Around 2,000 train passengers were stranded in Southern Norway on Monday after a power failure left trains standing still on the line now operated by the UK-based firm Go Ahead. It apologized for the disruption that dragged on for around 14 hours.
The trouble began around 2am with the first reports of technical problems on the line between Gjerstad and Nelaug in Aust-Agder, northeast of Kristiansand. A cargo train snagged an overhead power line, according to Go Ahead, which was experiencing its first major disruption since taking over the line in mid-December.
That brought all trains to a halt on the line between Oslo and Kristiansand that for years was known as Sørlandsbanen but which Go Ahead now calls Sørtoget. It didn’t take long for the train station in Kristiansand to wind up packed with stranded passengers, who also complained about a lack of information from Go Ahead.
They ended up being offered bus transport between Kristiansand and Gjerstad, while Go Ahead apologized for the delays and longer travel time. The power line was expected to be repaired and trains back in service by mid-afternoon.
newsinenglish.no staff
