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X 2000

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This article is about the Swedish high speed train. For the 1998 movie from Fidélité Productions, see X2000.

X 2000
Refurbished X2 train at Stockholm Central Station
ManufacturerABB, Adtranz, ASEA and Kalmar Verkstad
Built atVästerås (ABB, electrical part), Kalmar (mechanical part)
Constructed1989–1998
Entered service4 September 1990
Refurbished2003–2007; 2019– [1]
Number built44
Formation1 power car + 4 or 5 intermediate coaches + 1 control coach
Fleet numbersSJ: 2001–2043, Xinshisu: 2088
CapacitySeated passengers:
51 (1st class coach)
72 (2nd class coach)
28+18 (2nd class coach + bistro)
41 (2nd class cab coach)
OperatorsSJ
DepotsHagalund
Olskroken Train Depot
Lines servedStockholm to Gothenburg
Stockholm to Malmö
Stockholm to Strömstad (Seasonal)
Stockholm to Oslo (Seasonal)
Gothenburg to Malmö
Specifications
Car body constructionCorrugated stainless steel
Train length139.310 m (457 ft 5⁄8 in) (6 cars)
164.260 m (538 ft 10+7⁄8 in) (7 cars)
Car lengthPower car, over couplers: 17.6 m (57 ft 8+7⁄8 in)
Power car body: 16,980 mm (55 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Coach, over couplers: 24,950 mm (81 ft 10+1⁄4 in)
Coach body: 24.40 m (80 ft 5⁄8 in)
Cab coach, over couplers: 22.6 m (74 ft 1+3⁄4 in)
Cab coach body: 21,980 mm (72 ft 1+3⁄8 in)
Width3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
Height3.814 m (12 ft 6+1⁄8 in)
Floor heightCoach: 1.26 m (49+5⁄8 in)
Wheel diameterPower car: 1,100 mm (43.31 in)
Coach: 880 mm (34.65 in)
WheelbaseBogie 2.90 m (114.17 in)
bogie centres of power car 8,975 mm (29 ft 5+3⁄8 in)
bogie centers of coaches 17,700 mm (58 ft 7⁄8 in)
bogie centers of cab coach 14,500 mm (47 ft 6+7⁄8 in)
Maximum speed200 km/h (124 mph) (in service)
210 km/h (130 mph) (designed)
276 km/h (171 mph) (record)
WeightPower car: 73 t (72 long tons; 80 short tons)
Coach, tare: 47 t (46 long tons; 52 short tons)
Coach with bistro, tare: 49 t (48 long tons; 54 short tons)
Control coach, tare: 55 t (54 long tons; 61 short tons)
Axle load17.5 t (17.2 long tons; 19.3 short tons)
Power output3,260 kW (4,370 hp)
Tractive effortPower car: 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)
HVACYes
Electric system(s)15 kV  16.7 Hz AC catenary
25 kV 50 Hz AC catenary
Current collector(s)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 systemAutomatic (which type?)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

X 2000, also called SJ X2 or simply as X2, is an electric 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 (124 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. SJ ordered 20 sets in August 1986 and planned to order a further 30. In the end 43 sets were built for SJ while one was built for the Guangshen Railway Company, China.

Name

X 2000 at Graversfors in June 2011
X 2000 passing through Jonsered in January 2007
Modernised (2003–2007) second class interior

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 previously been used, like X40 or Rc loco-hauled stock. After the introduction of the X55 in 2012 to replace the X2 on smaller routes such as Stockholm-Sundsvall, other train types are very rarely used on these lines. 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 power car units in 1993. The maximum speed allowed in regular traffic is 200 km/h (124 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 1 hour and 2 minutes, resulting in an average speed of 174.2 km/h (108 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, meant 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.[2]

SJ considered configuring the trainset with a sixth trailing car and creating a set of 12 trailer cars using a second power car. The trainset can stop in 1.1 kilometres (0.68 miles) from a top speed of 200 km/h.[3]

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, X 2000 services were suspended on a number of routes and reduced on others.

Current lines and services

2008 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.

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.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6]

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 [sic] high-speed train creates a particularly pleasant atmosphere. The elaboration in detail and the lighting concept create a peaceful ambience in the train compartment."[7]

The refurbished trains were originally scheduled to start introduction in 2019, however the first refurbished set started operation in November 2021.[8]

Effect on the railway

An X 2000 in original livery 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

Guangshen Railway Company X 2000 in China in 2006
Preserved Guangshen Railway Company power car 2088 (since scrapped) at the Swedish Railway Museum in 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.[9] 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 DC for about five months, from February until May and from August until September 1993.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12][13][14] The X2 was also tested in Norway and Germany. There were competitors which had lower price, including Pendolino and ICE T.

The Guangshen Railway Company, 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.[15] The train was initially supposed to 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.[16] 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 the Guangshen Railway Company in late December 2008. In 2012 the train was purchased by SJ and repatriated back to Sweden.[17][18] The train had some serious damage and deferred maintenance. The trailer cabs (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.[19]

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 power car 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 (124 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 (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

General
Operator SJ
Manufacturing year 1989–1998
Number of manuf. 43
Supplier mechanical part Kalmar Verkstad
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 17.6 m
Body length 16.98 m
Bogie distance 8.98 m
Height over pantograph
Body width
Coupling automatic
Surface corrugated stainless steel
Colour silver
Bogies
Track gauge 1,435 mm Standard gauge
Axle distance 2.90 m
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[20]

UA2 UB2 URB2 UBX2
General
Operator SJ
Manufacturer Kalmar Verkstad, ASEA
Manufacturing year 1989–?
Manufacturing country Sweden
Number of manufact NA
Type of coach first class saloon second class saloon second class saloon + bistro second class saloon + driver's cab
Tare Weight 47 t 47 t 49 t 55 t
Max allow. speed 200 km/h
Body
Length 24.95 m 22.6 m
Body length 24.40 m 21.98 m
Bogie distance 17.70 m 14.50 m
Body height 3.82 m
Body width 3.05 m
Floor height 1.26 m
Body material stainless steel
Type of coupling
Colour silver
Type of entrance door slide door, plug
Bogies
Bogie Mark NA
Track gauge 1,435 mm
Axle distance 2.90 m
Wheel diameter- new 880 mm
Primary suspension rubber pad
Secondary suspension air
Brake disk & magnetic rail
No of disks per axle 2
Bogie weight NA
Electrical equipment
Train heating voltage 3 × 380 V, 50 Hz
No of phases 3
Air conditioning yes
Interior
Floor plan saloon saloon + driver's cab
No of seats (before renovation)[21] 51 seats 72 seats 28 seats + 18 bistro seats 41 seats
No of seats (after renovation)[22] 54 seats 74 seats 28 seats + 16 bistro seats 40 seats
Seats abreast 2 + 1 2 + 2
Seat distance 105 cm 95 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.

References

  1. ^ "Läs om renoveringen av snabbtåget X 2000 – SJ".
  2. ^ "Tågutmanare får ta kurvorna snabbare".
  3. ^ "Safety relevant observations on the X2000 train as developed for the Swedish National Railways" (PDF). U.S. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration. 1990. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  4. ^ "SJ to reintroduce first refurbished X2000 EMU". International Railway Journal. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  5. ^ AndyBrabin (24 June 2020). "Swedish Railways X2000 Refurbishment". AndyBTravels. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  6. ^ "SJ awards ABB contract to replace electrics on X2000 fleet". International Railway Journal. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Train Coach Interior SJ X2000".
  8. ^ "Häng med på premiärtur med nya X2000". www.mitti.se (in Swedish). 16 November 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  9. ^ X-2000 on NEC Modern Railways issue 530 November 1992 page 619
  10. ^ USA tests Euro trains Rail issue 193 3 February 1993 page 34
  11. ^ Vantuono, William C. (June 1993). "Touring the Empire Corridor with the X 2000 - high-speed train starts cross-country tour in New York State". Railway Age. Archived from the original on 15 February 2006. Retrieved 31 July 2006.
  12. ^ X2000 heads south Railway Gazette International December 1994 page 777
  13. ^ "So why do you call it a tilt train?" Railway Digest July 1995
  14. ^ Beckhaus, John (January 1995), "The X2 Tilt Train", Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, pp. 15–17
  15. ^ World Update Railway Age June 1998 page 24
  16. ^ "Vagnguide - Motorvagn X2 - järnväg.net".
  17. ^ X2 2088 arrives from China Today's Railways Europe issue 202 October 2012 page 53
  18. ^ Chinese X2000 in Sweden Today's Railways Europe issue 203 November 2012 page 56
  19. ^ SJ2000 sets to be refurbished Today's Railways Europe issue 219 March 2014 page 54
  20. ^ Spec Sheet
  21. ^ SJ X2000
  22. ^ X2000, Sweden's fastest train, has been renovated
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