Skjervet, Nesheim and Granvin. In addition, there were halts at Haugamo, Kinne, Bjørgum, Mala, Dalsleitet, Flatlandsmo, Såkvitno, Selland and Kolanes.
Granvin is a port on the Hardangerfjord and was the center for freight transport in Hardanger. Hardanger is dominated by a small number of large industrial companies, primarily smelters, which were responsible for more than 80 percent of the line's cargo volume. While Hardanger in the 1980s had a population of 40,000, Granvin had a population of 1,000 and was the smallest municipality in Hardanger. Granvin served as a ferry hub for services by Hardanger Sunnhordlandske Dampskipsselskap (HSD), and in 1980 there up to two daily services with the local ferry services in Hardanger, in addition to fast ferries to both Bergen and Stavanger. Buses operated to Granvin from Norheimsund and Kvanndal.
The line and power system is intact for 3 kilometres (2 mi) from Voss to Palmafoss and is retained by the Norwegian National Rail Administration. From there to Skjervet, the line has been asphalted, and is used as a hiking and bicycle path. The section from Skjervet to Nesheim is disused, although it has been proposed used as a road. From Nesheim the hiking and bicycle path continues, although the last kilometer before Granvin the right-of-way is disused. The station buildings at Nesheim and Granvin remain, but the ones at Palmafoss, Mønshaug and Skjervet has been demolished.
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