European Railroad Discussion > Scandinavia Trip Part 3 - Lokalbanen

In Denmark outside Copenhagen there are a number of "light railways" in the old British sense of the word. These are rural branchlines that are built to very light standards (which is originally how light rail got its name) - rails laid on the ground with very little preparation or ballast, small simple stations or "halts", and smaller, lighter vehicles. These lines were formerly operated by railbuses, but are now operated by Alsthom LINT DMUs. There is evidence of past freight traffic, but I think most of the freight traffic is gone, at least on the lines I rode. These lines are connected to the main DSB network, but without regular through-running. Frequencies on most lines are every half-hour during most of the day, with hourly headways evenings and Sundays. At the halts you have to press a button to activate a signal to let the operator know you want to board, much the same as at some stations on SEPTA's Norristown High Speed Line.

The lines I rode were Hillerod to Helsingor via Gilleleje, and then Helsingor to Hillerod via Fredensborg. Hillerod is the big nexus of the network, with 4 lines radiating out from that station. Hillerod is connected to Copenhagen by frequent S-Tog trains on Line E. For lunch there is an excellent kebab stand across the street from the Hillerod train station.

1) Train for Tisvildeleje departing Hillerod.

2) Train arriving from Gilleleje at Hillerod. Note light trackwork.

3) Train arriving from Gilleleje at Hillerod.

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4) Train at Saltrup, headed to Gilleleje. Saltrup is a small rural halt midway between Hillerod and Gilleleje. While waiting at this platform I saw a fox and a buck with a full head of antlers.

5) Halt at Saltrup. Station was abandoned, but the old 1950s/60s era station sign was still attached, with lettering style reminiscent of British Railways Gill Sans typeface.

6) Train arriving Saltrup, headed for Hillerod.

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7) Interior of Alsthom LINT DMU.

8) DMUs passing at Graested.

9) DMU at Helsingor.

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Is there still street running in Helsingor?

They do!
Pictures taken in July 2011!

Tom

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Long live the LINTs!

Thanks for sharing!

More on the street-running section in Helsingor:

10) Here's a shot from the waterside of a train on the street running section in Helsingor, which goes right by the wharf and Helsingor Castle (Elsinore Castle from Hamlet, for all you English majors out there). BTW - the Helsingor Station has large statues of Hamlet and the drowned Ophelia out in front of the station. So if you need to convince any traveling companions of the historic and literary merit of taking the train to Helsingor - that's it!

11) And here's a shot of Helsingor Castle from the train.

12) And a better one from the castle grounds.

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