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. SJ traces its roots back to 1856, 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. 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.

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 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. Since 2021 the X2 fleet has been undergoing refurbishment, due for completion in 2026.

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. 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 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.

Future

Alstom Zefiro Express

25 high-speed Zefiro Express high-speed trains, 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 regional trains, scheduled to enter service in 2027, will operate on regional routes including Stockholm-Västerås-Örebro-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

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. 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 are SJ Rc locomotives used, and in Denmark are DSB EA used, and in Germany are DB 101 used. The night-trains are operated on the following lines:

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:

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.

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. 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. 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 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. SJ is also set to start up services on the Stockholm - Trondheim stretch as soon as the Norwegian part of the railway is electrified. SJ will operate trains owned by Norske Tog (Norwegian Trains) and these are: The rail routes SJ Norge operate are: The rail routes SJ Norge are set to operate are:

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. The machines were phased out due to a decline in customer usage and the machines' reliance on older technology. 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. Additionally, since September 2009, passengers are required to carry an identity document wile traveling on SJ trains.