SJ is the primary passenger train operator in Sweden. A wholly state-owned company operated for-profit under market conditions, SJ operates various services across Sweden. SJ's operations include high-speed trains, Inter-city rail, night trains, and Regional rail, with some services extending into Denmark, Norway and Germany.
SJ traces its roots back to 1856,
Overview
SJ AB was formed in 2001, following the restructuring of
Statens Järnvägar. This restructuring divided the agency into six separate state-owned limited companies, including SJ for passenger trains,
Green Cargo for freight, and
Jernhusen for railway buildings. SJ's operations fall broadly into subsidised and unsubsidised services. The unsubsidised services ran until the 2011 monopoly. The subsidised trains are awarded through competitive bids. However, some trains fall in between these categories, since public transit agencies can pay SJ to allow transit pass holders access to SJ's trains.
SJ received a government bailout a few years after its creation, but has since had profit margins of up to ten percent. All train operators in Sweden pay low track access charges to the track authority, Trafikverket.
Rolling stock
Current
X2
The X2 trains (Operated by SJ as X 2000) launched in 1990, and are used for higher-speed services and have a top speed of 200 km/h (125 mph). Built in Sweden by
Kalmar Verkstad, later
Adtranz, they feature
Tilting train to reduce the effects of high-speed turns. These trains serve several routes, including Stockholm-Gothenburg (Västra Stambanan) and Stockholm-Malmö-Copenhagen (Södra Stambanan and Öresund Line). They have also previously served the Stockholm-Sundsvall, Stockholm-Strömstad, Stockholm-Oslo, and Stockholm-Östersund-(Duved) lines, with seasonal services on some of these routes. Currently, about 40 X2 sets are in operation.
Since 2021 the X2 fleet has been undergoing refurbishment, due for completion in 2026.
X40
The X40 is a double-decker
Alstom Coradia train built by
Alstom used for regional services, launched in 2006. It typically serves shorter routes, such as the Stockholm-Uppsala line (Uppsalapendeln), which is often composed of eight cars. These trains are typically used for services that do not travel longer than 4 hours, with some exceptions like the Coast to Coast (Gothenburg-Kalmar) and Stockholm-Gothenburg via Västerås. The X40 has no catering service, and most of these trains are composed of second-class cars, with the exception of some services that feature some compartments designated first-class.
The X40 fleet is undergoing refurbishment by
VR Group in
Oulu, due to be complete in 2027.
X55
The X55 (operated by SJ as
SJ 3000) is a newer train model built by Bombardier introduced in 2012. It has a top speed of 200 km/h and serves various routes, often north of Stockholm, including Stockholm-Östersund-(Duved) (Mittbanan-Norra Stambanan), Stockholm-Uddevalla (Västra Stambanan and Bohusbanan), Stockholm-Gothenburg, Stockholm-Sundsvall-Umeå (Ostkustbanan, Botniabanan), Gothenburg-Malmö (Västkustbanan), Stockholm-Oslo, Stockholm-Karlstad (Västra Stambanan and Värmlandsbanan/Kongsvingerbanen), and Stockholm-Falun/Mora (Dalabanan).
X50 and X52
The X50 and X52 trains are used for regional services and are part of the push-pull trainset configurations. These trains generally do not serve meals or drinks, and are used on routes that do not exceed four hours in duration. While most SJ trains have first-class compartments, the X50 and X52 sets typically do not.
Rc-hauled Trains
Many InterCity services are often operated using
SJ Rc, which are paired with various carriages, such as the SJ B7, or other first class, second class, and sleeper carriages. The Rc-hauled trains often also feature an onboard bistro car.
Future
Alstom Zefiro Express (SJ Zefiro Express)
Twenty-five high-speed Zefiro Express high-speed trains (currently named/called the SJ Zefiro Express), scheduled to enter service in 2027, will operate on routes including Stockholm–Malmö, Stockholm–Gothenburg, and be certified for cross-border services to Denmark and Norway. The trains, with a top speed of 250 km/h, and are designed to handle running at temperatures of -40 degrees. The contract, valued at SEK 7 billion (EUR 630 million), was awarded to Bombardier (now part of
Alstom) by SJ in 2021.
CAF Civity Nordic
25 CAF Civity Nordic, scheduled to enter service in 2027, will operate on regional routes including Stockholm-Västerås-Örebro-Skövde-Gothenburg, Linköping-Norrköping-Stockholm-Arlanda-Uppsala-Gävle-Ljusdal and Kalmar-Gothenburg. The trains are designed for cold weather conditions in Sweden, and can operate with a top speed of 200 km/h. The contract, valued at EUR 300 million, was awarded to CAF by SJ in 2022.
Table
|
| | Electric locomotive | SJ Rc | 86 | Night-train, Intercity, Regional | All painted black. |
| | Electric multiple unit | SJ X2 | 44 | High-speed (X 2000) | Grey livery, under refurbishment. |
| | Electric multiple unit | SJ X12 | 4 | Regional | 4 units refurbished 2012–2014 with the new grey livery. 3 units scrapped. All four active trains are currently leased out to Västraffik. |
| | Electric multiple unit | SJ X40 | 43 | Regional | The X40 trainsets come in both 2-car and 3-car variations. Routes include Stockholm-Västerås-Gothenburg. |
| | Electric multiple unit | SJ X55 | 20 | High-speed (SJ 3000) | Used on higher speed lines to northern Sweden, Karlstad, Oslo and Borås from Stockholm, as well as Gothenburg-Malmö. Grey livery. |
Services
Sleeper services - SJ Nattåg
The SJ overnight train services (Swedish:
SJ Nattåg) are
SJ Rc-hauled trains with both sleeper wagons as well as standard wagons. All services except for the Stockholm-Malmö route have a bistro wagon.
As of 2022 SJ has in collaboration with DSB and RDC begun to operate night train services between Sweden and Germany through Denmark.
Three different locomotives are used due to compatibility issues with the electrification and signaling systems between the three countries.
Within Sweden SJ Rc locomotives are used, and in Denmark DSB EA locomotives are used, and in Germany DB 101 locomotives are used.
The night-trains operate on the following lines:
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|
|
| Duved portion:
Åre, Undersåker, Järpen, Krokom, Östersund Central, Bräcke, Ånge, Sundsvall Central | Umeå portion:
Umeå Östra, Nordmaling, Örnsköldsvik Central, Kramfors, Härnösand, Sundsvall C |
| The two portions divide/attach at Sundsvall Central. |
Gothenburg portion (all stops set-down only):
Örebro Central, Hallsberg, Skövde Central, Herrljunga |
|
|
| Hässleholm, Alvesta, Nässjö Central, Linköping Central, Norrköping Central |
|
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Stockholm Central, Norrköping Central, Linköping Central, Nässjö Central, Alvesta, Hässleholm, Lund Central, Malmö C, Copenhagen Airport, Padborg, Hamburg Hbf, Berlin Hbf
Stops within Sweden are pick-up only if the train starts from Stockholm |
SJ InterCity
The InterCity services are Rc-hauled trains with standard-seating carriages in both first and second class. There is always a bistro car available in the trainset.
Lines with InterCity service:
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|
|
| Rc6 |
| Arlanda Central (Pickup only) Uppsala Central (Pickup only), Sala, Avesta Krylbo, Hedemora, Säter, Borlänge Central |
|
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| Rc6 or X55 |
|
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| Rc6 or X55 |
|
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| Tierp, Uppsala Central, Arlanda Central, Stockholm Central, Flemingsberg, Södertälje South, Norrköping Central
Limited InterCity service Ljusdal - Linköping and Sundsvall-Linköping | X40 |
|
SJ Regional
Most of the SJ Regional network was concentrated in the area around lake Mälaren. Operated with either Rc-hauled trainsets, X12/X14 or X40 EMUs. These trains have no catering on board. The X40 is equipped with free 4G WiFi. Both first and second-class are usually offered.
Most of this network has been incorporated into the new Mälartåg franchise, although some services remain outside of it.
Routes listed below are the satellite routes which are not subject to franchising.
|
|
|
| Stockholm Central to Hallsberg
and Gothenburg Central via Västerås | X40 |
| Gothenburg Central to
Karlstad Central via Åmål | X52 |
| Gothenburg Central to
Kalmar Central | Rc6 |
Franchised operations
SJ operate a couple of regional rail franchises held by public transport authorities around the country. The most significant of these are Mälartåg and Västtågen serving the Mälaren valley and the region of West Götaland respectively. SJ AB also started operating the Öresundståg franchise for the 2020 timetable, taking over from Transdev. But due to serious inconsistencies between partners the contract will be terminated as of December 2022 where Transdev will take over again
.
MTR took over the Mälartåg contract in December 2021.
|
|
| ER1 or X50 or X52 |
| ER1 |
| ER1 |
|
|
| X52 |
| X52 |
| X11/X12/X14/X52 |
| X11/X12/X14 |
| X11/X12/X14 |
|
|
| X12/X61 |
| X12/X61 |
| X12/X61 |
|
|
| X31K/X32K |
| X31K/X32K |
| X31K/K32K |
| X31K/X32K |
The stretch Malmö Central to Copenhagen Central is operated 50/50 alongside Danish State Railways (DSB) and Copenhagen to Østerport/Nivå by DSB only.
The initial contract for the Mälartåg franchise states that the operator may use their own fleet of until the delivery of ER1 Stadler Dosto 200 EMUs is completed. The Upptåget franchise will be merged into Mälartåg onwards from the 2022 timetable, meaning that services from Gävle gain additional stations inherited from the termination of the Upptåget franchise.
SJ higher speed trains
SJ higher speed trains (Swedish:
SJ Snabbtåg) are X2 or X55 trains operating on the main routes in Sweden. The trains are equipped with WiFi and have a bistro.
|
|
|
| X55 |
|
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| Stockholm Central to Sundsvall Central
and Umeå Central | X55 |
|
|
| X55 or Rc6 |
|
|
| X2 |
| X2 |
| X55 |
|
|
| X2 |
| X2 |
|
|
| X2, X55 or Rc6 (the latter two operate to Oslo) |
Stops at Arlanda and Uppsala are for boarding northbound or alighting southbound respectively, although passengers with railcards are exempted from this rule. Some services do also allow both boarding and alighting at Arlanda and Uppsala respectively.
SJ Norge
On 7 June 2020,
SJ Norge (trading as
SJ NORD) commenced operating services on the Trøndelag Commuter Rail, as well as the Meråker, Røros,
Rauma Line,
Nordland Line, the
Saltpendel Line and the
Dovre Line under a 10-year contract with the Norwegian Railway Directorate.
[ Tendering begins for train services in northern Norway International Railway Journal][
]
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> SJ wins north Norway operating contract Railway Gazette International 17 June 2019
SJ operates trains owned by Norske Tog (Norwegian Trains) and these are:
-
Class 76 or Stadler FLIRT Bio-Modes (hybrid electric EMUs) as well as Di - 4 diesel-electric locomotives and Class 92 Duewag DMUs
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EL18 electric locomotives, Class 93 Bombardier Talent DMUs, and Class 73 ADtranz EMUs.
The rail routes SJ Norge operate are:
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Steinkjer – Trondheim Central
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Steinkjer – Lerkendal/Trondheim Outskirts
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Steinkjer – Lundamo
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Steinkjer – Melhus
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Lerkendal/Trondheim Outskirts – Trondheim Central
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Trondheim Central – Heimdal
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Trondheim Central – Melhus
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Trondheim Central – Lundamo
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Trondheim Central – Røros
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Trondheim Central – Stjørdal/Værnes Airport
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Heimdal – Storlien (interchange with Norrtåg toward Östersund
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Trondheim Central – Bodø
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Trondheim Central – Mo i Rana
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Trondheim Central – Oslo Central
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Rotvoll – Røros
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Rotvoll – Støren
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Steinkjer – Støren
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Røros – Hamar
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Saltenpendelen
Ticketing
Ticket prices on SJ trains vary, similarly to
airfares, with the lowest prices typically available when booking ahead.
SJ offers different ticket categories, such as non-rebookable and refundable tickets, each with varying levels of flexibility. Additionally, there are certain discounts for seniors, students, youths, and families.
In September 2023, SJ removed its ticket machines from stations.
See also
External links
