Odense Tramway (OS)

Closed

October 11, 1911 - 1943: Odense Elektriske Sporvej (OES).

City: Odense (Denmark).
Total route length: 13.1 km (8.1 miles).

Track gauge: 1435 mm (standard gauge).
Opened: October 11, 1911.
Closed: June 30, 1952.

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Trams and light rails in Denmark

Select a city: Aarhus, Copenhagen, Odense, Rømø, Skælskør, and Skjoldenæsholm.

Discontinued tram lines

Odense Havnelinie
Closed

Odense Hovedlinie: Fruens Bøge - Hunderup Skov
Closed

Odense Skibhuslinie: Frelsens Krog - Bøgebjergvej
Closed

Odense Tramway (OS) stops

Banegården, Bøgebjergvej, Frelsens Krog, Fruens Bøge, Hunderup Skov, Klingenberg, and Skibhusvej.

View the route map in high resolution. See the official route map.

Former trams in operation

Open sidecar: 51.

Railcar: 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17.

Sidecar: 30, 32, 34, 38, 58, 59.

Tram Museum Skjoldenæsholm
Open regularly

Open sidecar: 51.

Railcar: 12.

Sidecar: 59.

Uppsala Spårvägar (US)
Closed

Cottage: 12.

Railcar: 12.

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Photos from Odense Tramway (OS)

Skjoldenæsholm Eilers Eg (2007)The waiting room from Fruens Bøge Erected in the loop at Eilers Eg Tram Museum Skjoldenæsholm.By Henrik Boye - August 18, 2007.

Archive photo: Odense Hovedlinie with railcar 14 at Banegården (1930-1939)By Henrik Boye.
1930 - 1939.

Postcard: Odense Hovedlinie with railcar 17 at Søndergade/Filosofgangen (1952)Sporvejshistorisk Selskab owns 1 railcar and two trailer loads from Odense.By Henrik Boye, Sporvejshistorisk Selskab (SHS) - 1952.

3:44

Johnny Wøllekær from the Stadsarkivet about the city's historical development (2022)City archivist Johnny Wøllekær talks about Odense's development from trams to motorway to light rail and urban transformation. Thanks to Historiens Hus for lending photos.By Odense Letbane - March 28, 2022.

Postcard: Odense Hovedlinie on Hunderupvej (1900-1915)Odense - Technical SchoolBy Henrik Boye, Kull - 1900 - 1915.

Odense at Hunderup Skov (2013)Converted to "Ice Cream". Waiting room is still the same place.By Henrik Boye - September 14, 2013.

Postcard: Odense Hovedlinie by Banegården (1912)Odense. State Railways. Universal Postal Union (Union postale universelie) Postcard - Carte PostaleBy H. Schmidt Fot. Lideallé, Henrik Boye - 1912.

27:47

Odense Sporveje 100 years (1911-2011)On October 5, 1911, A/S Odense Elektriske Sporvej began operations. On the same day, the old Odense tram will leave from the Sporvejsmuseet to Flakhaven in Odense and will be on display at Denmark's Railway Museum for the rest of October. The fifth of October — is it exactly 100 years since the Odense Electric Tramway Company began operating its first track? And on this centennial, October 5th, can you see the old Odense track, now at the Gedsholm Tramway Museum in front of Odense City Hall, just as it appeared when first shown to the public on September 12, 1997, after being fully renovated from October 6 through the rest of the month? Can you view the track at the Danish Railway Museum, which currently hosts an exhibition about modern trams and light rail, now making their way back to Denmark's three historic tramway cities: Odense, Copenhagen, and Aarhus? If anyone knows the history of the Odense Tramway, it's Ole Iskov. His father worked for the Odense Tramway Company, and his deep interest in tramways stems from a lifelong fascination. Ole Esgaard authored a book about the Odense Tramway, published by the Tramway Historical Society in 1986. You're mentioned in the foreword of that book. The American author Ray Bradbury’s book, "Dandelion Wine," features a main character, Douglas, who at 12 years old experiences something about the tramway in his hometown in the USA. Why did you mention that book? I can't help but compare it to myself. I was also me—I was 14 when they closed the Odense tramway—and I feel the same way as Douglas in "Dandelion Wine," which isn’t a science fiction book, unlike Bradbury’s usual style. He says something like, "The nice carriage driver comes and drives his tram and says, Hey kids, hop in—it's free today. It’s the last day," Douglas says, "the last day." They can't do that forever—he’d driven the tram his whole life, knew its sounds, its smell, and so on. And I think the same thing happened to me, too. When I arrived in Odense in 1950 and worked with the tramway for two and a half years, I always knew it was going to close—a beautiful day. But it wasn’t until July 1, 1952, when I saw all the carriages idle in Sønderborg, that it really hit me—no more trams. It was serious. Never again. And what strikes me is that the same thing happens again in R. Bredberg’s book. I moved from Svendborg to Odense in January 1950 because my father, a machinist at Svendborg Municipal Electricity Company, was hired as a foreman at Odense Tramway. He was trained as a machinist and apprenticed with Thomas B. Trige before attending the Mechanical Engineering School. He knew Thomas B. Trige, and apprentices usually received a few kind words from him when they became "Svenne." So, my father attended the Mechanical Engineering School and became a machinist, working alongside an electrical installer. He also worked with AP Møller for a few years in the 1930s, including on the tanker Jan Mærk. Mærk came ashore before the war and was employed by the Copenhagen Lighting Service, working at HC Ørstedsværket and the good damage repair shop. My father also chose his predecessor, the old post foreman Andersen, a trained machinist. That’s why it felt right for me to come to Odense, just like Odense's tracks. Even though I knew from the newspapers that it was going to shut down, I already had a slight interest in the trams of Copenhagen. I was born in Copenhagen and lived on line five, which was the last tram line there, so I had it in my blood. The first time I was with my father in the depot, I saw all the trams—it was truly exciting. They were mostly out and running, but some remained in the depot. Strangely, I even got a greeting from the depot director that day. He thought it was fun to walk around and see what kind of kids were in the depot. He was always kind. I’d previously gone for a ride in Odense and was very excited. The trams I saw were red and blue. I was used to the yellow ones in Copenhagen. It was fortunate that my father's face meant we kids got free passes—though only on school days or weekdays, not on weekends, holidays, or evenings. But when the trams finally ran, I gradually learned all the motor cars—and I remember every single one. Number 12 was one of them, sold to Uppsala in 1945, along with number six. I knew many drivers—I eagerly stood close to them—and even many conductors, though I'm not sure they all knew me. I was a shy boy, after all. But the conductors were nice, and I always enjoyed my rides.By SporvognDK - 1911 - 2011.

Odense at Hunderup Skov (2019)Converted to "Ice Cream". Waiting room is still the same place.By Henrik Boye - April 16, 2019.

2:26

How to light rail: How to move safely around Odense's new road user (2022)What are the rules for the light rail? You probably want to avoid getting run over when you're on it. But have you completely gotten used to Odense's new traffic? Here are a few tips for staying safe on the light rail. The light rail in Odense will open on May 28, 2022, after the schedule has been delayed by 16 months. Are you excited? Journalist and organizer: Emilie Foxil Photographer: Lasse Beck Frost Editor: Sofie Dambæk Rasmussen __________________________________________________ Here are our most popular videos: MAGNUS AND AXEL: WHO KNOWS THE OTHER BEST? Is Aksel proud of Funen? And what does 'Magnus time' mean? • MAGNUS AND AXEL: WHO KNOWS THE OTHER BEST... DRIVING LICENSE CHEATING? "I was missing eight lessons" l The fraudulent driving instructors (1:2) l Note Documentary: • DRIVING LICENSE CHEATING? "I was missing eight lessons... Here are our most popular series: Nikolai chases playing time at Juventus • Series: On the team with Ronaldo - The dream of Ju... Caroline with Downs moves away from home • Series: Caroline moves away from home. Fyn pride with Futte Fynbo • FOOD FROM THE THOUGHT IS GOURMET! l Futte Fynbo a... Bemærk produces the videos under TV 2/Fyn. Bemærk is a news media. We produce journalistic content about life and everyday life on Funen. What you know, and what you don't know. Always from your perspective. We create news, features, and events centered around communities that put you at the heart. At Bemærk, you can always expect content for dialogue and debate. If you want to get involved, you are always welcome to contact us at bemærk@tv2fyn.dk or on one of our social media.By Bemærk - May 27, 2022.

See all photos from Odense Tramway (OS).

Last updated: May 8, 2026.