Onrail will operate one of its freight trains on the Bergen Line with digital automatic coupling (DAC) in 2027–2028, according to information and in cooperation with Jernbanedirektoratet.
The Bergen Line operation forms part of Norway’s contribution to the European rollout of DAC technology. The system enables automatic mechanical coupling of freight wagons and allows the transmission of electricity and data throughout the train.
The Norwegian activities are linked to the DAC Pioneer Trains (PioDAC) project, which will test DAC equipment in seven commercial freight operations across eight European countries during the pre-deployment phase between technical validation and broader market introduction.
In parallel, winter testing of DAC couplers is taking place in Norway under the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking project FP5Trans4m-r. CargoNet is conducting these trials with Trafikverket and other international partners to verify mechanical, electrical and data connections in low temperatures and mountain conditions.
Onrail has taken responsibility for validating the technology under Norwegian operating conditions, focusing on performance in cold climate and mixed-traffic infrastructure.
