norwegianrailwaystories

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Humans sometimes define things as being in the “Uncanny valley,” meaning that sometimes that looks human but isn’t ends up causing a sense of unease. It made me curious, do the engines have something similar to the “Uncanny Valley?” Something that looks like a locomotive but isn’t?

"No...? Most things that looks like a locomotive IS a locomotive. At least that we encounter. Humans are the most uncanny things we encounter according to Granfos... I am inclined to agree. Some of them really are terrifying."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Have any of you encounter a ghost by any chance? Just curious.

"No... I thought I had once, but it just turned out to be Flirt. He's one of the HSTs that run at the Kongsvinger LIne. Setskogen just enjoys scaring me by telling spooky stories and fuel my fear..."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Have you guys ever wondered what it would be like to travel as other kinds of vehicles do? Road, flight, etc

"No, not really... Most of us has had at least one ride by road though, at the back of a trailer. Some of us has also travelled by ship, but I can't say I remember it. Odda is the one who has travelled the most, both by rail, road and sea."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

For Valentines Day! <3

[norwegianrailwaystories]

How to diesel engines differ from regular gasoline engines? And are there any engines at UHB fueled by regular gasoline?

"The same way as diesel cars differ from gasoline cars, I suppose? Diesel engines tend to have higher torque though, but I am not an expert, so I can't tell why diesel is more common among engines. And yes, we have one... Kvabben. But he is more like a car than a locomotive. He even has the pedals on the floor and stick shift, he just misses the steering wheel."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Prydz, do you like insects?

"I don't mind them. They bother the humans more than me. Some of them are kind of cute too. Like jumping spiders, bees and butterflies."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Some music for our little universe. Still working on the character themes. This is what we have so far. Not entirely sold on Bingsfos' theme, so we might change it.

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Do you guys like your hot cocoa with milk, or water?

"I prefer my diesel WITHOUT cocoa, milk or water."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

What are the jacks the steamers have for?

"To keep you guessing..."

"To... hijack something maybe?"

"Only Prydz and I have them. They are for minor derailments, to lift and guide us back on the rails."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

I heard Prydz was an oil burner at some point? How did that end up damaging the firebox?

"Yes... both me and Urskog were converted to oil burners when we came to the railway museum in the 60's... i was reverted back to coal burning when came back to UHB in the late 80's. It does do a lot of damage when your firebox isn't originally built for it, because it is almost like having a literal blow torch flame in there... It wears down the metal a lot faster."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Do the steamers have one cylinder in their compression boxes, or two?

"One. No... wait... we have two compression boxes, with one each... so that technically makes it two, right?"

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Join our friendly community and geek out about the NRS, trains and railways! Welcome!

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Who is your favorite out of all the engines you guys meet either on the mainline, or that visit UHB, if any?

"Depends who your asking... My personal favorites are Morricone, a Vossloh G2000 who hauls lumber trains at the Kongsvinger Line, and of course Flirt who stops for a chat now and then. But if you ask the others they might have other favorites. I know some of the females who pull freight trains tend to cat call Høland sometimes, so they're not super popular."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Holand, has anyone ever complimented your eyes? They're beautiful!

"Prydz has certainly tried... but her compliments usually come out as unintentional insults, so... Thanks! I don't hear it too often."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Are there any specific light combinations you guys use when moving forward, or backwards, for those engines who have more than one lamp?

"No. Our line isn't big, and never has been, so even with five engines working at most in the haydays, we've never had light combinations to tell the loads apart since we were all pulling mixed trains. Our lights just indicate which end is moving forward. For the steamers: lights on in the end moving forward, the backward facing end is dark. For diesels: white light on the forward facing end, red on the backward facing end. Setskogen is probably the most challenging one to drive at night, because she had kerosene lanterns that you will have to light and blow out. We tend to cheat, letting her have lights on in both ends to save the hassle of having to blow them our and re-light them all the time. For the rest of us, you can just flip a switch to change the end that has light on. When we pull trains, the locomotive have white light, while the last coach has red lights."

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Do you need someone to talk to? Or do you know someone who is struggling?

[norwegianrailwaystories]

Now that we know it, what does Granfos want for his birthday?

"Same as I've always gotten for my non-existing birthday: nothing. I already have everything I want in life; a nice home, a good job and a beautiful locomotive to rest my eyes upon. When she is nearby, that is."