SJ AB

For the national railway prior to 2001, also called SJ, see Statens Järnvägar.

Not to be confused with SL.

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, intercity trains, night trains, and regional trains, with some services extending into Denmark, Norway and Germany.^[3][4]

SJ AB

SJ X 2000 train
Company type	State-owned Aktiebolag
Industry	Rail transport
Predecessor	Swedish State Railways
Founded	1 January 2001
Headquarters	Stockholm , Sweden
Area served	Sweden: Most of Sweden Norway: Kongsvinger Line to Oslo Denmark: Öresund Line to Copenhagen Germany: Stockholm to Berlin
Key people	Monica Lingegård (CEO) Henrik Rättzén (deputy CEO and CFO) Siv Svensson (chairwoman)[1]
Revenue	7.8 billion SEK (2017)[2]
Owner	Government of Sweden[2]
Number of employees	approx. 4500 (2017)[2]
Subsidiaries	SJ Götalandståg SJ Norge SJ Norrlandståg SJ Öresundståg Stockholmståg
Website	sj.se (Sweden) sj.no (Norway)

SJ traces its roots back to 1856,^[5] however was established in its current form as a passenger train operator (SJ AB) in 2001, following the restructuring of Statens Järnvägar, the former government agency responsible for the Swedish railways.^[6] SJ AB also has subsidiaries such as SJ Götalandståg, SJ Stockholmståg, and SJ Norge AS, which operate procured regional services in Western Sweden, Stockholm County and Norway, respectively. In 2018, SJ carried 31.8 million passengers.^[7]

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

Main article: X 2000

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 technology 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.^[8] Since 2021 the X2 fleet has been undergoing refurbishment, due for completion in 2026.^[9]

• 
  X2000 in original 1990s livery
• 
  X2000 in updated livery (2008)
• 
  Refurbished X2000 (2022)
• 
  X2000 refurbished interior

X40

Main article: SJ X40

The X40 is a double-decker Coradia Duplex 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.^[10] The X40 fleet is undergoing refurbishment by VR Group in Oulu, due to be complete in 2027.^[11]

• 
  X40 at Gothenburg Central Station
• 
  X40 upstairs interior
• 
  SJ X40

X55

Main article: Bombardier Regina

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).^[12]

• 
  X55 in Örnsköldsvik
• 
  X55 interior
• 
  SJ X55

X50 and X52

Main article: Bombardier Regina

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.^[13]

• 
  SJ X52 (2007)

Rc-hauled Trains

Main article: SJ Rc

Many InterCity services are often operated using Rc-hauled trains, 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.^[14]

• 
  SJ Rc6
• 
  SJ Rc-hauled carriages
• 
  SJ carriage interior

Future

Alstom Zefiro Express (SJ Zefiro Express)

Main article: SJ 250

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.^[15][16][17]

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.^[18][19]

Table^{[needs update]}

Image	Type	Class	In fleet	Usage	Notes
	Electric locomotive	SJ Rc6	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 Rc locomotive-hauled trains with both sleeper wagons as well as standard wagons. All services except for the Stockholm-Malmö route have a bistro wagon.^[20]
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.^[21]
The night-trains operate on the following lines:

Trains for Norrland
Route	Train number	Calling at
Umeå Central or Duved to Stockholm Central or Gothenburg Central	60/64/67/69/70/71/72/73/74/77/79	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.
		Stockholm portion (all stops set-down only): Hudiksvall, Söderhamn, Gävle Central, Uppsala Central, Arlanda Central	Gothenburg portion (all stops set-down only): Örebro Central, Hallsberg, Skövde Central, Herrljunga
Main Line South
Route	Train number	Calling at
Malmö Central to Stockholm Central	1/2	Hässleholm, Alvesta, Nässjö Central, Linköping Central, Norrköping Central
SJ EuroNight
Route	Train number	Calling at
Stockholm Central to Berlin Hbf	345/346	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.^[22]

Lines with InterCity service:

Dalarna
Route	tpd	Calling at		Stock
Stockholm Central to Mora via Borlänge Central	2	Arlanda Central (Pickup only) Uppsala Central (Pickup only), Sala, Avesta Krylbo, Hedemora, Säter, Borlänge Central, Djurås, Gagnef, Insjön, Leksand, Tällberg, Rättvik, Mora		Rc6
Stockholm Central to Falun Central via Borlänge Central	2	Arlanda Central (Pickup only) Uppsala Central (Pickup only), Sala, Avesta Krylbo, Hedemora, Säter, Borlänge Central
Main Line North
Route	tpd	Calling at		Stock
Stockholm Central to Östersund Central and Duved	2	Arlanda Central (Pickup only) Uppsala Central (Pickup only), Gävle Central, Bollnäs, Järvsö, Ljusdal, Ånge, Bräcke, Östersund Central, Krokom, Järpen, Undersåker, Åre, Duved		Rc6 or X55
Värmland and Norway
Route	tpd	Calling at		Stock
Stockholm Central to Karlstad Central and Oslo Central	3	Södertälje South, Katrineholm, Hallsberg, Degerfors, Kristinehamn, Karlstad Central, Arvika, Kongsvinger		Rc6 or X55
Route	tph	Calling at		Stock
East Coast Line / South Main Line
Gävle Central to Linköping Central	1	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.^[23] 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.

SJ Regionaltåg
Route	tph	Calling at		Stock
Stockholm Central to Hallsberg and Gothenburg Central via Västerås	2	Sundbyberg, Bålsta, Enköping, Västerås Central, Köping, Arboga, Örebro Central, Örebro South, Kumla, Hallsberg, Laxå, Töreboda, Skövde Central, Falköping Central, Herrljunga, Vårgårda, Alingsås		X40
Gothenburg Central to Karlstad Central via Åmål	1tp2h	Trollhättan, Öxnered, Mellerud, Åmål, Säffle, Grums, Kil		X52
Gothenburg Central to Kalmar Central	4tpd	Borås Central, Limmared, Hestra, Gnosjö, Värnamo, Alvesta, Växjö, Lessebo, Emmaboda, Nybro		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.

Mälartåg
Sala to Linköping Central via Kvicksund and Hälleforsnäs	1	Ransta, Västerås Central, Kolbäck, Kvicksund, Eskilstuna Central, Hällefornäs, Flen, Katrineholm, Norrköping Central		ER1 or X50 or X52
Stockholm Central to Hallsberg via Flen	1	Flemingsberg, Södertälje South, Gnesta, Flen, Katrineholm, Vingåker		ER1
Stockholm Central to Örebro South via Eskilstuna Central	1	Flemingsberg, Södertälje South, Läggesta, Strängnäs, Eskilstuna Central, Kungsör, Arboga, Örebro Central		ER1
Västtågen
Route	tph	Calling at		Stock
Gothenburg Central to Töreboda	2	Alingsås, Vårgårda, Herrljunga, Floby, Falköping Central, Stenstorp, Skövde Central some trains extend to Töreboda Some trains originate/terminate at Nässjö reversing at Falköping Central		X52
Nässjö Central to Skövde Central or Gothenburg Central	2	Forserum, Tenhult, Huskvarna, Jönköping Central, Bankeryd, Habo, Mullsjö, Sandhem, Falköping Central Some through services to Gothenburg (see above)		X52
Gothenburg Central to Uddevalla and Strömstad	2	Ytterby, Kode, Stora Höga, Stenugnsund, Svenshögen, Ljungskile, Uddevalla East, Uddevalla Central, Munkedal, Dingle, Hällevadsholm, Rabbalshede, Tanum, Överby, Skee		X11/X12/X14/X52
Uddevalla Central to Borås Central via Herrljunga	2	Öxnered, Vänersborg Central, Vargön, Grästorp, Vara, Vedum, Herrljunga, Ljung, Torpåkra, Mollaryd, Borgstend, Fristad, Viskafors Services continue to Varberg (see below).		X11/X12/X14
Borås Central to Varberg	2	Viskafors, Fritsla, Kinna, Assberg, Skene, Berghem, Björketorp, Horred, Veddige, Derome, Tofta		X11/X12/X14
Gothenburg commuter rail
Route	tph	Calling at		Stock
Gothenburg Central to Alingsås	2	Sävenäs, Partille, Jonsered, Aspen, Aspedalen, Stenkullen, Floda, Norsesund, Västra Bodarna Alingsås		X12/X61
Gothenburg Central to Älvängen	2	Gamlestaden, Surte, Bohus, Nödinge, Nol, Älvängen		X12/X61
Gothenburg Central to Kungsbacka	2	Mölndal Central, Kållered, Lindome, Anneberg, [Kungsbacka] Hede, Kungsbacka		X12/X61
Öresundståg - Øresundstog
Route	tph	Calling at		Stock
Gothenburg Central to Østerport	2	Mölndal, Kungsbacka, (Åsa), Varberg, Falkenberg, Halmstad Central, Laholm, Båstad, Ängelholm, Helsingborg Central, Landskrona, Lund Central, Malmö Central (low level), Triangeln, Hyllie, Copenhagen Airport, Tårnby, Örestad, Copenhagen Central, Nørreport		X31K/X32K
Kalmar Central to Østerport	1	Nybro, Emmaboda, Lessebo, Växjö, Alvesta, Hässleholm, Höör, Eslöv, Lund Central, Malmö Central (low level), Triangeln, Hyllie, Copenhagen Airport, Tårnby, Örestad, Copenhagen Central, Nörreport		X31K/X32K
Karlskrona Central to Østerport	1	Bergåsa, Ronneby, Bräkne-Hoby, Kalrshamn, Mörrum, Sölvesborg- Kristianstad Central, Hässleholm, Höör, Eslöv, Lund Central, Malmö Central (low level), Triangeln, Hyllie, Copenhagen Airport, Tårnby, Ørestad, Copenhagen Central, Nørreport		X31K/K32K
Lund Central to Nivå	2	Malmö Central (low level), Triangeln, Hyllie, Copenhagen Airport, Tårnby, Ørestad, Copenhagen Central, Nørreport, Østerport, Hellerup, Klampenborg, Skodsborg, Vedbæk, Rungsted Kyst, Kokkedal, Nivå		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 X12, X40 and X50 stock] 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.^[24]

West Coast
Route	tp2h	Calling at	Stock
Gothenburg Central to Copenhagen Central	10	Varberg, Halmstad Central, Helsingborg Central, Lund Central, Malmö Central, Copenhagen Airport		X55
East Coast
Route	tph	Calling at		Stock
Stockholm Central to Sundsvall Central and Umeå Central	1tp2h	Arlanda Central (Pickup only) Uppsala Central (Pickup only), Gävle Central, Söderhamn, Hudiksvall, Sundsvall Central, Härnösand, Kramfors, Örnsköldsvik Central, Umeå East, Umeå Central Some trains originate/terminate at Sundsvall on weekends		X55
Main Line North
Route	tph	Calling at		Stock
Stockholm Central to Östersund Central and Duved via Gävle central and Bollnäs	1tp2h	Arlanda Central (Pickup only) Uppsala Central (Pickup only), Gävle Central, Ockelbo, Bollnäs, Järvsö, Ljusdal, Ånge, Bräcke, Östersund Central, Undersåker, Åre, Duved		X55 or Rc6
Main Line West
Route	tp2h	Calling at	Stock
Stockholm Central to Gothenburg Central (not all services stop at all stations)	1tp2h	Södertälje South, Katrineholm, Hallsberg, Skövde Central, Herrljunga		X2
Stockholm Central to Trollhättan limited service	1tpd	Södertälje South, Katrineholm, Hallsberg, Skövde Central, Herrljunga, Gothenburg		X2
Borås C to Stockholm Central limited service	2tpd	Herrljunga Central, Falköping Central, Skövde Central, Hallsberg Central		X55
Main Line South
Route	tpd	Calling at		Stock
Stockholm Central to Malmö Central	14	Södertälje South, Katrineholm, Norrköping Central, Linköping Central, Nässjö Central, Alvesta, Hässleholm, Eslöv, Lund		X2
Stockholm Central to Jönköping Central limited service	1	Södertälje South, Katrineholm, Norrköping Central, Linköping Central, Nässjö Central		X2
Värmland
Route	tpd	Calling at		Stock
Stockholm Central to Karlstad Central or Oslo S	1 (Karlstad) 4 (Oslo)	Södertälje South, Katrineholm, Hallsberg, Degerfors, Kristinehamn, (Karlstad, Arvika, Lillestrøm)		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^[25]) commenced operating services on the Trøndelag Commuter Rail, as well as the Meråker, Røros, Rauma, Nordland, the Saltpendel Line and the Dovre Regional Line under a 10-year contract with the Norwegian Railway Directorate.^[26][27]

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
• EL18 electric locomotives, Class 93 Bombardier Talent DMUs, and Class 73 ADtranz EMUs.

The rail routes SJ Norge operate are:

• Steinkjer – Trondheim Central
• Steinkjer – Lerkendal/Trondheim Outskirts
• Steinkjer – Lundamo
• Steinkjer – Melhus
• Lerkendal/Trondheim Outskirts – Trondheim Central
• Trondheim Central – Heimdal
• Trondheim Central – Melhus
• Trondheim Central – Lundamo
• Trondheim Central – Røros
• Trondheim Central – Stjørdal/Værnes Airport
• Heimdal – Storlien (interchange with Norrtåg toward Östersund
• Trondheim Central – Bodø
• Trondheim Central – Mo i Rana
• Trondheim Central – Oslo Central
• Rotvoll – Røros
• Rotvoll – Støren
• Steinkjer – Støren
• Røros – Hamar
• Saltenpendelen

Ticketing

Ticket prices on SJ trains vary, similarly to airfares, with the lowest prices typically available when booking ahead.^[28] 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.^[29]

In September 2023, SJ removed its ticket machines from stations.^[30] The machines were phased out due to a decline in customer usage and the machines' reliance on older technology.^[31] SJ directs passengers to purchase tickets via their website, the SJ app, or through authorised agents. It is not possible to buy tickets on board SJ's trains.^[32] Additionally, since September 2009, passengers are required to carry an identity document while traveling on SJ trains.^[33]

See also

• Banverket
• Green Cargo
• List of railway companies
• Nils Ericson, railway pioneer
• Rail transport in Sweden
• Statens Järnvägar (1856–2000)
• Tågkompaniet
• Transportation in Sweden
• Veolia Transport