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Flam to Myrdal Train

October 17, 2001

Flam Norway

Dear Friends and Family,

One of the main attractions in Flam is the train that climbs from the fjord docks up the scenic Flam valley to the mountain town of Myrdal where it's possible to transfer to the Oslo-to-Bergen express train. We had heard that the train tracks were under repair but we were reassured that they would be fixed in time for our after-lunch departure. We certainly hoped that the Norwegian rail workers did good repairs because the train climbs over 3,000 feet in the 45-minute trip. This is the steepest normal gauge, non-cog, rail line in the world.

While we were on the Hurtigruten coastal ferry, many of our fellow travelers had said that they planned an excursion called "Norway in a Nutshell" which made the Flam to Myrdal trip. As we waited at the Flam station for our train ride, the ferry arrived and discharged these same travelers. We greeted the folks with whom we had spent three days on the M/S Polaryus and made the required comments about the world being very small.

Once started, the train soon passed through the fall-colored valley and past idyllic farms and waterfalls. Disney could have created a Disney World ride like this, but people would criticize it for its artificial sweetness and impossible scenery.

On the way up, the train passed through a number of tunnels including one where the train made more than a 180-degree change of direction inside the mountain. Earlier we had seen the line's original narrow-gauge steam engine and it was difficult to understand how this train line had been made and operated a century ago.

Near the top, we stopped at the Kjosfossen waterfall and walked on the platform midway along the fall's 300-foot drop. It also seems possible, in theory, to get to the top via a bicycle path that roughly parallels the train line. From near the Kjosfossen Falls, the path weaves back and forth across the last steep slope up to Myrdal.

At the top, we looked at the half-dozen buildings of Myrdal and concluded the 20-minute stop was plenty for us to see all we wanted to. Our Hurtigruten friends transferred to the big train and we both started again down our snow tunnels to our destinations. Our tunnel is the small and humble one. The load in our train car is also small too - just us. Of course, there are three other cars but I think each had two people on the return to Flam.

That return was filled with the same wonders as the ride up. Waterfalls. Disney scenery (Picture #10) Farms. Streams. The old church. Finally, we were back down at the fjord and off to a final spin throughout Flam - with the top down, despite the chill.

A memorable afternoon.

Take care. Drive with the top down if you can.

John and Marianne

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Created October 22, 2001

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