For the third year in a row the Norwegian railway reached its punctuality goal of 90%. Trains were pretty much running punctually despite the menace of snow and ice. This is an achievement that requires both science and manpower.
On 15 November, the winter preparedness programme on the Norwegian railway is rolled out. Many measures are implemented. New snow clearing equipment, recently acquired, is set to work, clearing personnel hired, switches and drainage are improved and the traffic controllers have their dedicated snow clearing coordinators on duty. The Greater Oslo area is a priority. 70% of Norway’s train traffic runs in this region, consisting mainly of daily commuters travelling to and from work. Regardless of weather conditions, commuters expect trains to run punctually.
Many measures, better winters
The Scandinavian winter of 2009/2010 was harsh. As a result, the number of delays in 2010 was higher than in previous years. Switches, rolling stock and stations were heavily affected by snow and ice. Commuters turned sour and the press had the railway under fire. Measures had to be taken to avoid any recurrence for coming winters. Analyses were done and significant measures were taken by both Jernbaneverket and the train companies. Both manpower and technology were issued. Result: Even though the following winter of 2010/2011 was equally cold with heavy snowfall, train traffic fared much better.
“We increased our winter preparedness. With more staff, better machinery and equipment we were better prepared for heavy snowfall and severe cold. Regular train services were resumed much quicker”, says Mr Guttorm Moss, Permanent Way Superintendent for the Greater Oslo Region. He went on to say: “The 2010 renewal work in the Oslo Tunnel and at Skøyen and Oslo Central Station paid off as well. “Action cards” for traffic management on how to deal with certain situations, if they were to occur, were improved. The result of all measures combined is a more robust infrastructure with fewer faults. The effects of the upgrades were noticeable during both summer and winter”.
Increased contingency
When water collects along the track, a signal system stops working, the overhead line is pulled down or a flimsy switch fails to assume the intended position, Jernbaneverket employees are on duty 24/7, ready to be called out. In total Jernbaneverket has 1,500 employees in a contingency rota across the country’s 4000 km railway.
They are usually on their toes during winter and carry out other work when things are all running smoothly. Traffic controls are manned with designated snow clearing coordinators – making sure snow and ice is attended to where and when it is most needed.
Train companies are responsible for their rolling stock. Much effort was put into protecting vulnerable parts from cold and snow. Defrosting stations were set up to routinely remove built up ice and snow, which otherwise would be cluttering onto the lower parts of rolling stock causing malfunctions on trains and risk of lumps falling on the tracks.
High expectations
“Heavy snowfalls will cause problems”, says Mr Guttorm Moss. “There is no way around that fact, but our aim is to minimise these as far as possible and use less time to normalise the situation. There is a clear expectation in Norway that even though passengers can barely get to the stations and every other means of transport is at stand-still, the train service should operate as normal. It is important to harmonise the expectations of train operators and the public with what can actually be delivered during severe conditions. Expectations are high, which also goes to show that we are succeeding. Trains also run fairly well during winter time.
(Source: Jernbaneverket)
