No trains will be running on Monday between Oslo and Bergen because of weather forecasts Sunday that were nothing less than treacherous. State meteorologists predicted shifting temperatures and rain that threatened to cause all kinds of problems for the train line known as Bergensbanen.
“We think it’s too risky,” Siv Egger Westin of train operator Vy told newspaper VG late Sunday afternoon. Weather warnings initially led to just the cancellation of Sunday’s overnight route on the line that crosses the mountains of southern Norway. Shortly thereafter Vy officials decided to simply shut down the entire line on Monday.
Rail officials are worried about ice on the rails and especially avalanches, after weeks of heavy snow that’s suddenly starting to melt. Stormy weather all over Southern Norway on Sunday also included strong winds that raise the avalanche threat.
Westin said a new evaluation would be made Monday morning regarding when the important train line will reopen. Most other train service was still scheduled to run in Southern Nroway on Monday, but meteorologists were also warning of sleet, rain and possible flooding, along with very slick roads and rails.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
