Arctic bound Di3 no. 3 616 at Trondheim. 1986.
Having started venturing abroad in 1985 as UK loco haulage dwindled an early tick on the railway "must do" list was to travel by train north of the Arctic Circle. An added bonus was the line being worked by the classic Nohab built class Di3's fitted with the GM 16-567C engines. They really looked the business with the dome nose and barred windows for the journey across the Acrtic tundra to Bodø. The Norlandsbanen (North Lands Line) starts properly at the junction station of Hell where the line to the Swedish border at Storlien branches off inland. From Hell to Bodø is a spectacular 697km line across the wilderness where Northern Europe meets the Arctic. Work started on the route in 1902 but Bodø wasn't reached by rail until November 1961 with the line opening in stages during the intervening years. It has some impressive statistics with 34 river bridges and 154 tunnels. The highest point on the line is the summit at Stødi 8kms north of the Arctic circle where the altitude is 680m.
Di3 no.3 616 is seen waiting to depart Trondheim with train 451 the 08.15 to Bodø. This service being one of three a day back then covering the entire 729km route in 11hrs 10mins.
Arctic bound Di3 no. 3 616 at Trondheim. 1986.
Having started venturing abroad in 1985 as UK loco haulage dwindled an early tick on the railway "must do" list was to travel by train north of the Arctic Circle. An added bonus was the line being worked by the classic Nohab built class Di3's fitted with the GM 16-567C engines. They really looked the business with the dome nose and barred windows for the journey across the Acrtic tundra to Bodø. The Norlandsbanen (North Lands Line) starts properly at the junction station of Hell where the line to the Swedish border at Storlien branches off inland. From Hell to Bodø is a spectacular 697km line across the wilderness where Northern Europe meets the Arctic. Work started on the route in 1902 but Bodø wasn't reached by rail until November 1961 with the line opening in stages during the intervening years. It has some impressive statistics with 34 river bridges and 154 tunnels. The highest point on the line is the summit at Stødi 8kms north of the Arctic circle where the altitude is 680m.
Di3 no.3 616 is seen waiting to depart Trondheim with train 451 the 08.15 to Bodø. This service being one of three a day back then covering the entire 729km route in 11hrs 10mins.