After getting home at 07:30 this morning much of my day has been spent catching up on some sleep! A shame in some ways as the weather’s been glorious for a change. Ah well…
The rest of my time has been spent glued to a computer in order to continue the marathon task of editing pictures. I’ve still got a queue of images from my Asia trip to sort out, but today I decided to focus on the pictures from Norway in order to establish a new gallery on my Zenfolio website. You can find that new gallery here. There’s many more pictures to add to it yet. Hopefully they’ll appear over the next few days as I’m going to be home-based for a while yet.
Here’s a couple of shots as a teaser.
A type SL95 tram by Central station. These bidirectional, eight-axle articulated vehicles built by Italian company Ansaldo are unique to Oslo. 32 were supplied between 1998-2004. They’re being replaced by newer vehicles built by CAF. A Stadler built Class 75 EMU at Jaren, on the first line in Norway to be controlled by ERTMS. One of the CAF built ‘Oaris’ EMUs. These units have had a troubled history. Eight of these 245kph trains were ordered in March 2015 at a cost of 115 million Euros. Expected to enter service in 2018 they were delayed until 2021. 19 days after entering service cracks were found in the bogie bolster leading to the units withdrawal. They were due to return to service in January 2023 but are still experiencing problems. Only two were in traffic during my visit, including this one, 78003 which is missing its nose cone doors at one end. As an aside, it was the Oaris platform that CAF offered in its (unsuccessful) tender for HS2!
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Remember yesterday when I said it might be touch and go making the last train to Halifax from Manchester Airport? Well, it was less touch and even less go…
My plane was late leaving Amsterdam Schipol, which didn’t really help. The flight itself was fine. The crew were good, we were given nibbles (and wine) without being charged for them and I was quietly optimistic that I’d make my connection. Then we landed at Manchester.
For some reason, KLM didn’t get an air-bridge, we were stuck out on the tarmac and bussed into the terminal, which ate into precious minutes. Then things turned into a farce. We couldn’t get off the buses and into the terminal because ‘the man with the key’ had disappeared! An aged member of ground staff took strange delight in telling us this. No apology, no appreciating the fact it was going to fcuk people’s connections, he treated it as a joke. As for the man with the key – you have one job…
When we finally got into the building I saw a sign that told me I was exactly 497 meters away from Immigration. Oh, joy – another half-click to walk before I get anywhere. By this time I’d given up all hope of catching the train so I texted Dawn accordingly. To be fair, the passport scanning gates worked well and my suitcase was waiting for me on the carousel, but it was all a bit late after the earlier farces.
So, plan B…
Yep, I’m still at the airport. I could have got a later train but that would deposit me in Halifax in the early hours and disturb Dawn as I’d arrive home around 2am. Instead, I’ve opted to stay at the airport, make the most of the wifi and start the marathon task of picture editing before catching a train around 04:00. A service that time of day will see me come in the front door of the cottage just as Dawn’s waking up. Besides, after the past month’s travelling my body-clock’s all over the place anyway – and this is hardly my first airport experience.
Whilst I’m here I’ve time to add a few more pictures to the blog, starting with this – my train to Oslo airport.
There’s one song that reflections my generation and its experiences. It’s neatly summed up in this picture taken at the airport. It’s a Beatles song that I just can’t stop humming on this trip. ‘Norwegian wood‘.
I swear to God, tomorrow I am going nowhere. There’s plenty to keep me occupied with at home. Plus, it’s a chance to detox after so much hospitality. That said, I’ve really enjoyed all the fish you get at breakfast.
It’s silly o’ clock, so time to head to the railway station via the 5th dimension
Select the sci-fi music of your choice…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
The group have breakfasted and checked out of the (rather nice) hotel, now we’re gathering ready to head out on our rail trip to explore the first Norwegian railway line to be equipped with digital signalling. Apparently, we’ll have our own reserved coach on the train and lunch will be served in it on the return trip! (spoiled, us?) We’ll get back into Oslo later this afternoon when I’ll have a couple of hours to myself as my flight back via Schipol doesn’t leave until 18:55.
Last night’s meal at the Munch museum was both entertaining and educational. I never realised that Munch painted several versions of ‘the scream’ or that he painted them on cardboard, which makes conservation all the more difficult. I really need to come back when the museum’s open to the public and have a mooch.
I’ll try and blog through the day, although that may be erratic as there’s a lot to see and do…
18:00 (Norway time).
Sorry, trying to blog through the day was a complete non-starter due to the fact we were on the move all day – and busy. Now I’m at Oslo airport waiting for my flight to Manchester (via Schipol) so I’ve time to try and flesh the day out a bit. First up – here’s a few pictures…
Here’s the lovely old station building at Jaren (it dates from 1900) which we visited. It’s an important point on the first line equipped with digital signalling. We got to see the new kit – and the old…Here’s how the line was controlled. This signalling panel is still in situ in the station building, although not for much longer. The old relay room in the station building. This equipment dates from the mid 1950s. It’s redundant now, but many other Norwegian rail routes are still controlled his way. You can imagine the issues with getting spares and finding people with the knowledge to maintain this old kit. One of the Stadler sets that work the line, this one was waiting for our Southbound service to pass. Back in Oslo I had a couple of hours to kill before heading to the airport which gave me time to get some shots around the station and in the city. Here’s an international train bound for Stockholm, worked by a Swedish locomotive and stock.
Our little trip gave us the opportunity to see some of the Norwegian countryside, which looked stunning as most of it was coated in a thick layer of snow. we skirted several frozen lakes and small towns along with isolated wooden bungalows and farmstead, some of which looked stunning. The only thing that was in short supply was wildlife. We had several Ban Nore and Siemens staff with us whom we we could ask technical questions of. One chap told us to watch out for Elk along the route, then he observed that when the snow’s really heavy, the Elk tend to use the railway as a trail! I wouldn’t fancy meeting one head-on!
I’ll blog in far greater detail about the trip when I’m home and have all the pictures edited. Right now my main focus is getting home!
18:50.
We’ve boarded the plane and will be on our way shortly. I’ve really enjoyed this short trip to the ancestral home. I can see me coming back to explore more soon. Whilst the Bigland family roots are to the South-West of Oslo, I’d also like to have a look up in the far North of Norway. The railway line to Narvik (via Sweden) sounds beautiful.
But for now, the main thing is to return home and start sorting out the 1000s of pictures I’ve taken over the past month – and sort out work for the future. I think my wings may have to be clipped for a little while. Plus, we’re only a few weeks away from the Community RAIL awards in Newcastle – so I need to have the decks cleared for that.
I’m writing this mid-air, although it won’t get posted until I land. The KLM flight from Oslo is less than half-full – even tho’ it’s the smaller booked plane (an Emberauer E195). Curiously, we’re being charged for drinks and nibbles whilst on the outward flight with KLM, they were free. What’s that all about?
On the bright side, this 90 minute flight should be on time, and I can make a rapid exit in order to make my 50-minute connection back yo the UK. That’s when the fun may start. I’ll have 45 mins from landing to make the last train back to Halifax…
21:10 (Netherlands time).
Another dash through the massive Schipol airport has got me to gate D57 with time to spare. Looking at the crowds here, I suspect this plane’s going to be anything but empty.
21:50.
We’ve boarded, but it’s a full flight, and we’re late. This could get interesting. Just to keep the Manchester vibe alive, it’s pissing down here at Schipol!
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Our event has kicked off at Bane Nor’s Campus Nyland, just outside Oslo.
One of the reasons for the event is today the two companies are celebrating the first 100 days of operating a digital railway, the Gjøvik line. Here’s why Norwegian railways are investing in digitalization.
Here are the implications and impacts.
17:00.
The presentations and tour have been fascinating. I can’t cover it all right now but I will add more detail at the end of the trip. Bane Nor have 5000 staff to train on the new digital systems so they’ve built this bespoke training centre in which to do it, protected from the elements.
Whilst we were at the centre we were given a world first. Bane Nor and Siemens have developed a system for inspecting switches. Currently, this work is done manually. It takes one person six hours to inspect a simple set of points, taking measurements manually, then writing them down before they can be recorded digitally. There’s significant room for error. Now they’ve developed a lightweight machine which can do the same job in less than one hour. Meet ‘Railchap’.
It’s a nippy little thing that can take all the measurements previously done manually in just two passes. When you have 3,000 sets of switches that need to be inspected twice a year, that’s a considerable saving.
Now we’re back at the hotel, having time to smarten up before going out for dinner. Tomorrow we take a trip on the 67 km Gjøvik line – the first to have digital signalling installed.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
After spending over a month in 35 degree plus heat and humidity I’m swopping the tropics for a short trip to Scandinavia. Having spent some of the morning reliving my time in Malaysia through editing pictures (you can find the results here) it’s time to leave Halifax and the Pennines behind and head off to Manchester Airport once more. I’ll blog throughout the trip, so feel free to pop back and see how it goes…
13:05.
I’m on way! Dawn kindly dropped me off at Sowerby Bridge station, where I caught the 13:02 bound for Salford Crescent.
I’ve not done this for a while!
As you can see from the picture, it’s a lovely (almost spring-like) day for travelling. Far better than the gloomy conditions I arrived home in.
14:40.
I had a 30 minute interlude between trains at Salford Crescent, a station that’ll soon gain an extra platform to take pressure of the island structure that was provided when it was first built. It’s not difficult to see why it’s needed. There’s an intensive service through the station nowadays. Plus, it’s an important destination in its own right due to the changing nature of the area. There’s also a lot of people like me changing trains to access Manchester Airport services.
16:10.
And relax. I’m at the airport after a trouble-free journey. Getting through security and all the other airport gubbins was easy as the place is really quiet today. Now I’m killing time before my flight departs. I’ve already had a text from KLM to say it’s delayed. Fortunately, the delay is only 10 mins (at the moment, anyway) but I have less than an hour at Schipol where I change planes, so I hope it doesn’t get any worse.
My steed from Salford Crescent to the Airport.
16:50.
I have to admit that Manchester Airport has got better over the years. Even so, neither this nor any other airport would be my choice of transport, but it’s not always down to me to make that decision. Here’s my next conveyance.
17:20.
That was interesting. We have a nearly full 737-800 and the crew have been desperate to get people to stash coats and small bags underneath the seats in front of them ‘cos people are bringing too many big bags on board which will only fit in the overhead racks! This has caused further delays as stuff has had to be redistributed!
Despite that and my now lack of legroom, the flight’s not been bad. We flew out of Manchester just as the sun was setting, the passed over rugged Derbyshire before heading slightly South to cross the Wash and skirt Cromer before crossing over into Europe. Another interesting thing about the flight is that the majority of the cabin crew are late middle-aged. I’ve no idea why. KLM isn’t a budget airline either. You get free nibbles and a drink. Not bad on such a short flight.
20:25 (Netherlands time).
I’d forgotten just how big Schipol airport is! It’s massive. When we landed we seemed to taxi for a good 20 mins (at a lick too) before we got to an air-bridge. Getting from there to my departure gate took ages. There was no time to stop off anywhere even if I wanted to. I made it to gate D71 five minutes before we started boarding. This is another full flight that seems to have been upgraded from the Emberauer I was expecting to another 737-800. Still, all that matters is that I’m on – and I have a window seat (not that I’ll be seeing much this time of night).
Passing through Schipol has brought back lots of memories of Amsterdam, a city I’ve not revisited for far too long. There’s lots of stories I could tell, going back to 1981 when I first came over with the intention of staying. My girlfriend at the time and I joined a group of friends who were squatting here. Sadly, it didn’t work out (Barbara didn’t take to things), and we split up on our return, but that was the start of my long relationship with the city which I’ve enjoyed with various friends and partners over the years – or just on my own. Now I’m just passing through, but I have a hankering to return. Perhaps a long weekend in the summer?
Right now, it’s time to explore pastures new and the ancestral homeland as the Biglands originated from Norway many centuries ago…
Homeward bound?
Shame it’s only a flying visit and I won’t have chance to visit the relatives, or the town of Bygland or Byglands fjord.
23:00.
Oslo airport is pretty quiet this time of night, and I entered the Schengen area in Schipol there was no more immigration ho-hah to pass through (don’t get me started on the Brexit shambles). Now I’m on the airport express train into central Oslo. Cool looking, aren’t they?
00:15. (Norwegian time).
Dunno why, but I was surprised to see just how much snow was on the ground as the train made its way from the airport to central Oslo. Maybe I’d been lulled into a false sense of security by the temperatures on the weather forecast. It’s not a problem, and central Oslo has been cleared of most of it. My hotel is right outside the station which is ideal for going for a wander tomorrow morning before i meet up with colleagues from Siemens and the UK. Right now it’s time to turn in as we’re going to have a busy day tomorrow. In the meantime, here’s a couple more pictures from the trip.
The airport Express pauses at Oslo Central. Euston station, eat your heart out!
I may be in Norway, but the first sign I saw when I left the station building made me feel right at home!
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Paul Bigland 