Main page The Tramway Museum The Tramway Museum Vognhall 5 Information about the museum

Information about the museum

"CHICKEN": OS 38 is exhibited in the Tramway Museum Vognhall 5.
(Photo: Erik Berdal Schou.)

The tramshed
The Tramway Museum Vognhall 5 is situated in Kristiania Elektriske Sporvei's ("blue tram") tramshed no. 5 at Majorstuen in Oslo, Norway. The tramshed was built in 1913 by architect Paul Due, a person who stands behind many railway buildings in Norway. Local Transport Historical Association moved into the building in 1983 and opened the museum first time in 1985. In the period 1995 - 1996, the building was renovated, and the whole exhibition has been rebuilt.

Track connection
The museum got back its track connection to the rest of AS Oslo Sporveier's tramway system in 1994. Earlier, we ran veteran trams in co-operation with AS Oslo Sporveier, with our own tramcars from our own tramshed. Unfortunately, this hasn't been possible the last couple of years, but we hope to continue with this at our veteran tramway at Vinterbro outside Oslo. The tramcars are manned with volunteers, but all tramcar drivers are already employed by AS Oslo Sporveier.

The exhibition
The museum itself consists of a comprehensive rolling stock which represents all eras of Oslo's history of public transport. We have 25 tramcars and 10 buses in the exhibition. In addition, there are other vehicles. For instance, we have horse tramcars from 1875, Holmenkolbane tramcars from 1897, Ekebergbane tramcars, a trolleybus, a petrol buss from 1939, a Leyland Worldmaster bus and a Büssing. Among the exhibited vehicles, you may see a large photo exhibition with explanatory texts, signboards and maps. Many photos will probably pass the memories in review, both for elder and younger visitors. If you contact us in advance, we can arrange guided tours for groups.

The museum catalogue is not available in English.

INSIDE THE TRAMCARS: In the Tramway Museum Vognhall 5 you may also step into many tramcars. (Photo: Håkon Kinck Gaarder.)

Musem shop
We have a museum shop which sells all kind of tramway related effects from our webshop. Here you'll find postcards, pins, all kind of books, catalogues, calendars and information booklets. The museum guard will also help you to answer your questions both about the exhibition and the historical conditions in the city.

Kindergarden, school class or tourist group?
If you are a kindergarden, school class or tourist group, we'll be happy to welcome you to the museum, preferably on Mondays between 12:00 p.m. and 15:00 p.m. It would be an advantage if you tell us in forehand, so we know when we ought to man up the museum. All work in the museum is done by volunteers, therefore it's difficult to keep the museum open at other times than the opening hours. But do ask us; if we have the possibility, we you be glad to show a group around!

Not heated during the winter
The museum is situated in a tramshed which isn't heated, except for the museum shop, Holmenkolbane metrocar no. 110 (which is used as a meeting room) and our offices. During the winter it's "out-door temperature" in the tramshed, so be well-dressed!

Opening hours etc.
Basic information about the museum is situated here.