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The iconic Norland railway line crossing Norway on a north-south axis and connecting Trondheim with Bodø will be the first critical route of the country to be upgraded with electrification and battery locomotive operations. The route is vital for heavy haul traffic and freight operations. The Røros and Solør lines will follow the same course, while the Rauma line will keep accommodating only diesel locomotives for the time being.
The Røros line between Støren and Hamar accommodates passenger traffic but also heavy freight trains hauling mostly forestry products. On the other hand, the Solør line, running between Kongsvinger and Elverum in Norway’s east, is solely used by freight trains primarily transporting slumber and wood chippings.
A study by the Norwegian Directorate of Railways on behalf of the country’s Ministry of Transport found that the three routes that still operate with diesel traction should be upgraded following a partial electrification and battery locomotive operation plan. The study examined three different concepts for the green transition of the routes. One focused on hydrogen-powered traction, one on using non-fossil diesel, one on electrification and one on deploying battery-powered traction.
Ultimately, it was determined that a combination of electrification and battery trains would be the way to go. In this approach, trains will be able to move partially using power from the catenary system. Where a catenary system is unavailable, they will keep moving using energy from their batteries that will also charge during transit on electrified railway sections. Read more
Source: RAILFREIGHT.COM
