Alstom has won a two-year contract to maintain the night trains operated by SJ between Stockholm and northern Sweden. The agreement, valued at tens of millions of EUR, covers nearly 90 rail vehicles, including locomotives and railcars.
Alstom, the French rolling stock manufacturer and rail services provider, has secured a maintenance contract for the night trains in Sweden operated by SJ, Sweden’s state-owned passenger rail operator.
The contract has a duration of two years and was awarded following a procedure conducted by Trafikverket, the Swedish transport authority responsible, among other things, for the railway infrastructure.
The agreement is worth tens of millions of EUR and includes nearly 90 railcars, including sleeper cars, passenger cars, and locomotives.
Night Trains to Umeå and Narvik
The trains covered by the contract primarily operate on two long-distance routes: Stockholm–Umeå and Stockholm–Narvik.
These connections play an important role in linking southern Sweden with the northern regions and the Scandinavian Arctic. The route to Narvik, a port city in northern Norway, is one of the best-known overnight rail connections in the region.
The fleet includes 12 locomotives and 75 railcars, primarily sleeper railcars and railcars for night services.
Alstom says that maintaining these trains requires a high level of specialization due to the technical complexity of the sleeper railcars, the onboard functions, and the age of the rolling stock.
“Reliable night train services depend on more than just maintenance: they require a strong local presence, long-term expertise regarding the assets, and continuous investment,” said Mikael Granberg, director of services for Alstom Sweden and Finland.
Maintenance in Northern Sweden
The work will be carried out primarily in Luleå, in northern Sweden, where Alstom has developed a significant base of expertise in rail maintenance.
The company says that teams in the region work with several generations of rolling stock, ranging from vehicles manufactured in the 1980s to modern trainsets and new locomotives.
Approximately 60 employees in Luleå, Umeå, and Kiruna are involved in maintenance activities.
The contract will be supported by FlexCare Perform solutions, Alstom’s package for maintenance services and rolling stock lifecycle management.
An important aspect of the work will be the proactive management of wear and technologically obsolete components. Alstom will develop and implement solutions for component replacement, refurbishment, and extending the service life of trains.
Northern Sweden, a Center for Railway Maintenance
Alstom views the contract as a step in the development of northern Sweden as a center of expertise for advanced rail maintenance and rolling stock lifecycle services.
“We have brought together extensive expertise in rail maintenance in northern Sweden, combining experience with older rolling stock and modern technology. Through these maintenance contracts, we are taking the next step in developing the region’s capacity and specialized expertise,” said Lisa Harlin, project and site manager at Alstom.
The company continues to invest in depots in northern Sweden, which are set to function as regional hubs for developing greater and more autonomous maintenance capacity.
Continued Partnership with SJ
SJ welcomed the continued collaboration with Alstom.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Alstom and look forward to working together to improve the travel experience for our customers,” said Arvid Fredman, Director of Rolling Stock at SJ.
For Alstom, the new contract strengthens the company’s position in the Nordic rail market, in a segment where maintenance is becoming increasingly important for keeping existing fleets in service.
Night trains remain an alternative to air travel
Night trains play an important role in Sweden, where distances are long and connections between the north and south of the country are essential for mobility.
These services offer a more sustainable alternative to domestic flights and long car trips, especially on routes where the train can provide overnight travel.
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