Status Report on the Iron Ore Line Derailment: Could Have Been Caused by Defective Wheel
Mining company LKAB's iron ore freight trains in Narvik, Northern Norway. The Swedish mining company transports large amounts of iron ore products to the port of Narvik on a daily basis. The railway line is also important for the transport of goods into Northern Norway, as well as seafood products southwards to Oslo through Sweden. (Foto: Hilde Bye/High North News).
According to a preliminary status report from the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority, a damaged wheel could have contributed to the train derailment on the Iron Ore Line a year ago. The fully loaded train was heading from the northern Swedish city of Kiruna to Narvik when several cars derailed near the Norwegian border.
The derailment on the Iron Ore Line in December last year may have been caused by a defective wheel.
This was stated by the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority. The final report is scheduled for March 2025.
A loaded iron ore train heading from Kiruna in Northern Sweden to Narvik in Northern Norway derailed near the Norwegian border with several cars. There were no injuries, but the derailment led to significant damage to infrastructure, such as rails, sleepers, and overhead lines.
A decision was made to investigate the incident, and the damages were estimated at 2 million euros, informs the Accident Investigation Authority.
Defective wheel
The report reveals that a wheel is to have derailed while the trail was still in motion. The more extensive derailment occurred 15 kilometers later with several derailed axles and cars.
The investigators found an axle with a loose, damaged wheel under the derailed cars. According to the report, the wheel broke, then moved toward the axle and derailed.
A crack on the back of the wheel flange is a likely contributor. The cause of this is still under investigation.
From the LKAB port in Narvik. Here, the iron ore extracted in northern Sweden is loaded onto ore ships for transport to international markets. LKAB extracts iron ore in Kiruna and Gällivare in northern Sweden and is Europe's largest producer of iron ore. (Photo: Hilde Bye).
Important railway line
After the derailment, the Iron Ore Line, or the Ofoten Line, as it is known on the Norwegian side, was closed for about two months.
The derailment had significant consequences for the Swedish mining company LKAB, as most of the iron ore products it extracts and produces are shipped to Narvik for shipment to the markets. Typically, 10-12 of LKAB's iron ore trains run in each direction between Narvik and Kiruna on a daily basis.
The railway line is also very important for transporting consumer goods to Northern Norway, shipping seafood south, other freight traffic, and passenger transport.
A double track has long been called for in order to increase capacity and reduce vulnerability.
In February 2024, yet another derailment occurred on the railway. This train, which was not loaded, came from Narvik. Traffic resumed about two weeks later.
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority is investigating this incident as well.
