X 2000

"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").

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.[2]

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.

X 2000 "Xinshisu" in China (2006)

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

The manufacturer of X 2000 has tried to sell the train to other countries 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.[3]

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 moden 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 1995 until June 1995.[4][5] 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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8][9] The train had some serious damage and maintenance was partially cancelled. The power car (2088 CX2) and the trailer cab (110986 CUB2XFK) were scrapped after being display at the Swedish Railway Museum. Five of the trailer cars (110987 through 110991 CUBS2FK) were repaired and re-entered service.[10]

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

Technical data X2 passenger coaches

Each train also have 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.

• List of high speed trains

• Harris, Nigel (16–29 July 1997). "Easier than flying, faster than the train...". RAIL. No. 309. EMAP Apex Publications. pp. 34–38. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699.

• Media related to ASEA X2 at Wikimedia Commons
• YouTube clip of passing X2000 train
• Spec Sheet; French