[ Article reposted from misc.transport.rail.europe ]
[ Author was Haulpack ]
[ Posted on 7 Apr 1998 22:16:12 GMT ]
Australian Bulk Minerals will use the former Iron-ore railway
Kirkenes-Bjornevatn for future mining operations in Sor-Varanger northern
Norway. The 8km line was built in 1910 by A/S Sydvaranger for transport of
raw iron ore from the open cast mines in Bjornevatn to the processing
plants and harbour at Kirkenes. Sydvaranger shut down itīs mines and
railway 12 months ago.
The railway is standard gauge with 49kg/m rails and concrete ties. It was
operated by 3 diesels and 22 60t. ore waggons+ 1 rebulit ore waggon that
served as a conductur waggon at the rear end of the trains (push-pull
traffic).
It`s for the moment unknown if ABM will use the old equipment, but all is
still in place so itīs a fair chance that they will use it. Anyway some new
investments have to be done in the near future since the two oldest GM
diesel-electrics is from 1954 and 1956. The third locomotive is a MaK
diesel-hydraulic from 1993. An ASEA T-45 diesel-electric from 1971 is also
in Kirkenes and was bought used from Sweden, but has not been used for
several years.
ABM will later this year take a final decision if they will start mining
again.
Orjan Jerijervi