Keeping the Rails Alive: Life Along the Flåm Railway

When the railway reached Flåm, everything changed. The steep and stunning Flåm Railway brought jobs, growth, and opportunity to a remote mountain village. Today, the train line is one of Norway’s top tourist attractions — but it’s the people behind the scenes who keep it all running. The railway workers are people of the mountains - skilled, reliable and dedicated.

This article is based on a documentary made by Norway's Best. Watch the full story here.

Siw Helen Hagan: A Life on the Tracks

«My name is Siw Helen Hagan. I'm originally from Sortland but moved to Aurland when I was four. I'd say I'm an 'Aurlanding' now».

Growing up, Siw rarely visited Flåm, but between the ages of 15 and 21, she spent more time there. An early relationship with a boy who worked on the trains drew her into the world of railways - a casual joke from his brother about becoming a conductor, like her boyfriend, planted a seed that would eventually shape her career path.

On September 1, 1986, Siw officially started her railway career - first in Oslo, where she worked for nine years. It was a big change, moving to the "big city" with her regional dialect, but she enjoyed her time there. Colleagues became friends and Siw became part of the Railway community. Still, life became challenging as a single mother of two. She eventually returned home, living with her mother and sister in Aurland.

Siw has spent a total of 37.5 years working on the railway, 26 of those on the Flåm Railway. Her job as a conductor involves welcoming passengers, checking tickets, ensuring safety procedures are followed, helping with luggage and strollers, and - crucially - keeping to schedule.

Timing becomes tricky at popular spots like Kjosfossen, where passengers get off to enjoy the view. «We usually need to blow the whistle a few times to get everyone back on board» she laughs.

Siw works from her small office in the conductor’s carriage but stays available for passengers whenever needed. «I feel very confident in my work, and that let's me relax and enjoy interacting with travelers» she says.

Even after all these years, the job rarely feels boring. «Every day is different. Friendly colleagues and new situations keep things interesting. It's not like sitting in a regular office,» she adds. Siw says it would be nice to have updated trains someday, but other than that, there's nothing she would want to change.

Åge Skjerdal: Guiding Trains by Hand

«My name is Åge Skjerdal. I work in rail traffic control» TXP Berekvam, officially the controller for a very particular stretch of the Flåm Railway.

Berekvam Station lies low in the Flåm Valley, almost exactly half way along the line. It’s one of a small number of stations in Norway that still uses manual track switchers. This is the only point on the line where the two locomotives and their carriages meet.

On this particular stretch of track, every departure and arrival order is sent manually over train radio. Unlike modern systems where remote controls manage track signals, here, it’s up to Åge and the manual order book.

He must carefully shift switch levers to the correct tracks and coordinate the arrival and departure of trains, ensuring each one moves safely. «It’s important to keep routines clear so everything goes smoothly and safely» he explains.

Despite the location, Åge doesn’t feel isolated.

«This isn't a lonely job. We interact a lot with passengers — helping, answering questions. It’s part of the job, and it’s something I enjoy», he explains.

For Åge, collaboration is key. «When everyone around you works well together, you get so much more out of it. I think it’s the same in life in general I think», he says, smiling from ear to ear.

Jørund Vidme: Keeping the Wheels Turning

For Jørund Vidme, the railway is personal. «Both my father and grandfather worked on the Flåm Railway» he says. «It’s been a part of my life since I was little».

Jørund grew up in Lillestrøm but stayed connected to Flåm through family and eventually, work. Today, he maintains the trains mechanically, seven days a week if needed. When outside contractors like Mantena aren’t on-site, it’s Jørund who steps in to fix faults.

There are thirteen carriages and five locomotives on the Flåm line, each requiring regular maintenance based on how far they travel. Heavy repairs sometimes go elsewhere, but most maintenance happens right on site, in Flåm.

Jørund recently celebrated 35 years in the railway industry. He holds two trade certifications and has always specialized in technical work.

«It's a good feeling to be here, to love Flåm, and to help keep everything running» he says. «People come from all over the world looking forward to their trip — and I want to make sure the trains are ready for them».

The Spirit of Flåm Lives On

The Flåm Railway is much more than a tourist attraction. It’s a living, working part of the community - driven by people who care deeply about what they do. From conductors ensuring safety, to traffic controllers guiding trains by hand, to mechanics keeping the wheels turning, the railway thrives on human dedication and pride.

Without them, Flåm wouldn’t be the same. And because of them, the spirit of Flåm - its hard work, resilience, and connection to the mountains - lives on.

Today the Flåm Railway is a major tourist attraction. A new deep-water quay at Flåm can berth the largest cruise ships, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the little town​. In 2024 nearly 960,000 passengers rode the line​. Even at midseason, daily service (from 06:00 to 22:00) often runs at full capacity – the two daily trains handle roughly 500 passengers each over the mountain​.