Tertitten Steam Train Journey
(The Urskog-Høland Railway)
The Urskog-Høland Line, affectionately known to locals as Tertitten, is a beautifully preserved 750 mm narrow-gauge heritage railway that stands as a living testament to Norway’s golden age of steam . Located in Sørumsand, just a short journey east of Oslo, this pristine museum line offers an evocative portal into the turn-of-the-century transport era.
Half an hour outside Oslo you can meet a chuffing steam locomotive with carriages from past centuries which travel between authentic station buildings along a stretch of the old Urskog-Hølandsbanen. Here everyone who likes vintage can have a special experience! Take your seats!
A Heritage of Narrow-Gauge Engineering
The Lifeline of Akershus: Opened in stages between 1896 and 1903, the original line served as a vital timber and passenger link between Sorumsand and Skulerud.
The Fight for Preservation: Following its closure as a commercial line in 1960, dedicated volunteers stepped in to salvage a 3.6-kilometer section . Today, it is meticulously curated under the auspices of MiA – Museums in Akershus.
Pristine 750 mm Gauge: Unlike more common narrow gauges, Tertitten operates on a rare 750 mm width, making its compact locomotives and rolling stock exceptionally charming and unique.
The Steam Experience
The Vintage Fleet: The railway's pride rests in its operational steam locomotives, including the iconic century-old tank engines «Urskog», «Høland», and «Prytz».
Authentic Travel: Passengers travel in masterfully restored, wooden-paneled passenger carriages. The slow-paced, rhythmic journey is punctuated by the unmistakable scent of burning coal and the resonant chime of the steam whistle.
Sørumsand Station: The experience begins at a dedicated heritage platform parallel to the modern commuter station. It features an authentic station building, historic workshops, and a traditional water tower where the steam engines refuel.
Seasonal Departures & Special Trains
Tertitten operates as a seasonal museum experience, capturing the romance of the rails during specific times of the year:
The Summer Season: Public scheduled trains run on Sundays from June through August. Trains depart regularly in the afternoon, offering an idyllic summer outing through the rolling countryside of Lillestrøm municipality.
The Autumn & Christmas Specials: The line hosts highly popular themed runs, including twilight autumn trips and the magical Juletog (Christmas Train) in December, which transports visitors through the snow to meet the traditional Norwegian Nisse.
Tickets
Tickets can be bought at Sørumsand station on the same day as you will travel.
2nd class Children/Senior Citizens kr 110,- Adults kr 200,-
3rd class Children/Senior Citizens kr 80,- Adults kr 150,-
Reservation of a carriage in a normal train kr 1500,- per carriage. Ordinary tickets will be required in addition to the reservation.
Children under 3 years travel free.
Departures
Departures at 11.00, 12.15, 13.30 and 14.45 from Sørumsand station.
Following dates (pre Christmas):
1. søndag i advent 29.11 -flere avganger
2. søndag i advent 06.12 -flere avganger
3. søndag i advent 13.12 -flere avganger
4. søndag i advent 20.12 -flere avganger
Romjulstog søndag 27.12 -flere avganger
Nyttårstog torsdag 31.12 -flere avganger
Buy tickets:
Journey Logistics
The railway is highly accessible, making it a perfect day trip from the capital city.
By Public Transit: Tertitten is arguably one of the easiest heritage lines to visit without a car [1]. Simply take the L1, R14, or RE11 commuter train from Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) directly to Sørumsand Station. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes, and the heritage platform is located immediately adjacent to the modern tracks.
By Car: If driving from Oslo, take the E6 northbound toward Lillestrøm, then transition to Route 22 and Route 171 eastbound to Sørumsand. A trip of roughly 40 kilometers takes around 35 to 40 minutes, with parking available near the station center.
Ticket Booking Guidelines
Securing passage on the Urskog-Høland Line requires advance planning, as these historic voyages operate with limited capacity.
Online Reservations: Tickets should be purchased in advance through the official MiA – Museums in Akershus digital portal. While walk-up tickets at the Sørumsand ticket office are sometimes available on regular summer Sundays, they are subject to strict availability.
Premium Seasonal Events: For high-demand experiences like the Autumn Twilight Trains and the December Christmas Train (Juletog), tickets sell out weeks in advance. Registration typically opens online in early autumn.
Ticket Inclusions: A standard round-trip ticket grants you a reserved seat in the historic wooden carriages and access to the museum grounds, workshop sheds, and open-air displays at Sørumsand.
The "Golden Age of Industry" Curated Itinerary
This premium, self-drive day itinerary seamlessly connects the romantic steam era of Tertitten with the majestic timber and water-powered heritage of the Akershus region.
10:30 AM – The Grand Departure at Sørumsand
Begin your morning at the historic platform adjacent to Sørumsand Station. Arrive early to watch the crew stoke the firebox of the locomotive and witness the water tower replenishment.
The Experience: Board the vintage wooden carriages for a round-trip steam journey through the rolling fields. Feel free to peer out the open windows to capture the classic sights and sounds of the 750 mm narrow-gauge line.
Time Allocation: 1.5 hours.
12:15 PM – Midday Riverside Stroll at Bingsfoss
After returning to your vehicle, take a brief 5-minute drive south along Route 171 to Bingsfoss.
The Experience: This powerful waterfall on the Glomma River was historically crucial for driving logs downstream. Walk along the scenic riverbanks, admire the modern dam architecture contrasted against old river-crossing pathways, and enjoy a quiet moment by the rushing water.
Time Allocation: 45 minutes.
1:30 PM – A Historic Lakeside Lunch at Fetsund Lenser
Drive 15 minutes south along the Glomma River to the magnificent Fetsund Lenser, a unique national heritage monument and open-air museum.
The Experience: Established in 1861, this is Norway's only remaining timber-booming facility. Walk out over the water on the extraordinary floating pathways where generations of log-drivers sorted millions of timber logs bound for the sawmills.
Lunching: Enjoy a premium, locally sourced lunch at the onsite café overlooking the delta, and explore the contemporary wetland visitor center (Besøkssenter våtmark Nordre Øyeren).
Time Allocation: 2.5 to 3 hours.
Practical Travel Tips for the Day
Optimal Timing: This itinerary is best executed on a Sunday between June and August to guarantee that the Tertitten steam trains are running their regular public schedules.
Footwear: Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. The floating logs and walkways at Fetsund Lenser require steady footing.
Directional Flow: Fetsund Lenser sits directly on your route back toward Oslo, making the return drive at the end of the day a relaxed 25-minute cruise down the Route 159 highway.