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 Krösa, which operate procured regional services in various parts of Sweden. Since 2020 SJ Norge has operated regional services in Norway on behalf Jernbanedirektoratet. In 2025, SJ carried almost 1.5 million passengers in August 2025.
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 (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 (Södra Stambanan). 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, 36 X2 sets are in operation. Since 2021 the X2 fleet has been undergoing refurbishment, due for completion in 2026.
X55 (SJ 3000)
The X55 (operated by SJ as SJ 3000) is an electric multiple unit 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).
X40
The X40 is a variant of the French Coradia Duplex double-decker electric multiple unit built by Alstom used for regional services, launched in 2006. It typically serves shorter routes such as Stockholm Central–Gävle Central. 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 is mostly composed of second-class seating, with a small first class section, although the seats do not differ between first and second. The only exception being more legroom on refurbished units. All 27 three-car units are currently undergoing refurbishment by VR FleetCare in Oulu, due to be complete in 2027. With options to refurbish two-car units later.
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 (X250)
25 high-speed Zefiro Express high-speed trains (SJ X250), 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. The trains are constructed in China and finalised at the Alstom plant in Hennigsdorf, Germany. The first units started testing in 2026 in Germany, and are expected to enter service in December 2027 on the according to Petter Essén, Head of Strategic Planning at SJ.
CAF Civity Nordic (X45) 25 CAF Civity Nordic (SJ X45), 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, the first units were expected to arrive in Sweden for testing in 2025 and enter revenue service in 2026. The project is as of April 2026 running one year behind schedule and will be delivered in autumn 2027.
Summary table 2021 Image Type Class In fleetOn order Usage Notes Electric locomotive SJ Rc6 109 Night-train, Intercity, Regional SJ units painted black, Trafikverket night train units painted in red and silver. Electric multiple unit SJ X2 36 (Complete sets) High-speed (X 2000) Under refurbishment. Trains with a black front are refurbished trains. Electric multiple unit SJ X55 20 High-speed (SJ 3000) Used on high-speed lines to northern Sweden (Sundsvall and Umeå), Karlstad, Oslo and Borås from Stockholm, as well as Gothenburg-Malmö. Electric multiple unit SJ X40 42 (15 two car units, 27 three car units) Regional The X40 trainsets come in both 2-car and 3-car variations. 27 X40 trainsets (3 car variation) are being refurbished. SJ has the option to refurbish the 15 (or 16?) X40 2 car trainsets.Electric multiple unitSJ X25025High-speedExpected to enter revenue service in 2027 on the Stockholm–Gothenburg corridor.Electric multiple unitSJ X4525RegionalExpected to enter revenue service in 2027 on the Stockholm–Västerås and Linköping–Gävle corridors
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 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:
Trains for Norrland Route Train number Calling at Umeå C or Duved toStockholm C or Gothenburg C 60/64/67/69/70/71/72/73/74/77/79 Duved portion:Åre, Undersåker, Järpen, Krokom, Östersund C, Bräcke, Ånge, Sundsvall C Umeå portion:Umeå Östra, Nordmaling, Örnsköldsvik C, Kramfors, Härnösand, Sundsvall CThe two portions divide/attach at Sundsvall Central. Stockholm portion (all stops set-down only): Hudiksvall, Söderhamn, Gävle C, Uppsala C, Arlanda C Gothenburg portion (all stops set-down only):Örebro C, Hallsberg, Skövde C, Herrljunga Main Line South Route Train number Calling at Malmö C to Stockholm C 1/2 Hässleholm, Alvesta, Nässjö C, Linköping C, Norrköping C SJ EuroNight Route Train number Calling at Stockholm C to Berlin Hbf 345/346 Stockholm C, Norrköping C, Linköping C, Nässjö C, Alvesta, Hässleholm, Lund C, 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: Dalarna Route tpd Calling at Stock Stockholm C to Mora via Borlänge C 2 Arlanda C (pickup only), Uppsala C (pickup only), Sala, Avesta Krylbo, Hedemora, Säter, Borlänge C, Djurås, Gagnef, Insjön, Leksand, Tällberg, Rättvik, Mora Rc6 Stockholm C to Falun C via Borlänge C 2 Arlanda C (pickup only), Uppsala C (pickup only), Sala, Avesta Krylbo, Hedemora, Säter, Borlänge C Main Line North Route tpd Calling at Stock Stockholm C to Östersund C and Duved 2 Arlanda C (pickup only), Uppsala C (pickup only), Gävle C, Bollnäs, Järvsö, Ljusdal, Ånge, Bräcke, Östersund C, Krokom, Järpen, Undersåker, Åre, Duved Rc6 or X55 Värmland and Norway Route tpd Calling at Stock Stockholm C to Karlstad C and Oslo S 3 Södertälje South, Katrineholm, Hallsberg, Degerfors, Kristinehamn, Karlstad C, Arvika, Kongsvinger Rc6 or X55 Route tph Calling at Stock East Coast Line / South Main Line Gävle C to Linköping C 1 Tierp, Uppsala C, Arlanda C, Stockholm C, Flemingsberg, Södertälje South, Norrköping CLimited 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.
In Feb 2026, Västtrafik, Hallandstrafiken and Jönköpings Länstrafik awarded SJ an 11-year contract to continue operating the Västtågen regional train system from 12 December 2027.
Routes listed below are the satellite routes which are not subject to franchising.
SJ Regionaltåg Route tph Calling at Stock Stockholm C to Hallsberg and Gothenburg C via Västerås 2 Sundbyberg, Bålsta, Enköping, Västerås C, Köping, Arboga, Örebro C, Örebro South, Kumla, Hallsberg, Laxå, Töreboda, Skövde C, Falköping C, Herrljunga, Vårgårda, Alingsås X40 Gothenburg C to Karlstad C via Åmål 1tp2h Trollhättan, Öxnered, Mellerud, Åmål, Säffle, Grums, Kil X52 Gothenburg C to Kalmar C 4tpd Borås C, 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.