– When you see the train, it may be too late to save yourself

Less than 20 minutes ago

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– It’s life threatening. Modern trains are getting faster and quieter. They can pass Finse station at 70-80 kilometers per hour. When you see the train, it may be too late to save yourself, says Bjørn Løne.

He took the picture around New Year.

A couple of weeks ago he saw a similar case:

The man had crossed the railway line on skis, but the lady was hesitant. Instead, she walked along the railway line in the direction of the light-controlled transition. But walking along the railway line can be at least as dangerous, says Løne.

– Takes a big chance

Bjørn Løne is a snow coordinator in the company Spordrift AS and has spent a total of 26 winters at Finse station. The job of the snow coordinator is to monitor the weather, wind and avalanche danger, and coordinate the snow removal over the mountain to keep the railway open.

At Finse he has seen many dangerous situations.

– My impression is people who cross the railway line outside the marked crossing, even think they have full control. What they may not remember is that in addition to the passenger trains, five freight trains cross from each direction in the course of a day. Those who cross the railway line within the marked area take a big chance, says Løne.

– How should skiers behave when they want to cross the railway line?

– At Finse, it is important to use the level crossing west of Finse station. It is both light and sound regulated, says Løne.

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Not allowed

– But if you want to cross the railway line outside the station?

If you want to fit the train tracks, it must take place at a level crossing, or where there is a road above or below the railway. Crossings elsewhere pose a danger and are not allowed, says Løne.

During his many years at Finse, he has also witnessed accidents between trains and skiers.

In Bane Nor’s internal synergy reports, the following two near misses are described on the stretch east of Finse.

«Skier with sled crosses the track between Ustaoset and Haugastøl. The skier barely manages to get to safety, but the sled is taken off the train. Fortunately, the sledge contains only provisions. “

– Can not turn away

On the section between Ål and Haugastøl, the following near-accident is described:

“Train 601 was very close to running on a couple who were skiing in the track with their backs to the train. (…) The driver gave the signal «train coming» a number of times before the skiers became aware of the train and got off the track. The train was then so close to the skiers that the driver was sure that he would ride on them. When the train had stopped, the skiers had disappeared. The relationship strongly affected the driver. “

Bjørn Løne points out that the trains outside the station can run up to 160 kilometers per hour.

– And freight trains can come at any time, even outside the routes. It can take up to a kilometer to stop, and it can not turn away, says Løne.