Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, Norway was somewhere high on my bucket list to explore by train.
Of all the scenic railways on offer, the best known has to be the Oslo to Bergen route, with stunning landscapes. It also has world famous status due to the route traversing the location where Star Wars was filmed. We have reported on two trips on this line at Rail-Away, one featuring the daytime journey (click here to read) and the other sampling the night train with its innovative PlusNight accommodation and comfortable sleepers (click here to read).
This time, we’re exploring another of Norway’s iconic train journeys — arguably the country’s second most famous route. The Dovre Railway, Norway’s main north–south line, links the capital Oslo with cities further north, including Trondheim and Bodø.
An ambitious project that took more than 70 years to complete, the Dovre Railway winds its way through several national parks. The route rewards travellers with sweeping views of mountains, valleys, and untouched wilderness.
In August 2023, heavy rainfall and strong winds closed part of the route between Ringebu and Fåvang. The Randklev bridge on the Gudbrandsdalslågen river collapsed. Direct trains could no longer run.
It was in February 2024, when myself and a friend planned to travel on the route, operated by SJ Nord. Thankfully, we were still able to travel mostly by train between Trondheim and Oslo.
Norway has moved away from one nationalised operator and split its railway lines into franchises. These are competed for by private companies. The routes to the north were transferred from the state operator, NSB, to SJ Nord in 2020. SJ Nord is the Norwegian branch of the Swedish Railways, SJ.
We travelled from Trondheim to Oslo, and were able to sample not one, but both of the train types that operate the full route today. We’ll feature both trains here – bonus content just for you and so you know all of your options!
Before we start delving into this epic journey, here’s the all important route map:
Departure from Trondheim Sentralstasjon
Located on the banks of the Nidelva river is the setting for Trondheim’s sentralstasjon, or central station. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, the station isn’t the easiest to recognise at first. The yellow-walled façade is missing a large clock or a railway company logo.
Although the six-platform station is the largest in central Norway, the building is fairly small and facilities are limited. On offer are toilets, ticket vending machines, luggage lockers, shop and a café.
Onboard the SJ Nord InterCity train
Arriving at the platform for 09:40, our train on Norway’s F6 line was boarding ready for its departure at 09:53. The destination board with ‘Oslo S’ marked nearly had us fooled that the route was suddenly back open again. Then we agreed that putting Oslo was the best course of action on passenger familiarity grounds. This was still the train to go to Oslo after all, but this specific train wouldn’t take us there. The departure boards actually mentioned where the replacement bus would operate to and from, reminding us of the looming bus journey.
Pedantry to one side, we boarded the train and located our seats in carriage number 5 for the leg of the journey to Ringebu. We then needed to take a rail replacement bus to Fåvang and another train to reach Oslo. This was clearly marked in the journey planners at the point of booking, which was great to see to know where we were at.
Our 09:53 was operated by one of SJ Nord’s classic loco-hauled trains with the second, the 14:35 from Fåvang, operated by a newer, distinctly Scandinavian, Class 73 train (these trains don’t operate anywhere else).
As I write this in October 2025, I’m pleased to report that the full route has re-opened with trains up to six times a day, taking around six-and-a-half to seven-and-a-half hours for the full trip from Trondheim to Oslo. This includes one night train option with comfortable sleepers.
Firstly, let’s take a look at the loco-hauled train. Normally, Premium accommodation is on offer, but due to the disruption only Standard Class accommodation was available.
Standard Class accommodation
Standard Class accommodation on the SJ Nord loco-hauled InterCity trains come in the form of 2+2 configured seating across the train, with seats mainly in airline-style formation, with seats facing the rear of the seats in front. These feature comfortable seating that those familiar with travel in Germany may recognise from the older InterCity Express (ICE) sets. These offer an excellent headrest pillow, which is a personal favourite feature of mine.
The seats also feature a small recline and footrest. The carriages have air-conditioning, power sockets, Wi-Fi and the windows have blinds – not that anyone on such a scenic route for the first time would want to use. The legroom provided is adequate.
There are, of course, toilets available in the vestibules. The toilets on the SJ Nord loco-hauled train showcase some destination marketing on the walls. The one I visited featured the Keiservarden mountain plateau on the Trondheim to Bodø route, where these carriages also operate on. A trip for another time.
Onboard Restaurant Carriage
The SJ Nord InterCity trains also feature The Café, or ‘Kaféen’ in Norwegian. It was approaching lunch time and I was on the hunt for some Norwegian gastronomy. Thankfully this was open with options available to satisy my hunger.
For those used to travelling long distance in Scandinavia, I’ve found that restaurant carriages are generally the same. There is no table service and food and drink orders are at the counter rather than at your seat. You can select your own from a takeaway fridge and food is served in disposable packaging. There is no difference in Norway, except perhaps the prices are higher.
Travelling on the Dovre Line, famous for its moose populations, it seemed only fitting to try the café’s signature dish – the moose burger. It was served with coleslaw and pickled cucumber and rocket leaves, and crisps and was delicious.
Our loco-hauled train arrived a few minutes late in Ringebu where this leg would conclude. Pleasantly, SJ Nord appeared to think of everything to make sure our connections would work and nobody was left behind allowing me to take a few pictures of this remote place I’d be unlikely to visit again. There were plenty of buses to accommodate everyone, and the drivers waited a little longer than scheduled to make sure everyone was accommodated for.
Class 73 SJ Nord InterCity train
Having survived the replacement bus journey from Ringebu to Fåvang (who likes replacement buses?), our new train was waiting to zip us to Oslo on the snowy platform at Fåvang, the Class 73.
Although only operating for a fraction of the route this time, these trains do operate the full length of the route now the line has re-opened.
As well as Standard Class accommodation, the Class 73 train also offers Premium. This wasn’t available to us to book, presumably because of the disruption, although the carriage was there. We were booked to travel in a regular Standard Class carriage, carriage number 2.
Standard Class accommodation
Standard Class accommodation comes with seating across the carriage in a 2+2 layout. Similarly to the loco-hauled train, the seats are mainly positioned in an airline-style, seating two, with a few tables of four dotted around.
I didn’t rate the seat comfort compared to the loco-hauled train, with the seat being a little harder and legroom a little more restricted. It was alright enough for the remaining three hours we had to travel to Oslo.
Facilities wise, the Class 73 is on a par to the loco-hauled train, with a small recline option and footrest. Also air-conditioning and power sockets were provided and Wi-Fi was available.
Premium accommodation
The Class 73 train also offers Premium accommodation, although as mentioned, this wasn’t available for us to book for our trip – probably due to the disruption. The seats are exactly the same as Standard Class with no apparent benefit to booking this accommodation on this type of train.
Onboard Restaurant Carriage
The Class 73 train also offers the Kaféen. The menu appeared to be the same as the loco-hauled equivalent, however the carriage design was different. There were hardly any places to sit, with standing tables only available to us. It was normal for passengers to take food back to their seats.
Scenery Showcase
The scenery on offer on the Dovre line is like a moving postcard, with mountaineous backdrop, glistening frozen lakes and rivers in winter time and deep forests.
Take a look at our Scenery Showcase video below, showing the sights and sounds of the trip with no narration!
Arrival into Oslo Sentralstasjon
Our odessy from central to south Norway had concluded and we arrived a few minutes behind schedule at Oslo Sentralstasjon (Central Station).
Facilities include shops and eateries aplenty, left luggage facilities, a ticket office and ticket machines.
Which train is the most recommended, the loco-hauled or the Class 73?
Both types of train operate on the Dovre line, with scheduled departure times for each type. Therefore, if you’re able to be flexible, it is possible to choose the type of train.
Both trains provided a reasonable range of amenities for the trip and were similar in a lot of ways. If I had the choice, I would choose the loco-hauled train. The seating in Standard Class is better on the loco-hauled trains. SJ Nord also offer an upgraded Premium seat on these trains, although that carriage wasn’t available to us on this trip.
The Kaféen was larger on these trains as well and had more seating areas.
You can see what type of train is scheduled to operate the service on Vagonweb. Click here to see the list of trains and what type of accommodation is available. I should note that these are only scheduled, and could change if operationally required.
Booking and Fares
Surprisingly, train travel tends to be reasonably priced in Norway, at least for the tickets themselves. As is the case across Europe, between Trondheim and Oslo prices are dynamic and are priced according to demand. This means that they typically increase closer to departure, so book as early as you can.
| Journey Leg | Standard Class | Premium Class |
| Trondheim to Oslo | from 299 NOK (£23, €26) | from 469 NOK (£35, €41) |
The operator of the train, SJ Nord, don’t retail tickets on their own website. Tickets are available via Entur, who sell all train tickets for travel in Norway – click here. Alternatively, book your tickets with Omio to help Rail-Away.
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Conclusion
A journey on the Dovre line from Trondheim to Oslo is a delight with picturesque landscapes, onboard amenities (including a restaurant carriage) and comfortable interiors. Norway is regarded as being an expensive country, but train tickets tend to be reasonable. An excellent way to experience the beauty of this route and to digest Norway’s beauty.
This travel report was first published in October 2025.
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