All train traffic through Oslo’s busy central station (Oslo S) ground to a halt Sunday afternoon because of a grounding problem in the station’s electrical system. The disruption delayed thousands of passengers traveling during the Christmas holiday rush.
Traffic stood still for around a half-hour before service could begin to get back on track, according to officials at Jernbaneverket, the state railroad agency in charge of rail infrastructure.
“Such electrical problems can take a long time to locate, but are relatively simple to repair,” Dag Svinsås, spokesman for Jernbaneverket, told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK). “Luckily our crews found the problem quickly.”
December 23, known as lille julaften (Little Christmas Eve), is one of the busiest travel days of the year in Norway and motorists also faced delays because of a winter storm in the mountains. “We were able to resume ordinary traffic quite quickly,” Svinsås said. He said some delays could be expected , “but we hope to make up for it throughout the day.”
newsinenglish.no staff
