Bodø workshop supports Nordlandsbanen service return

The temporary maintenance workshop in Bodø is allowing SJ Norge to resume services. These services run between Levanger and Bodø after the Nesvatnet landslide. Bane NOR completed the 12-week project with local and regional stakeholders in northern Norway.

The work was delivered through a coordinated effort, as Bane NOR noted. That effort put the required infrastructure in place. Its rapid completion marks an important milestone in efforts to build a more robust and predictable rail system in northern Norway.

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Temporary maintenance workshop in Bodø supports operations

The workshop provides the conditions needed to restore and stabilize traffic on the Nordlandsbanen. Also, it supports both passenger and freight services. Nordlandsbanen, or the Nordland Line, runs between Trondheim and Bodø. It passes through the northern part of the country, including large areas of Nordland.

Bane NOR representatives said the project’s completion is a significant milestone for the region. They said it will help improve rail reliability and strengthen emergency response capacity. They also said the temporary facility in Bodø makes the network more resilient. At the same time, difficult geography and climate require fast and effective solutions.

Nordlandsbanen after the Nesvatnet landslide

The opening was presented as a necessary step toward restoring normal operations on the Nordlandsbanen. It follows the landslide at Nesvatnet last August. The incident disrupted rail traffic. It also limited access to maintenance facilities for rolling stock north of the affected area, as Jernbanedirektoratet noted. Still, without this infrastructure, trains could not be transferred to the usual workshops. Those workshops are in Støren and Trondheim.

Maintenance can now be carried out directly in Bodø. This can reduce turnaround times and improve operational reliability. In addition, railway authorities said the investment has a direct effect on passenger service quality. They also said it supports continuity in freight transport in the region.

On August 30, 2025, the Nordlandsbanen was severely affected in the Nesvatnet area. A landslide caused by unstable clay hit the line. The landslide destabilized both the railway infrastructure and part of the E6 highway. The incident led to a complete interruption of traffic. The interruption affected one of the most important rail routes in northern Norway. It forced authorities to arrange alternative transport and begin complex reconstruction work.

Direct and indirect damage is estimated at tens of millions of EUR, as Railway Pro reported. The estimate mainly reflects operational disruption and infrastructure restoration costs. Meanwhile, the total cost of the interventions is still being assessed.

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