1940 dramatically changed the pacing of construction. The Nordland Line was given high military priority and the order was given for imminent opening of the line. Three bridges were destroyed during the Norwegian Campaign and new temporary structures had to be put up to replace them or the damages repaired. Operations from Grong to Mosjøen started on 5 July with an official opening two days later. NSB extended the daily Trondheim–Grong train to Mosjøen. In addition military trains were operated as needed. Due to shortcuts in the hasty completion, full operating speeds were not reached until 1 July 1942. With increased use of the line, several Class 63 locomotives were imported from Germany for use on the line. Later Class 30 and 32 were used further south. Work north of Mosjøen, on the section to Elsfjord, started in 1935, based on a detailed plan approved by Parliament the same year. Proposals were made for the line running on either side of Elsfjorden, with the east side ultimately chosen. A major dispute on this segment was if the line should cross the fjord along Røssingtangen and on a bridge, but instead a longer route around the fjord was chosen. Elsfjord Station was completed in 1938 to be used as a construction office. The Wehrmacht intensified construction on this section from 1940, and by July 1,950 people were working there, increasing to 4,966 people by September. Attempts were made to introduce work on Sundays, but this proved impossible to carry out as the workers just became tired. Futsa was crossed using a German-built bridge. A major hindrance to faster completion was the time needed to blast the final four tunnels. Temporary operation on the line to Elsfjord commenced on 15 March 1941. Without a rail or road connection onward, there was little practical use of this segment on itself. Next focus shifted to completing the next to Finneidfjord, including blasting of several tunnels north and south of Finneidfjord. The lack of roads near the route meant all supplies had to freighted in on the fjord. Food to the workers remained one of the most difficult logistical challenges, both regarding procurement and transport to the sites. Any conceivable short-cut was taken during the work if it could be allowed to speed up the opening date. Ties were cut into the ice during the winter instead of waiting for summer, and in the unfinished