[1] Prior to the merger, the Norwegian State Railways carried out a detailed survey of the business aspects of the two lines.
[3] NSB therefore rejected taking over the line and instead proposed running a bus service from Tønsberg to Auli twice per day.
[4] NSB was more positive to the upper section, and proposed that the segment from Hoff to Eidsfoss remain, as most of the freight could be transferred to Holmestrand.
However, to rationalize operations, they merged the two railway companies to create Vestfold Privatbaner on 23 August 1934.
This was met with resistance in Holmestrand, as an estimated 44 people would lose their jobs and Viking Melk would possibly have to close down.
The detour via Tønsberg increased transport costs, and the director attempted at using trucks to freight pulp to Holmestrand instead of using the train.
Because of the uncertain future of the line, they decided to transfer production to Sundland in Drammen and the unfinished cars were sent via HVB.
The last revenue train to Tønsberg ran on 31 May 1938,[8] which, caused by lack of proper maintenance of the track, derailed at Hoff Station.
It was at the time intact with a full inventory, including such items as a complete storage of unused tickets.
One person offered to donate two carriages, with original interior and coloring, but after a building permit was rejected he instead chose to burn them down.