The Spanish company Talgo will manufacture 10 new locomotives and 91 carriages for night trains at a value of 5.5 billion kronor. According to major media reports, the total procurement cost is 8.2 billion kronor, including delivery of 10 locomotives, 91 carriages, and 10 years of maintenance with spare parts and special tools. The new night trains will operate in traffic from 2030. Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson stated at a press conference that they are modern, robust, and future-proof the night train traffic for a long time ahead.
The new trains are required to withstand minus 40 degrees Celsius. According to SVT Nyheter, Rikard Granlund, a result unit manager at Trafikverket, described the temperature requirement as essential for operations in Sweden's northern regions. Major media reports indicate the new night trains are constructed to be flexible and durable for 30–40 years. Roberto Maiorana, Director General of Trafikverket, emphasized in an official statement that the new night trains are constructed to be flexible and durable for 30–40 years, meaning they can be adapted to future needs.
It will be a huge boost. It will be a completely different comfort and noise level. It's like comparing a car from 40 years ago with today's modern cars.
The new trains will offer four-bed cabins, premium cabins with two beds, and single-bed cabins. Official sources indicate the current 3-bed sleeper carriages and 6-bed couchette carriages will be phased out. According to SVT Nyheter, Rikard Granlund described the transition, noting the old carriages were made a long time ago to transport conscripts, while the new configuration will provide modern accommodations. According to Aftonbladet, Roberto Maiorana described the change as an improvement from a comfort perspective.
Trafikverket requires the operator to run at least one daily double trip Stockholm–Narvik and one daily double trip Stockholm–Umeå, according to major media reports. This operational commitment ensures consistent service on key northern routes. The requirement aligns with broader efforts to enhance rail infrastructure in Sweden's less populated areas. These routes are critical for both passenger travel and freight logistics.
They are required for minus 40 degrees.
Trafikverket previously tried to procure new night trains but stopped the process because no bids met the requirements. In the new round, Trafikverket has adjusted the risk distribution so that Trafikverket takes greater responsibility for, among other things, the aged carriage fleet, according to major media reports. Lennart Kalander, an assistant department head at Trafikverket, explained in an official statement that in the new solution, the risk distribution is adjusted so Trafikverket takes greater responsibility for the aged carriage fleet, meaning bidders have conditions to submit competitive bids.
Night trains may be making a comeback in Europe, according to train expert Mark Smith, as reported by major media. According to Aftonbladet, Mark Smith described how night trains used to exist everywhere but some disappeared during the 1990s because high-speed trains made them redundant for short routes. However, he noted a resurgence in interest for longer overnight journeys where rail can compete with air travel.
They were made a long time ago to transport conscripts. With this, we will be able to offer four-bed cabins and premium cabins with two beds and a single-bed cabin.
Recent reductions in Swedish night train services have impacted current operations. SJ announced last autumn that the company will discontinue the night trains Stockholm–Hamburg–Berlin after the summer, according to major media reports. Trafikverket recently halved night train traffic to Norrbotten, as reported by major media. These cuts create a gap in service until the new trains launch in 2030. According to Aftonbladet, Mark Smith described such reductions as making passengers hesitant to take the night train.
The award decision can be appealed for another ten days, according to official sources. This appeal process could potentially delay the procurement if competitors challenge the contract award to Talgo. Such delays are common in large infrastructure projects and may affect the timeline for manufacturing and delivery.
It will make passengers hesitant to take the night train.
The new trains are expected to significantly enhance passenger comfort, though specific technical features that make them more comfortable and quieter remain unknown. According to SVT Nyheter, Rikard Granlund described the improvement as a huge boost, comparing it to upgrading from a 40-year-old car to a modern one. The exact noise reduction technologies and interior amenities have not been detailed publicly.
Ticket pricing for the new cabins compared to current fares is another unknown that will influence accessibility. Affordability is a key factor in making night trains a viable alternative to air travel. Trafikverket has not released pricing strategies, leaving questions about how the premium cabins and single-bed options will be marketed. According to Aftonbladet, Mark Smith described shared cabins as a potential deterrent, suggesting pricing must balance comfort with cost.
Night trains used to exist everywhere. Some disappeared during the 1990s because high-speed trains made them redundant. If it only takes three hours to get from Amsterdam to Paris, or from Paris to Geneva, then you don't need night trains.
The exact reasons why previous bids failed to meet requirements are not fully disclosed, though risk distribution was a factor. Trafikverket's adjustment to take greater responsibility for the aged carriage fleet addressed one major hurdle, but other technical or financial issues may have contributed. Understanding these failures helps contextualize the current procurement's design to avoid similar pitfalls.
The reduction in night train traffic to Norrbotten raises questions about how services will be maintained until 2030. This interim period may see increased reliance on alternative transport modes. Trafikverket has not specified mitigation measures, leaving uncertainty for passengers and businesses in affected areas. According to Piteå-Tidningen, Rikard Granlund described the agency's eagerness to replace current trains with modern ones.
The odds are against night trains.
Environmental benefits expected from the new trains compared to current ones or air travel are not quantified, but night trains generally offer lower carbon emissions per passenger. The shift from older, less efficient carriages to modern, durable trains could reduce energy consumption and pollution. Roberto Maiorana highlighted in an official statement that with the new night trains, Sweden takes an important step towards a modern, sustainable, and future-proof night train traffic.
Specific technical features for comfort and noise reduction, such as advanced suspension or soundproofing materials, have not been detailed. These elements are critical for passenger experience but remain unspecified in public announcements. According to Aftonbladet, Mark Smith described outdated shared cabins as a shame, implying that modern features must address privacy concerns.
No one cared in the 1950s, but in 2026 people don't want to lie in a bed in a room with strangers. It's a shame that Sweden didn't see that when they made the order.
Ticket pricing comparisons and affordability are uncertain, as Trafikverket has not released fare structures for the new cabin types. This affects how accessible the service will be to different demographic groups. Pricing strategies will need to balance operational costs with competitive rates against airlines and other transport options.
Reasons for past bid failures beyond risk distribution are not fully explained, though they likely involved technical specifications, cost overruns, or contractor capabilities. Trafikverket's adjustments in the new procurement suggest lessons learned, but the specific shortcomings remain opaque. According to Aftonbladet, Mark Smith described the odds as against night trains, highlighting the challenges in reviving such services.
I think it's too early to make that assessment, but we are moving away from sharing a cabin with six people today. From a comfort perspective, this will be better.
We want to emphasize that we are happy to replace the night trains we have today with new modern night trains.