The first long-distance train from Stadler will not enter service in 2027 as initially planned, but has been rescheduled for 2028, Norske Tog, Norway’s rolling stock leasing company, has announced.
The delay is due to a flood from the Rhone River at Constellium – in Switzerland, which is a subcontractor to train manufacturer Stadler. Constellium develops and manufactures aluminium products and solutions. In July 2024, the company announced that its facilities in Sierre and Chippis in Switzerland were impacted by exceptional flooding from the Rhone River when all operations have been suspended.
In addition, the delay is due to certain challenges with the design of the new trains. “Stadler and Constellium are doing everything they can to make up for the delays caused by the flood damage,” Norske Tog says.
Stadler uses several subcontractors in train roduction, including Constellium, which supplies the aluminum profiles for the train’s car body. Their factory in Sierre has experienced major flooding in summer. The aluminum profiles that were produced and stored at the Sierre plant were damaged by mud and water, with the consequence that they can no longer be used on the trains and new ones must be produced. The production of aluminum profiles has now been moved to another factory.
In March, with the Swiss train manufacturer Stadler and Norske Tog signed a contract for the supply of 17 eight-car Flirt Nordic Express trains to replace the old rolling stock operating the Bergen Line. The contract also includes options for up to 100 new trains.
The one-year delay for the first long-distance train should not affect the timely delivery of the entire fleet of 17 trains, as outlined in the contract signed with Stadler.
“Norske Tog is working closely with Stadler to ensure the best possible progress on the project, given the challenges that have arisen. This is a complex project, and we are working systematically to avoid further delays,” said Sille Svenkerud Førner, the project manager for long-distance train procurement at Norske Tog.
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