This winter, the Norwegian National Rail Administration will continue its major initiative for winter preparedness. Following the winter problems experienced two years ago, extensive measures were put in place ahead of last winter to improve the state of readiness.
Before the winter of 2010-2011, a significant amount of new snow-clearing equipment was acquired, coupled to a substantial escalation of manpower and planning. The total budget for winter preparedness last year was around NOK 70 million. – Throughout the year, the track itself was also subject to a number of well-advertised measures, which means we are better equipped to tackle winter conditions in the coming years, says Karstein Søreide, Deputy Director General. The most significant contribution is the major systems upgrade being carried out in the Oslo area. This includes an improved and more powerful points heating system. In addition, many ground frost prevention measures have been carried out this year. Winter preparedness in the Norwegian National Rail Administration is now at a completely different level than in previous years.
Snow clearance
Following snowfall, clearance of snow from points and tracks is the main priority. Railway points are the most vital components and important points systems in the Oslo area must work at all times in order for trains to run smoothly. Thus, these points systems are prioritised first and are kept running by track-borne machinery fitted with snow brushes. At certain locations, manual routines are employed to remove lumps of ice that are known to fall from trains into points systems. Ice in the points may result in them not setting in the correct position. On main lines, a track cleaner is run, which clears the snow to the contours of the train.
Stage two of the snow clearance operation is to remove the edges that quickly accumulate along the track following heavy snowfall. The Norwegian National Rail Administration has acquired three large new track-borne railway maintenance vehicles equipped with twin rotary snow ploughs at the front. These snow ploughs may be swung out on either side of the track, hurling snow from the snowbanks away from the track. This allows space for more snow, and less drifting snow accumulates on the track.
Clearing snow from platforms, access roads and car parks is also the responsibility of the Norwegian National Rail Administration. Generally, these assignments are put out to tender and carried out by external contractors.
