West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan)

West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan)

The West Dalarna Line or in Swedish: Västerdalsbanan, is a 129-kilometer (80 mi) long railway line between Malung and the Dala Line near Borlänge, in Dalarna County, Sweden. It has only freight traffic.

West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) History

The oldest part of the line is Repbäcken–Björbo, opened 1905. The newest is Vansbro–Malung, from 1934. Until the 1960s, the line extended to Särna about 130 km north of Malung. In 2011 the passenger traffic was discontinued in favour of rail-replacement buses because of the low track quality and the requirement to install the ERTMS signalling system into the trains, a 20 million SEK cost for the train owner (the county). Itino trains was used before then. The line is the first line in the world to get the ERTMS level 3 signalling system, which started test operation late 2010, and full operation in February 2012.

West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Overview

West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Owner: Swedish Transport Administration
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Termini:
Repbäcken
Malung
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Service Type: Railway
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) System: Swedish railway network
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Operator(s): Green Cargo
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Opened: 1905-1934
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Line Length: 129 km (80 mi)
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Number of Tracks: Single
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Character: Freight, signaling test trains.
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Electrification: None
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Operating Speed: 80 to 100 km/h (50 to 60 mph)
West Dalarna Line (Västerdalsbanan) Signalling: ERTMS Regional