The incident, which occurred between Vegårshei and Skorstøl on the evening of Monday, 20 May, has led to substantial damage across an 11.5-kilometre stretch of track.
The derailment was attributed to a broken axle on one of the train’s locomotives, resulting in the damage of approximately 18,000 sleepers. By Sunday, 26 May, crews had replaced around 7,500 sleepers, but the task of repairing the remaining sleepers and adjusting the track alignment continues.
Bane NOR, the organization responsible for the railway infrastructure, has mobilized a dedicated project team to manage the repairs. This team includes both in-house personnel and external contractors from Banefjell AS. The recovery efforts are focused on ensuring the stability and safety of the rail line before it reopens to traffic.
The removal of the derailed locomotive and wagons was completed on the night of Wednesday, 22 May. Currently, new sleepers are being transported from a factory in Hønefoss and a warehouse in Kristiansand, with intermediate storage established at Bjorvatn for efficient distribution to the damaged areas.
Bane NOR emphasizes that safety remains the top priority, and services will only resume when the repairs meet all safety standards. Meanwhile, Go-Ahead has arranged for bus services between Kristiansand and Gjerstad to accommodate passengers. Train services between Stavanger and Kristiansand, as well as Gjerstad and Oslo S, continue to operate, though delays are possible.
The full scope of the repairs underscores the complexity of maintaining railway infrastructure and the challenges posed by unexpected incidents. The collaborative effort aims to restore normal operations on the Sørlandsbanen line as promptly and safely as possible.
