The derailment has significant consequences for train traffic over the mountain.
The Bergen Line is likely to be closed between Voss and Myrdal at least until Sunday, possibly longer, Bane Nor announced on Friday afternoon.
The section has been closed since around 03:00 early Friday morning. One of the cars of a freight train derailed with two wheels on the way east from Voss.
The night train to Oslo had to turn back at Voss and return to Bergen.
In the direction of Bergen, people had to take a bus from Ål to Voss.
The train derailed just before Voss early Friday morning.
According to Vy, there are no reports of injuries following the derailment at Voss.
– Unfortunately, there are few available buses and taxis, and it is difficult to get enough. We will do everything we can, but we recommend you to consider other modes of travel, Vy writes on its website.
The derailment is reported to have occurred at low speed.
Will replace 1800 parts
Press officer at Bane Nor, Harry Korslund, tells NRK that they have now uncovered
– The car has destroyed sleepers over a stretch of three kilometers, Korslund says.
The work will take a long time. Bane Nor is working to determine which parts of the track need repair.
They estimate that 1700-1800 sleepers must be replaced before traffic can resume. Additionally, there is damage to the fastening of the rails, cables, and other equipment.
All trains on the Bergen Line are canceled on Friday following the derailment.
On Friday morning, the derailed car was transported to Voss and the freight train was removed from the section.
Bane Nor cannot yet estimate an exact time for reopening but will provide a new update on Saturday at 12:00.
Post affected
Press chief at Posten, Kenneth Pettersen tells NRK that both packages and freight sent via Posten over the mountain will be delayed as a result of the derailment. People waiting for packages should expect a delay of one to two days.
There will be no delays with letters that need to go over the mountain.
– We transport a lot by the Bergen Line. We hope they can get this sorted as soon as possible, so we don’t have to have so many trucks on the road, says Pettersen.
-dateline-annotation”>Published
15.11.2024, at 10:52
Updated
15.11.2024, at 14:23
What impact did the recent derailment on the Bergen Line have on train services in Norway?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Harry Korslund, Press Officer at Bane Nor
Editor: Good day, everyone! Welcome to this special interview on Time.news. Today, we’re joined by Harry Korslund, Press Officer at Bane Nor, to discuss the recent derailment incident on the Bergen Line. Harry, thank you for being here.
Harry Korslund: Thank you for having me. It’s a challenging situation, and I appreciate the opportunity to share more details.
Editor: To begin with, can you give us a brief overview of what happened?
Harry Korslund: Certainly. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday morning, around 03:00, just before Voss. A freight train derailed, with two wheels coming off the tracks. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries, but it has resulted in significant disruptions to train services across the mountain.
Editor: That’s good to hear that no one was hurt. However, the closure of the Bergen Line sounds quite disruptive. How long do you anticipate the line will be out of service?
Harry Korslund: We have announced that the Bergen Line is likely to remain closed between Voss and Myrdal at least until Sunday, and possibly longer. We are currently assessing the damage, which involves more than just the tracks.
Editor: Speaking of which, what specific damages have been incurred due to the derailment?
Harry Korslund: The derailment has destroyed around three kilometers of track infrastructure, specifically the sleepers. We estimate that approximately 1,700 to 1,800 sleepers will need to be replaced, along with some rail fastenings and other associated equipment. This repair work will take significant time and resources.
Editor: It sounds like a considerable undertaking. What immediate measures are being taken to support passengers during this disruption?
Harry Korslund: We are doing everything we can to facilitate travel. The night train to Oslo had to turn back at Voss, and for those traveling towards Bergen, buses have been arranged from Ål to Voss. We’re currently struggling with the availability of buses and taxis, so we recommend that passengers consider alternative modes of transportation if possible.
Editor: That must be quite frustrating for travelers. Do you have any updates on how the repairs are progressing?
Harry Korslund: The team is actively working on assessing the full extent of the damage. Once we have a clearer picture, we can expedite the repairs. We’re in close communication with our engineering teams and are prioritizing safety above all, so we will keep the public informed throughout the process.
Editor: As we wrap up, Harry, what lessons do you think can be learned from this incident regarding railway safety and infrastructure maintenance?
Harry Korslund: Incidents like this serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and swift incident response. Our railway system needs constant monitoring to ensure safety and reliability. We’re committed to improving our strategies based on the findings from this situation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Editor: Thank you, Harry, for shedding light on this serious issue and for the work you and your team are doing to address it. We appreciate your time today.
Harry Korslund: It was my pleasure. Thank you for raising awareness about this important topic.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay safe out there, and we’ll keep you updated with any further developments. Until next time!