Magical Norwegian Transportation System

Today we boarded the Oslo to Bergen train of the NSB, Norway’s National Rail System. It was over 30 minutes late (!) and explanations were vague. When our train arrived, it was some kind of “ghost train”, or maybe it was low Wednesday ridership, ‘cause NO ONE got off the train and all the cars were very clean. We boarded our car in Komfort class (more legroom and free coffee!) and EVERYTHING was really great!! We were feeling satisfied once again with NSB.

Then they announced that EVERYONE would be getting off at Gol, 207 meters above sea level and only about 1/3 of the way to our destination, and taken to either Geilo, Voss or Bergen – no additional charge. Now, the Oslo to Bergen train goes up over Hardanger Vidda at elevation above sea level way more then 207m. Sure enough, at Gol (that is a name that inspires some contemplation!!! Is it like Ghoul or Goalie or Goldilocks…or???) there were three modular transportation systems and helpful Norwegians with signs and pointing fingers that directed us to our respective transportation modules.

After transporting us for about two (2) hours the drivers stopped at a Norwegian Check Station of Vegvesen for 30 minutes, where we could use the sanitary facilities and purchase fluids and food.

Here is a picture of the modular transportation system. Yes, Sheila remains in good spirits and shows no external evidence of concern. Lars seems more aware of the strangeness of the situation.

We would like to report some objective information about relative performance of NSB trains and this Modular Transportation System (MTS): 1) Train was scheduled to arrive in Bergen at 14:59, and usually does within acceptably small deviations. 2) This MTS got us to Bergen just a few minutes short of 18:00. 3) Three(3) such MTS units were required to hold the same number of passengers as one much-less-than-full train. 4) Seats on these MTS units were much less comfortable and the onboard bathroom is VERY cramped. And there was no food or coffee, free or otherwise.

Some of this extra time can be accounted for by there being a small rock-fall just past Voss, which closed the E-16 for some time. A new plan was discussed, whereby we would all disembark the MTS and continue by train, but this proved unnecessary.

Today’s Aftenposten (www.aftenposten.no for those of you that read Norwegian Bokmål) reported that late Monday night or wee hours of Tuesday a freight train derailed, rendering the railroad over Hardanger Vidda impassable. Snow then drifted around the train, nearly up to the top of some freight cars, which seems to have  additionally delayed reopening the railroad. Late this afternoon, Wednesday, 11 February 2015, the track was reported ready to be reopened. We have seen nothing reported about how or why the freight train derailed. Reportedly no one was injured.

While we feel a bit victimized, the MTS did provide us with some really nice, deep-winter views along E16 high up on Hardanger Vidda,

…followed by tours through a bunch more of Norway’s neat tunnels. A nicer-than-standard hotel room, followed by a very nice dinner, medicated nearly all the remaining consequences.