How old trains are recycled
Have you ever wondered what happens to old trains that are taken out of service? Norske tog is working with Hellik Teigen to recycle them in a sustainable way - see how we do it!
When train sets are phased out of service, they are sent to Hellik Teigen's workshop for dismantling of components that can be reused, before being prepared for material recycling. Norske tog has had a recycling agreement with Hellik Teigen for many years, and they have recycled 15 train sets since 2017.
The train sets that are being phased out are at the end of their service life and do not meet today's requirements for universal design. The distribution of vehicle types being phased out is Type 69 (3), Type 70 (10) and Type 92 (2). When Norske tog phases in new local and long-distance trains, these vehicle types will be phased out completely.
A further 52 outdated train sets will be phased out over the next six years, amounting to a total of 7,200 tons.
Bit by bit, the train sets are taken apart at Hellik-Teigen. Metals such as iron, aluminum and copper from the old trains are recycled and used in new products. Hellik Teigen's reports show that approximately 83 percent of the materials from the trains were recycled in 2022. The remaining 17 percent went to energy recovery. The collaboration with Hellik Teigen continues, and the goal is to increase the proportion that is recycled.
For Norske tog, the recycling of trains is important both from a climate perspective and because it helps to increase access to spare parts needed for maintenance and repair of train sets in traffic. Many of these parts are no longer in production, and the reuse of parts is therefore crucial for repairing and extending the lifespan of older trainsets in traffic.
See how old trains are recycled - check out the fascinating pictures from the recycling process!
