The Gold Transport

80 years ago, another train passed by here, right where you are now sitting, it was carrying the entire Norwegian gold reserve. When the Nazis arrived in Oslo on the 9th April 1940, they had 3 goals: to take control of the monarchy, the government and the Norwegian gold reserve of 50 tonnes. The gold was evacuated from Oslo to Lillehammer in 26 lorries just hours before German soldiers marched into the streets of Oslo, it was loaded onto trains and transported to Åndalsnes a few days later. At the same time physical battles were taking place in this area and they became known as the battle of Dombås. Eventually, the allies gained control of the land, and the train carrying the gold reserves passed through here on the night of the 20th April 1940, with the enemy hot on its heels. The gold arrived in Åndalsnes and was divided up, part was transported by boat to England and the rest went to Molde by car. The Monarchy, the government, and the gold reserves all narrowly escaped much to the chagrin of Hitler and his companions.