June 2003 - Norway

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Thumbnail Description
Day 1 - 29th May 2003
After flying Stanstead - Torp the day before we walk the short distance from our hotel in Oslo to Sentral station for the outward leg of the tour to Andalsnes.

Our transport of delight awaited us in the form of Di3 616 at platform 19.

After a good run to Hamar, the Di3 went for a drink and we had a look at a couple of GM-Gruppen's other locos - MX1040 and MY1104 from Denmark.

We returned to the train and awaited the loco, meanwhile traffic through Hamar continued around us.

Then the Di3 returned to take us on to Andalsnes.

Whilst waiting to get onto the branch at Dombas, some of Norway's newer offerings were seen.

But on reflection I prefer the old stuff !

A pause at Bjorli to let more plastic pass us.

Before arriving at our destination - Andalsnes.

Where we found a Speno train lurking in the sidings.

Day 2 - 30th May 2003
Overslept and missed the morning bus trip up Trollstigen but managed to make the visit to the shed at Andalsnes in the afternoon.

Having missed the bus trip I took the opportunity for a couple more pictures of the Nohab.

Including some detail shots.

Grabbed a shot of a Di8 when one appeared (good job - I didn't see another).

Then the afternoon visit to see how the restoration work on Di3 602 was progressing.

She looks a bit sorry at the moment but it looks like most of the major bodywork alterations are now done to return 602 to original condition, such as unsealing the nose end door and two of the cab doors.

The electrical cubicle looks fine

And the familiar GM-567 unit is in place, although it's not connected to anything as another power unit is due to be installed prior to 602's return to traffic.

Day 3 - 31st May 2003
After a couple of days where the weather was patchy and the cloud occasionally very low, the Saturday dawned brilliantly - goods news as this was the day of the photographic trip to Bjorli.

Andalsnes station, with a lovely backdrop.

Heading away from Andalsnes up the Rauma valley.

On a bridge over a waterfall - just don't ask me where !

Kylling bridge is one of the most used photographic locations on the line.

And Stuguflaten bridge looks pretty neat too.

I believe this is somewhere near Brude.

And this is Bjorli station, a fine set of pictures thanks to some local knowledge and a lot of help from the traincrew.

Day 4 - 1st June 2003
Is it really June already?? Oh well, back to Oslo on a tight schedule that didn't allow for any photo stops.

14 2165 was passed at Dombas.

And we passed 18 2254 at Hamar.

Before heading south past the roundhouse we had visited on Thursday.

And finally returning to Oslo at the end of a great weekend.

All in all that was one of the most enjoyable long weekends I've had in years. GM-Gruppen made us all very welcome at all stages of the trip, and were helpful and informative hosts throughout. My thanks to you all, and also to Stewart who set up the trip in the first place.

Thumbnail	Description
Day 1 - 29th May 2003	After flying Stanstead - Torp the day before we walk the short distance from our hotel in Oslo to Sentral station for the outward leg of the tour to Andalsnes.
	Our transport of delight awaited us in the form of Di3 616 at platform 19.
	After a good run to Hamar, the Di3 went for a drink and we had a look at a couple of GM-Gruppen's other locos - MX1040 and MY1104 from Denmark.
	We returned to the train and awaited the loco, meanwhile traffic through Hamar continued around us.
	Then the Di3 returned to take us on to Andalsnes.
	Whilst waiting to get onto the branch at Dombas, some of Norway's newer offerings were seen.
	But on reflection I prefer the old stuff !
	A pause at Bjorli to let more plastic pass us.
	Before arriving at our destination - Andalsnes.
	Where we found a Speno train lurking in the sidings.
Day 2 - 30th May 2003	Overslept and missed the morning bus trip up Trollstigen but managed to make the visit to the shed at Andalsnes in the afternoon.
	Having missed the bus trip I took the opportunity for a couple more pictures of the Nohab.
	Including some detail shots.
	Grabbed a shot of a Di8 when one appeared (good job - I didn't see another).
	Then the afternoon visit to see how the restoration work on Di3 602 was progressing.
	She looks a bit sorry at the moment but it looks like most of the major bodywork alterations are now done to return 602 to original condition, such as unsealing the nose end door and two of the cab doors.
	The electrical cubicle looks fine
	And the familiar GM-567 unit is in place, although it's not connected to anything as another power unit is due to be installed prior to 602's return to traffic.
Day 3 - 31st May 2003	After a couple of days where the weather was patchy and the cloud occasionally very low, the Saturday dawned brilliantly - goods news as this was the day of the photographic trip to Bjorli.
	Andalsnes station, with a lovely backdrop.
	Heading away from Andalsnes up the Rauma valley.
	On a bridge over a waterfall - just don't ask me where !
	Kylling bridge is one of the most used photographic locations on the line.
	And Stuguflaten bridge looks pretty neat too.
	I believe this is somewhere near Brude.
	And this is Bjorli station, a fine set of pictures thanks to some local knowledge and a lot of help from the traincrew.
Day 4 - 1st June 2003	Is it really June already?? Oh well, back to Oslo on a tight schedule that didn't allow for any photo stops.
	14 2165 was passed at Dombas.
	And we passed 18 2254 at Hamar.
	Before heading south past the roundhouse we had visited on Thursday.
	And finally returning to Oslo at the end of a great weekend.
All in all that was one of the most enjoyable long weekends I've had in years. GM-Gruppen made us all very welcome at all stages of the trip, and were helpful and informative hosts throughout. My thanks to you all, and also to Stewart who set up the trip in the first place.

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