Locomotive driver Jørgen Evensen has driven trains on the Røros Line for over 20 years. He often sees and hears about accidents and near misses. – I have not run over anyone, but I have quite a few colleagues who have been exposed to unwanted incidents, he says. A LOT OF HORNING: Locomotive driver Jørgen Evensen honks in front of every unsecured level crossing, approximately every eight seconds between Hamar and Røros. Photo: Privat He thinks it goes without saying that the risk of accidents increases when more freight trains are to run on the Røros Railway. – Oh dear. Now there are freight trains of hundreds of tonnes arriving there, and it is quite clear that we cannot stop. It won’t work, says train driver Evensen. Increases the risk of accidents The Dovrebanen will be closed for a long time after a railway bridge at Ringebu was destroyed by the flood following the extreme weather “Hans”. In the meantime, many more freight trains than usual will run on the Rørosbanen. There are 345 level crossings on the entire Røros Line that are not secured with either barriers or light signals. WARNING: Bane Nor asks people to pay extra attention to unsecured level crossings when there is increased freight traffic on the Rørosbanen. Photo: Jenny Marie Sveen Bane Nor is now warning people who live along the railway line. – What we are worried about, and we really always are with unsafe level crossings, is that cars, tractors and people will be hit by the train, says track manager Sigbjørn Korsgård. Around two-thirds of accidents occur at unsecured level crossings, even though they are far less used than crossings with security. This is according to Pål Bruset, who is the project manager for attitude-creating work at Bane Nor. – We fear clashes when we have to increase freight transport during the period the Dovrebanen is closed. CONCERNED: Bane Nor’s project manager, Pål Buset, says many of the accidents at level crossings happen to those who are not secured. Photo: Bård Nafstad / news Honk almost once a minute Trains are required to honk before each and every unsecured level crossing, so that those going over can hear that the train is coming. There will be a lot of honking. – Level crossings are signposted 150 times just from Hamar to Røros within three and a half hours. So I give the signal “train is coming” once every eighty seconds on that trip, says locomotive driver Jørgen Evensen. He believes that honking is not a good way to warn people, now that many people have music in their ears and soundproof cabs on their tractors. – No one can hear us, but we are required to honk anyway, he says. Trains at other times than usual Line Nordli Løkken has grown up next to an unsecured level crossing at Ilseng in Stange. She is used to the trains and has never been afraid. – It is fine. Don’t think too much about it. NEIGHBOR: Line Nordli Løkken has grown up with the train line as its nearest neighbour, and crosses the unsecured level crossing daily. Photo: Jenny Marie Sveen But she looks after herself well. And now that there will be far more trains on the route, it is important that those who use the crossings daily do not trust that they know when the trains will arrive. – I always look to each side, both once and twice. Now I want to be extra careful, because then the trains may run at different times than what we are used to, she says. Do as the sign says Bane Nor asks people who live along the Rørosbanen, and who often drive over the unsecured level crossings, to be very attentive. It is extremely important that people do what it says on the sign, says track manager Sigbjørn Korsgård. SIGN: Always do as it says on the sign, says Bane Nor. They fear more accidents when more freight trains will run on the Røros Railway. Photo: Jenny Marie Sveen – You must stop before the sign. Look for the train. And hear if a train is coming. The train always honks when it approaches the crossing, says Korsgård. So if you drive a tractor and have hearing protection on, you must take them off. If you are listening to music, please turn the music off. The most dangerous transitions first Project manager in Bane Nor, Pål Buset, says they do not know how long the Dovrebanen will be closed. They want to get rid of all unsecured level crossings, but it takes time. Funds are allocated each year for securing and renovating level crossings, as well as flood and avalanche protection. But the size of the grants has varied, says Buset. – Early estimates show that billions of dollars are needed to close all the unsecured level crossings on the Rørosbanen, he says.
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Bane Nor worried about more freight trains over unsecured level crossings on the Røros railway – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
