Engineering:X 2000

Short description: Swedish high-speed tilting trainset

X2
X2 train operated by SJ in Jonsered, Sweden
Manufacturer	ABB, Adtranz, ASEA and Kalmar Verkstad
Built at	Västerås (ABB, electrical part), Kalmar (mechanical part)
Family name	X2000 (only one trainset exported)
Constructed	1989–1998
Entered service	4 September 1990
Refurbished	2003–2007; 2019–2021
Number built	43 (44 with Xinshisu)
Formation	1 locomotive & 5 or 6 coaches
Fleet numbers	2001 – 2043 (SJ), 2088 (Xinshisu trainset)
Capacity	Seated passengers: 76 (business class saloon) 51 (first class saloon)
Operator(s)	SJ
Depot(s)	Hagalund Gothenburg Central Station
Line(s) served	Stockholm Central Station to Gothenburg Central Station Stockholm Central Station to Malmö Central Station Stockholm Central Station to Sundsvall Central Station Stockholm Central Station to Strömstad Central Station (Seasonal) Stockholm Central Station to Oslo Central Station (Seasonal)
Specifications
Car body construction	Corrugated stainless steel
Car length	Locomotive: 17,750 mm (58 ft 2 7⁄8 in) Coach, over couplers: 24,950 mm (81 ft 10 1⁄4 in) Coach body: 24,400 mm (80 ft 5⁄8 in)
Width	3,050 mm (10 ft 0 in)
Height	3,814 mm (12 ft 6 1⁄8 in)
Floor height	Coach: 1,264 mm (49 3⁄4 in)
Wheel diameter	Locomotive: 1,100 mm (43.31 in) Coach: 880 mm (34.65 in)
Wheelbase	Bogie 2,900 mm (114.17 in) bogie centres of locomotive 8,975 mm (29 ft 5 3⁄8 in) bogie centers of coaches 17,700 mm (58 ft 7⁄8 in)
Maximum speed	200 km/h (120 mph) (in service)
Weight	Locomotive: 73 t (72 long tons; 80 short tons) coach, tare: 47 t (46 long tons; 52 short tons)
Axle load	17.5 t (17.2 long tons; 19.3 short tons)
Power output	3,260 kW (4,370 hp)
Tractive effort	Locomotive: 160 kN (36,000 lbf) max. 107 kN (24,000 lbf) cont. @108 km/h (67 mph) 110 kN (25,000 lbf) braking from 130 km/h (81 mph) to 0 km/h (0 mph)
Train heating	Yes
Electric system(s)	Template:15 kV AC catenary 25 kV 50 Hz AC catenary
Current collection method	Pantograph
Braking system(s)	Loco: brake shoe on rim (air) and regenerative brake Coach: disc brake and magnetic brake
Safety system(s)	ATC-2, ZUB 123
Coupling system	Automatic (which type?)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

X2 at Graversfors

An SJ 2000 of SJ AB, photographed on 5 February 2005

Modernised (2003–2007) second class interior

X 2000, also called SJ X2 or simply as X2, is a tilting train operated by SJ in Sweden. It was constructed by Kalmar Verkstad in Kalmar, Sweden (prior to the company being bought by Adtranz in 1996) and 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. 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 and were repainted grey as of 2005. 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.

It has a top commercial speed of 200 km/h (120 mph), but has reached 276 km/h (171 mph) in a test. The reason the X2 was chosen was that Sweden (like most other countries) has very curved railways, and not enough traffic to justify building special high-speed railway lines (at least before 1990). As a result, a Swedish tilting train had to be developed. A tilting train provided the advantages of high speed and comfort for the passengers, as tilting trains can run through sharp (short radius or tight) curves up to 15% faster than non-tilting trains. The X2 was designed and built by ASEA (later ABB Asea Brown Boveri, Adtranz ABB Daimler Benz Transportation and now Bombardier Transportation). SJ ordered 20 trainsets in August 1986 and planned to order further 30 trainsets. However, this figure was later reduced to only 43 trainsets.

Name

"X 2000" was originally a brand name for a number of train connections with a certain service level. Generally the X2 train is used, but because of lack of vehicles, sometimes (especially in 2009/2010) other train types have been used, like X40 or Rc loco-hauled stock. Since December 2011, all high speed services of SJ using X2 or X55 trains are called SJ Snabbtåg (lit. "SJ High-speed train").

Speed

The train's designated top speed is 210 km/h (130 mph). It reached 276 km/h (171 mph) during a trial run with double locomotive units in 1993. The maximum speed allowed in regular traffic is 200 km/h (120 mph) 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 150 km/h (93 mph). The fastest part is Katrineholm–Skövde, a distance of 180 km (110 mi) that is covered in 1h 2min, resulting in an average speed of 174.2 km/h (108.2 mph). However the introduction of the new Stadler FLIRT X74 trains in 2015 for MTR Express, which competes with the X 2000 on the busy Stockholm–Gothenburg route, means that the X 2000 now has at most only a 9% theoretical speed advantage compared to the X74, making it unlikely for any new tilting trains to be introduced in Sweden in the future.

Lines and services

Former lines and services

• In 2000–2004, seven trains were operated by Linx on the lines 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, X2000 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.

Current lines and services

• Stockholm–Gothenburg, calling at Södertälje Syd, Katrineholm or Hallsberg, Skövde, Herrljunga (occasionally), Alingsås (occasionally) and Gothenburg. Since 2015 MTR Express competes with SJ on this route.
• 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 until 2022 the X2000 trains to Oslo are replaced with loco-hauled stock due to track work in Norway. A few X2000 trains are used in services towards Karlstad.
• Stockholm–Malmö, with many trains continuing to Copenhagen, calling at Södertälje Syd, Norrköping, Linköping, Mjölby and/or Tranås (occasionally), Nässjö, Alvesta, Älmhult (occasionally), Hässleholm, Lund and Malmö. Services to Copenhagen also call at Copenhagen Airport, Copenhagen Central Station and Østerport (usually). For a short period during 2010–2011, there was one daily train to/from Odense.

New high-speed trains

In 2008 SJ ordered 20 X55 Bombardier Regina trains 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.

Impact on the railway

An X 2000 in original livery used for a direct connection between Stockholm, Sweden, and Copenhagen, Denmark, across the Øresund Bridge. Picture taken at Copenhagen Central Station, in September 2005

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–Enånger, Varberg–Kungsbacka and Helsingborg–Lund. The X 2000 train contributed to building public support for these large projects.

The fast-growing popularity of the trains has created problems with capacity. The time taken for the X 2000 trains were longer in 2008 than in 2000. For Stockholm–Malmö the fastest train took 21 minutes longer in 2008 compared to 2000. It is the congestion on the railways that impedes the fast trains, especially the prioritised fastest connections. The railways are used by fast X 2000 trains, slower passenger trains, and much slower freight trains.

Exports

X 2000 "Xinshisu" in China (2006)

Preserved "Xinshisu" power car (2088) at the Swedish Railway Museum, September 2012

The manufacturer of the X 2000 had tried to sell the train to countries other than Sweden, but with mixed 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 York City and Washington, D.C. 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 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. An X2 train was also loaned to the American rail operator Amtrak in 1992-93 and to the Australian State Rail Authority of New South Wales for its CountryLink services in 1995 for evaluation, but neither operator bought any X2 trains. The X2 was also tested in Norway and Germany. There were competitors which had lower price, including Pendolino and ICE T.

China did purchase a X 2000 train which it named "Xinshisu" (New Speed). The train served as Guangzhou-Kowloon Through Train on the Guangshen Railway from 1998 until 2007. The train was initially supposed to been given the number 2044, but due to the fact that the number "4" sounds the same as 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 when it was replaced by an CRH1A. 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 Guangshen Railway Company in late December 2008. In 2012 the train was purchased by SJ and shipped back to Sweden. The train had some serious damage and deferred maintenance. The trailer cab (110986 CUB2XFK) were scrapped after being display at the Swedish Railway Museum. The power car (2088 CX2) and five of the trailer cars (110987 through 110991 CUBS2FK) 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 17 tonnes (16.7 long tons; 18.7 short tons), 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 locomotive is 3,260 kW (4,370 hp), which is comparatively low for a fast train. It also enabled SJ to say that it does not consume more power at 200 km/h (120 mph) than older Rc- locomotive hauled trains at 130 km/h (81 mph).

The X2 trains have mostly run at the X 2000 service level, but have periodically been used for Linx traffic (from 2000–2004) as well as regional services, for which fewer coaches were used to improve acceleration.

Technical data X2 locomotive

General
Operator	SJ
Manufacturing year	1989–1998
Number of manuf.	43
Supplier mechanical part	KVAB
Supplier electrical part	Asea/ABB
Axle arr	Bo-Bo
Weight	73 t
Axle load	17.5 t
Max tractive eff	160 kN
Max speed	210 km/h
Body
Length	17,750 mm
Bogie distance	8,975 mm
Height over pantograph	x,xxx mm
Body width	x,xxx mm
Coupling	automatic which type?
Surface	corrugated stainless steel
Colour	silver
Bogies
Track width	1,435 mm
Axle distance	2,900 mm
Wheel diameter,new	1,100 mm
Primary suspension	rubber pad
Secondary suspension	coil
Brake	shoe, regenerative
Bogie Weight	NA
Min hor radius	NA
Electrical equipment
Catenary voltage	15 kV / 25 kV (dual voltage variants)
Catenary frequency	16 2/3 Hz / 50 Hz (dual voltage variants)
Max cont power	3.26 MW
Traction motor	MJA 385-2
Max power trainheating	360 kW

Technical data X2 passenger coaches

	UB2	UA2
General
Operator	SJ	SJ
Type of coach	second class saloon	first class saloon
Manufacturer	KVAB, Asea	KVAB, Asea
Manufact year	1989-xxxx	1989-xxxx
Tare Weight	47 t	47 t
Manufact country	Sweden	Sweden
Number of manufact	NA	NA
Max allow. speed	200 km/h	200 km/h
Body
Length	24,950 mm	24,950 mm
Body length	24,400 mm	24,400 mm
Bogie distance	17,700 mm	17,700 mm
Body height	3,814 mm	3,814 mm
Body width	3,050 mm	3,050 mm
Floor height	1,264 mm	1,264 mm
Body material	stainless steel	stainless steel
Type of coupling	short (?)	short (?)
Colour	silver	silver
Type of entrance door	slide door, plug	slide door, plug
Bogies	NA
Bogie Mark	NA	NA
Track gauge	1,435 mm	1,435 mm
Axle distance	2,900 mm	2,900 mm
Wheel diameter- new	880 mm	880 mm
Primary suspension	rubber pad	rubber pad
Secondary suspension	air	air
Brake	disk- & magnetic rail	disk- & magnetic rail
No of disks per axle	2	2
Bogie weight	NA	NA
Electrical equipment
Train heating voltage	3 x 380 V 50 Hz	3 x 380 V 50 Hz
No of phases	3-phase	3-phase
Air conditioning	yes	yes
Interior
Floor plan	saloon	saloon
No of seats	76 seats	51 seats
Seats abreast	2 + 2	2 + 1
Seat distance	95 cm	105 cm

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

• List of high speed trains

Further reading

• Harris, Nigel (16–29 July 1997). "Easier than flying, faster than the train...". RAIL (EMAP Apex Publications) (309): 34–38. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699. 

External links

• YouTube clip of passing X2000 train
• Spec Sheet; French