The trains are running, but there may still be delays and adjustments until we’re in normal operation, Vy says on his website just before 6 on Monday morning.
Freezing rain caused many problems in Vestfoldbanen on Sunday. In the afternoon the trains were to run at reduced speed between Drammen and Skien.
Later in the evening, it was announced that the runway was closed for the remainder of the operating day between Drammen and Skien.
Britt press secretary Johanne Wang at Bane Nor said Sandefjord Blad Sunday that freezing rain on the pantograph (the triangle on the roof of the train that contacts the power line) meant that there was no contact for power.
The consequence was, among other things, that three trains were left with a power outage between Larvik and Skoppum and the passengers had to be evacuated and transported by bus and taxi.
Bus
Even from a train from Tønsberg to Oslo, passengers had to be transported by bus and taxi after the train experienced technical problems.
There were also delays on the Bergen line after a gearbox failure at Arna at 9.30pm on Christmas Day.
– All trains stop between Skien and Holmestrand. It’s a complete standoff, Kaja Rynning Moen, a press secretary at Vy, said Sunday evening.
As of now, trains are stuck at Skoppum, at Tønsberg and just before Sandefjord, all heading towards Oslo. It’s the weather that causes problems for the trains. Vy has problems connecting to the pantograph and power cord
– There are very tough conditions for running-in trains, says Rynning Moen.
He says Vy is now looking to provide alternative transportation for passengers. They have five buses carrying train passengers and now they are trying to get more cabs. She says passengers have to be patient.
– Today there are few means of transport, we use what we have and try to get more. This is a real bummer for anyone who travels, says Rynning Moen.
Waiting outside
A passenger TA has been talking to is stranded in Skoppum. He’s been there for an hour and expects to have to stand for another hour or two. He says that there is now a bus on site, but that there is no room for all the passengers. Also, he says the train will continue without passengers, so they’ll have to wait outside.
– It’s cold and raining, it’s not nice, he tells TA.
Waiting for a ride
Passengers in Tønsberg have been waiting for a while, a bus is arriving here too. The train located in Sandefjord left Skien on 19.09 and Rynning Moen has not yet had time to hear about it.
– We think it’s very unfortunate. It’s Christmas day and a boring day to be stuck. We’re doing everything we can, but passengers should expect it to take some time, says Rynning Moen.
Ensures trains don’t get cold while waiting. He asks those who can provide alternative transport themselves to take this into account, especially if they have to take something.
– If you have the opportunity to travel in other ways, do so. But of course we will provide transportation for everyone, she says.
Firefighters must evacuate
Mats Grimsæth boarded the train from Larvik at around 7.30pm. The train rumbled along the way and was told by the conductor that the ice was causing problems with the electricity. The train came to a complete stop a few minutes before Sandefjord station.
– Suddenly he stopped completely, says Mats, who has been sitting on the train for an hour and a half when Sai Baba talks to him.
– So far it’s going well. It’s quiet here and there’s light, but it’s a little cooler than usual.
Mats is going to Gardermoen. Right now he’s relieved the plane doesn’t leave until tomorrow morning.
– I bet I can, he laughs.
At around 9.10pm, Mats says firefighters are on site preparing to evacuate the train.
At 22.06 the first buses are on site to evacuate the passengers. There will be 110 passengers on the train. At 22.40 the evacuation was completed, without drama, reports Sør-Øst 110. They also report that the train will be removed at a later date.
Ice prevents the train from receiving electricity
Bane Nor publicist Britt Johanne Wang says freezing rain on the pantograph (the triangle on the roof of the train that is in contact with the power line) means there is no contact for power. The consequence is that there are now three trains with power outages between Larvik and Skoppum. Sandefjords Blad knows that one of them is stuck in the Sandefjord area.
– There are dramatic weather conditions between Larvik and Skoppum. Unfortunately, there’s nothing else we can do but wait for the weather, he tells SB.
Standing for four hours
The train from Tønsberg to Oslo was held up for an hour before departing, but then stopped again. An attempt to repair the fault failed and the passengers were told to take the next train. But it was also stuck due to bad weather, according to him VG.
The train was completely full, but someone arranged their own transport and it was picked up. A passenger on the train tells VG that she has been stranded for four hours.
– This is due to difficult weather conditions. We don’t know how long it will be before trains can resume normal operation, Vy says on her website.
