Mon, Feb 5th 2024
Freight Train Fault Clears, Rail Service Restored. Olten-Bern Line Back on Track After Morning Disruption. SBB Overcomes Technical Hurdles, Ensures Smooth Commute.
A blocked freight train disrupted rail traffic on the Olten-Bern line on Monday morning. Shortly after 9 a.m., the SBB rescue and fire-fighting train had towed the freight train away and the line could be used normally again.
The freight train blocked the line from 5.30 am. The freight train of the German rail freight company DB Cargo got stuck on the Bahn 2000 line between Rothrist AG and the Wanzwil BE junction due to a faulty pantograph, as SBB media spokesman Reto Schärli told the Keystone-SDA news agency on request.
An initial attempt to tow the train away with a new locomotive failed due to another vehicle defect. The SBB fire and rescue train then moved out to the blocked train.
Due to the heavy weight, the rescue train towed the damaged freight train with the help of an additional powerful shunting locomotive. Shortly after 9 a.m., the line was cleared and could be used again without restrictions. Further delays and train cancellations were to be expected until the situation settled down.
The disruption affected one of SBB’s main lines and caused cancellations and detour on numerous lines, according to the rail information service Railinfo. The SBB rerouted trains from Geneva Airport to Basel and vice versa via Biel. Trains between Geneva Airport and Olten, Lucerne, Zurich and St. Gallen also ran via Biel.
©Keystone/SDA
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