Take a Virtual Train Ride on Europe’s Steepest Railway
The Flåm Railway has just celebrated its 75th birthday and this is the first time the journey has been documented in 360° video (also the first time Expedia Norway has used 360° video).
Where in the world can you see fjords, mountains, glaciers, the midnight sun, northern lights, waterfalls and national parks all in one country? And where can you see a selection of this nature on one hour-long train ride? Expedia Norway has partnered with Visit Flåm to create the first ever 360° video of the journey. You can check it out here:
http://www.expedia.no/vc/c/virtuelle-flam
Viewers can drag the screen to explore the view from any possible angle – or if they have a virtual reality headset they can switch to VR mode to experience the journey as if they were actually there.
Charlotte Gogstad – Spokesperson, Expedia Norway
Virtual Flåm is an innovative way to present the spectacular Flåm Railway. This is the very first time the journey has been documented in a 360° video and in its entirety. It has made it possible to show everyone why this specific train journey is so popular. Norway is a country with varied and beautiful landscape. By travelling along the railway some of the most remarkable nature that can be experienced in Norway is available to a national as well as an international audience.
In 2016, Norway has experienced great numbers in terms of visitors. The western parts of the country turned out to be the most popular destination during the summer months. Due to this, we think that the best way to present Norway is by travelling along the world famous Flåm Railway.”
Bengt Hammer – Visit Flåm, Marketing Manager
Visit Flåm and Flåm Utvikling are proud to collaborate with Expedia. By using 360° video technology, the beautiful scenery along the railway is put to display in an exciting and visual way. This year is the 75th anniversary of the Flåm Railway, and the railway is more essential and requested than ever before. Flåm Utvikling, the company responsible for sales and marketing activities of the Flåm Railway, estimates there were 920 000 visitors in 2016. The steep train journey starts at the high mountain train station Myrdal, located along the Oslo-Bergen railway line. It runs all the way down to Flåm located by the very end of the fjord Aurlandsfjorden. The Flåm Railway is widely recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys and is also one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in Norway.”
What will you see?
The journey starts at the small mountain station of Myrdal as the train winds its way down through the mountains to its terminus in the village of Flåm in the fjords – passing snow-covered mountains, spectacular waterfalls, steep valleys and fjord landscapes on the way.
Here are the key landmarks you will see en route, which can be jumped straight to in the piece:
1 – Myrdal Station – The small mountain station where the journey begins
2 – Hardangervidda – Norway’s largest national park
3 – Kjosfossen – A spectacular 225m waterfall and one of Norway’s most visited attractions
4 – Rjoandefossen – A 241m “plunge” waterfall
5 – Flåm Church – A wooden church built in 1667
6 – Flåm Station – The terminus of the journey and location of the Flåm Railway Museum
The Flåm Railway is the steepest railway in Europe and was described by Lonely Planet Traveller magazine as the “world’s most incredible train journey of 2014”.
