The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) has placed an order with Spanish manufacturer Talgo for 10 locomotives and 162 carriages to operate night train services to upper Norrland, according to multiple reports. The total procurement cost is 8.2 billion SEK, which includes the vehicles and 10 years of maintenance. The trains are designed to withstand temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius and harsh winter conditions, making them suitable for the demanding climate of northern Sweden.
There was initial confusion over the number of carriages ordered. Trafikverket first stated that the order was for 91 carriages, but Talgo announced 162 carriages. Trafikverket later confirmed that the correct number is 162, according to major media reports. The actual order consists of eleven night train groups with nine carriages each, and nine day train groups with seven carriages each, plus ten locomotives. The total vehicle budget is 5.2 billion SEK, resulting in a price per carriage of around 29 million SEK. The discrepancy between the 8.2 billion SEK total procurement cost and the 5.2 billion SEK vehicle budget likely reflects the inclusion of maintenance costs in the larger figure.
I think it's early to make that assessment, but we are moving away from sharing a compartment with six people today. From a comfort perspective, this will be better.
The new trains will feature various compartment solutions, including family compartments and premium compartments with private showers, according to major media reports. They will have four-bed compartments, premium compartments with two beds, and single-bed compartments. According to SVT Nyheter, Rikard Granlund, Result Unit Manager at Trafikverket, described the upgrade as a huge improvement in comfort and noise level, comparing it to the difference between a car from 40 years ago and a modern car. The trains are designed to be flexible and durable for 30-40 years, according to major media reports. Roberto Maiorana, Director General of Trafikverket, said in a press release that the new night trains are designed to be flexible and durable for 30–40 years, meaning they can be adapted to future needs, new traffic arrangements, and changing demands from travelers, business, and total defense.
The current three-bed sleepers and six-bed couchettes will be phased out, according to major media reports. Trafikverket requires the operator to run at least one daily round trip Stockholm–Narvik and one daily round trip Stockholm–Umeå. The risk distribution in the new solution means Trafikverket takes greater responsibility for the aging carriage fleet, according to major media reports. Lennart Kalander, Deputy Head of Department at Trafikverket, said in a press release that in the new solution, the risk distribution is adjusted so that Trafikverket takes greater responsibility for the aging carriage fleet, which gives bidders the conditions to submit competitive bids.
With the new night trains, Sweden takes an important step towards modern, sustainable, and future-proof night train traffic that strengthens the country's competitiveness, cohesion, and climate transition.
Train expert Mark Smith, operator of The Man in Seat 61, is critical of the Swedish purchase. According to Aftonbladet, Smith described the compartment solutions as likely to deter price-sensitive passengers. He noted that night trains are making a comeback in some parts of Europe, but said the odds are against night trains due to fewer passengers, long shifts, and competition from subsidized air travel. According to Aftonbladet, Smith described how night trains used to be everywhere but some disappeared in the 1990s because high-speed trains made them redundant. He also noted that while nobody cared about sharing compartments in the 1950s, in 2026 people do not want to lie down in a bed in a room with strangers, and expressed regret that Sweden did not consider this when placing the order. In response, according to Aftonbladet, Roberto Maiorana described the assessment as premature, noting that the new trains move away from sharing a compartment with six people and will offer better comfort.
The award decision can be appealed for another ten days, according to major media reports. Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson said at a press conference that the new trains are modern, robust, and future-proof night train traffic for a long time to come. Roberto Maiorana said in a press release that with the new night trains, Sweden takes an important step towards modern, sustainable, and future-proof night train traffic that strengthens the country's competitiveness, cohesion, and climate transition.
The new night trains are designed to be flexible and durable for 30–40 years. This means they can be adapted to future needs, new traffic arrangements, and changing demands from travelers, business, and total defense.
It will be a huge upgrade. 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.
They are specified for minus 40 degrees.
They were made a long time ago to transport conscripts. With this we will be able to offer four-bed compartments and premium compartments with two beds and a single-bed compartment.