X 2000

X 2000, officially designated X2, is an electric high-speed tilting train operated by SJ in Sweden. It has a top commercial speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) and a top design speed of 210 km/h (130 mph) but has achieved a maximum speed of 276 km/h (171 mph) in tests. It primarily serves major routes, including Stockholm–Gothenburg and Stockholm–Malmö–Copenhagen.

The X2 project began in 1969 as a collaboration between Kalmar Verkstad, Swedish State Railways (SJ), and ASEA. In 1986, SJ placed an order for 20 sets of a new type of train. Asea was responsible for manufacturing the electrical components, while Kalmar Verkstad (Statsföretag) was responsible for the mechanical design and manufacturing. Ultimately, a total of 44 train sets were built.

The trains, designed and manufactured in Kalmar, Sweden, were launched in 1990 as a first-class only train with a meal included in the ticket price, and free use of the train's fax machine. From 1995 second class was introduced. The fleet has undergone various refurbishments over time, most recently ongoing since 2020.

Background and development

The X2 was developed to address the challenges posed by Sweden's railway network, which features numerous sharp curves (like in almost all countries) due to the country's geography. At the same time, Sweden’s low population density made the construction of dedicated high-speed rail lines impractical before 1990.

To overcome these constraints, the X2 was designed as a tilting train, allowing it to maintain theoretically 15 % higher speeds while navigating curves. Tilting trains can comfortably travel through curves up to 15 % faster speeds than conventional non-tilting trains, without the need for significant infrastructure changes.

The X2 project began in 1969 as a collaboration between Kalmar Verkstad, Statens Järnvägar, and Asea. Testing started in the 1970s.

In the late 1960s, an X1 multiple unit was modified with a tilting carbody on new Asea bogies with pneumatic cylinders. Later, an X5 train was adapted for high-speed tests designated X15, featuring hydraulic tilt cylinders. X15 data informed X2 development, and an X2 prototype car (X15-4) was tested in the same trainset. In August 1986, SJ ordered the first X2 trainsets from Kalmar Verkstad and Asea.

Manufacturing introduced new welding and structural techniques, producing a rigid, collision-absorbing body with reduced corrosion and maintenance needs.

The X2 influenced later trains, including the C20 (Stockholm metro), Bombardier Regina, X31, the NSB Class 71 in Norway, and the Bombardier Movia series. n what way?
The X2 entered commercial service on 4 September 1990 between Stockholm and Gothenburg. Production ended in March–April 1998.

Name

According to Swedish State Railways’s classification system, electric multiple units () were assigned designations starting with "X". This convention has applied to various SJ train types, such as the X5 and X40 units, and has also been used by other companies, such as SL's X10 commuter trains and X15p local trains.

The X2 tractive unit is a heavy locomotive with four axles, an axle load of 18,5 tonnes and a maximum continuous power of 3 260 kW (Rc-locomotive 3 600 kW).

The official designation of the X 2000 is X2. The name started as X 2000 a marketing concept for their service introduced when the trains entered service in 1990, and has since been used by SJ to refer to the train type itself. The trains were also used by Linx, a joint venture with NSB, without the X2000 name.

Since December 2011, SJ services using X2 or X55 (also known as SJ 3000) trains are referred to SJ High-Speed Train (). The train has also been labelled as ''SJ X2'', and ''SJ2000.''

Speed

The train's designated top speed is . It reached during a trial run with double power car units in 1993. The maximum speed allowed in regular traffic is for safety reasons – the signalling system (and systems like the catenary) are not built for higher speeds, and it shares the track with regular trains (like in most countries); also, most of the lines it uses were built in the mid-to-late 19th century. The 19th century railways Stockholm–Gothenburg/Malmö are relatively straight, since they were planned the shortest way without taking intermediate cities into account, and the landscape is relatively flat. Other 19th-century railways are generally curvier.

In comparison to other high-speed trains, the X 2000 is not particularly fast; but compared to regular train services, it cuts journey time by about 10–15% – enough to make it competitive with airlines on many routes. It typically averages about . The fastest part is Katrineholm–Skövde, a distance of that is covered in 1 hour and 2 minutes, resulting in an average speed of .

SJ considered configuring the trainset with a sixth trailing car and creating a set of 12 trailer cars using a second locomotive. The trainset can stop in from a top speed of .

Lines and services

Former lines and services

* In 2000–2004, seven trains were operated by Linx on the transeuropean route Oslo–Gothenburg–Malmö–Copenhagen and Oslo–Stockholm. Linx was a joint venture between SJ and its Norwegian counterpart NSB. It was wound up when SJ wanted to move the trains to more profitable lines in Sweden. Low-fares airlines also played a part in siphoning off passengers from the comparatively slow Linx services, the main ones taking well in excess of three hours.
* Briefly in 2010–2011 X 2000 trains ran once daily between Stockholm and Odense.
* In 2012–2013, when SJ received its X55 trains, X 2000 services were suspended on a number of routes and reduced on others.
** One example is Stockholm–Sundsvall, with one daily departure, calling at Arlanda, Uppsala, Gävle, Söderhamn, Hudiksvall and Sundsvall. This route formerly used a single X 2000 trainset until it was replaced with X55. This is because there is since 2012 a continuation to UmeÃ¥ which requires installation of ERTMS, which X 2000 does not have (as of 2025 at least).

Current lines and services

*Stockholm–Gothenburg, calling at Södertälje Syd, Katrineholm, Hallsberg, Skövde, Herrljunga, Alingsås and Gothenburg. Not all trains call at all stations. Since 2015 VR Snabbtåg Sverige (formerly MTRX) has competed with SJ on this route (previously FlixTrain as well from 2019 until 2024).
*Stockholm–Oslo, calling at Södertälje Syd, Katrineholm, Hallsberg, Degerfors, Kristinehamn, Karlstad and Arvika before crossing the border to Norway, calling at Kongsvinger and finally Oslo S. From December 2018 onward, the X 2000 trains to Oslo have been temporarily replaced with loco-hauled stock and X55 Bombardier Regina express electric multiple units due to track work in Norway. A few X 2000 trains are used in services towards Karlstad.
*Stockholm–Malmö, with many trains continuing to Copenhagen, calling at Södertälje Syd, Norrköping, Linköping, Mjölby (occasionally), Nässjö, Alvesta, Älmhult (occasionally), Hässleholm, Lund and Malmö. Services to Copenhagen also call at , Copenhagen Central Station and (usually). For a short period during 2010–2011, there was one daily train to/from Odense.
*Gothenburg–Malmö, where one of the daily round trips uses the X 2000.

2008 new high-speed trains

In 2008 SJ ordered 20 X55 Bombardier Regina trains with four coaches to replace the X 2000 on lines with lower demand and where its performance cannot be fully utilised (especially on lines north of Stockholm such as the Botniabanan).
When these trains were delivered in 2012 and 2013 the X 2000 trains could be concentrated to fewer lines with bigger demands such as Stockholm–Malmö/Copenhagen and Stockholm–Gothenburg, using double-length X 2000 between Stockholm and Gothenburg during rush hours and weekends.

Facilities

There is a bistro on board that serves snack bar-style dishes. From 1995 second class was introduced. All trains are equipped with Wi-Fi for passenger access to the Internet. The trains also have electric power supply sockets at all seats in both first and second class. The trains have been fitted with repeaters to improve mobile phone reception.

Appearance and renovations

Original Appearance

In its original appearance, the X 2000's carriages, constructed from stainless steel, were partially painted with blue and dark grey stripes. The rounded fronts, made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, were painted white.
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First renovation

Around 2005, the X 2000 underwent its first major renovation. During this update, electrical outlets were added to each seat, the upholstery was replaced, and the trains were equipped with Wi-Fi. The exterior was also repainted in grey , which became the standard look for most SJ trains.
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Second renovation

In January 2014, SJ announced that it was to invest 3.5 billion SEK in the modernisation and repowering of its X 2000 fleet, in order to extend the life of the trains by 20–25 years. SJ stated that the refurbishment of the trains would cost one third of the price of replacing them with new trains, whilst also having a reduced environmental impact.

ABB, whose predecessor ASEA designed and built the trains, were awarded the contract to replace the trains' traction converters, transformers, battery chargers, train control systems, and passenger information and entertainment equipment.

Additionally to the technical improvements, the new refurbished X 2000s feature a new livery with a dark grey front, as well as a rebuilt interior with new seats allowing for 15% higher seating capacity, new walls, ceilings, floors and lighting, and a rebuilt bistro. The new interiors were awarded a Red Dot Design Award in 2020, with the jury stating:

"With its perfectly harmonised colours and materials, the interior for the SJ X2000 ichigh-speed train creates a particularly pleasant atmosphere. The elaboration in detail and the lighting concept create a peaceful ambience in the train compartment."

The refurbished trains were originally scheduled to start introduction in 2019, however the first refurbished set started operation in November 2021.

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Effect on the railway

The train has had a major effect on SJ and the country's railway. More passengers, together with the lower operating costs associated with operating trains faster and more efficiently, helped SJ become profitable.

It also proved to Swedes that rail is a viable solution not just in exotic densely populated foreign countries, but also at home in Sweden. In 1991, the Swedish government started a massive investment program, spending 5–10 billion kronor annually on improvements to the rail network. The program continues today. A milestone was reached in the late 1990s when the number of trips taken by train in Sweden exceeded the 1940s level for the first time.

New links built since 1990 include the Øresund Bridge, the Arlanda Airport link, Södertälje–Huddinge, Söderhamn– EnÃ¥nger, Varberg–Kungsbacka and Helsingborg–Lund. The X 2000 train contributed to building public support for these large projects.

However, between 2000–2008, the Stockholm–Malmö routing became increasingly congested due to an increase in traffic on that routing - a mix of fast express trains, slower stopping trains and freight trains - to the point that the fastest 2008 services averaged 21min longer than the fastest 2000 services.

Exports

The manufacturer of the X 2000 had tried to sell the train to countries other than Sweden, but with little success. In connection with the sales attempts the train was tested and demonstrated in some countries. Norway, Finland, Germany, Austria, France, China, Australia, Portugal and the US were mentioned as candidates.

An X 2000 toured the United States in 1992–1993 on lease to Amtrak. It was tested by Amtrak from October 1992 until January 1993. It was used in revenue service on the Northeast Corridor between New Haven, CT and Washington DC, via New York City, for about five months, from February until May and from August until September 1993. From May until July it was taken on a national tour around the 48 continental states for demonstration stops at significant stations. It also toured parts of Canada.

In 1995, three X 2000 cars (SJ2819, SJ2620 and SJ2520) were hired by Australian operator CountryLink for evaluation purposes, being one driving trailer, one bistro car and one first class car. The trains were towed in a push/pull mode by modified XPT power cars XP2000 and XP2009. After conducting a statewide tour of New South Wales in March 1995, they were used on Sydney to Canberra services from April to June 1995. The X2 was also tested in Norway and Germany. There were competitors which had lower prices, including Pendolino and ICE T.

The Guangshen Railway Company in China leased and later purchased outright an X 2000 train which it named ''Xinshisu'' (New Speed). The train served as Guangzhou–Kowloon through train from 1998 until 2007 when it was replaced by the Regina-based CRH1. The train was initially supposed to have been given the number 2044, but due to the fact that the number "4" sounds similar to the word for "death" in the Chinese language, it was renumbered as 2088, of which the number "8" symbolises luck in Chinese culture. It was delivered to Sichuan Province in August 2007. Due to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Chengdu Railway Bureau needed to rebuild the railway networks in Sichuan Province. Also, the authority could not carry the maintenance costs of the train. It was therefore returned to the Guangshen Railway Company in late December 2008. In 2012 the train was purchased by SJ and repatriated back to Sweden. The train had some serious damage and deferred maintenance. The cab car (110986 CUB2XFK) has been cosmetically restored and repainted, losing its Chinese livery, and will be displayed at the Swedish Railway Museum when it reopens. The power car (2088 CX2) is currently used as a testbed for the ongoing refurbishment program, and the five intermediate trailers were repaired and re-entered service in 2020.

Technical

The X2 was designed for old main lines with tight curves and with continuously welded rails (the train has a maximum axle load of , which causes large forces on the track). However, since 1990 a lot of new high speed lines have been constructed in Sweden, both upgraded lines and new lines. These upgraded or new lines always have ATC, continuously welded rails on concrete sleepers and no crossings with road and rail at the same level. The tilting function is not used on these lines.

The max power continuous output of the power car is , which is comparatively low for a fast train. It also enabled SJ to say that it does not consume more power at than older Rc-locomotive hauled trains at .

The X2 trains have mostly run at the X 2000 service level, but have periodically been used for Linx traffic (2000–2004) as well as regional services, for which fewer coaches were used to improve acceleration. All X2 trains are maintained at Hagalund depot in Stockholm and Olskroken depot located just before Gothenburg Central Station.

Technical data X2 power car

Technical data X2 passenger coachesSpec Sheet
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Each train also has a UB2X coach with a driver's place, and a URB2 coach with a simple restaurant.

In the beginning there were many more UA2 first class coaches than UB2 second class coaches. But after a decision that state employees should normally use second class for train journeys in their works instead of first class, something many companies followed, many UA2 have been rebuilt into UB2.

See also

* Rail transport in Europe
* High-speed rail in Europe

References

External links

*
Spec Sheet; French

{{Multiple units of China Railway

Adtranz multiple units
High-speed trains of China
High-speed trains of Sweden
Passenger trains running at least at 200 km/h in commercial operations
X2
Electric multiple units of China
Tilting trains
Train-related introductions in 1989
Electric multiple units with locomotive-like power cars
25 kV AC multiple units
15 kV AC multiple units