Ever since they were first introduced in 1990, the X 2000 trains operated by state-owned operator SJ have enjoyed the reputation of being amongst the world's most comfortable long-distance passenger trains. Early in 2014 SJ launched a modernization program costing SEK 3.5 billion (approx. €380 million) for its new X 2000 fleet. As part of the program, SJ has now commissioned Swedtrac RailService AB, a service subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse AG, to carry out an interior and exterior modernization of a total of 227 cars. Swedtrac is to equip the trains with new seats, floor, wall and ceiling coverings, internal doors, galleys, and toilets. The trains are also to receive a new, updated external livery.
"This modernization of our high-speed trains is our response to customers' increasing expectations regarding the quality of our rolling stock," commented Crister Fritzson, Managing Director and CEO of SJ AB. "We are reacting to growing passenger numbers partly by expanding our seating capacity by 15 per cent - but without making any concessions in terms of internal space and passenger comfort."
Micael Zetterquist, CEO of Swedtrac AB, expressed his pleasure at receiving this order: "These trains are extremely popular with both business travelers and tourists, and we are proud to have been given the task of modernizing them. It is an opportunity to demonstrate our outstanding capabilities, strong customer focus and high quality in the Scandinavian market."
In 2013, Knorr-Bremse, the world's leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, acquired Swedtrac, a specialist in the maintenance and modernization of trains. Global demand for such services is steadily growing, as the requirements made of rail vehicles can vary during their relatively long life cycle due to changed levels of comfort, higher technical specifications, new statutory regulations - and also changes in operators.
SJ AB is Sweden's biggest train operator, with a workforce of around 5,400. The state-owned company carries an average of 100,000 passengers every day from Narvik in the north to Copenhagen/ Denmark in the south.c
"This modernization of our high-speed trains is our response to customers' increasing expectations regarding the quality of our rolling stock," commented Crister Fritzson, Managing Director and CEO of SJ AB. "We are reacting to growing passenger numbers partly by expanding our seating capacity by 15 per cent - but without making any concessions in terms of internal space and passenger comfort."
Micael Zetterquist, CEO of Swedtrac AB, expressed his pleasure at receiving this order: "These trains are extremely popular with both business travelers and tourists, and we are proud to have been given the task of modernizing them. It is an opportunity to demonstrate our outstanding capabilities, strong customer focus and high quality in the Scandinavian market."
In 2013, Knorr-Bremse, the world's leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, acquired Swedtrac, a specialist in the maintenance and modernization of trains. Global demand for such services is steadily growing, as the requirements made of rail vehicles can vary during their relatively long life cycle due to changed levels of comfort, higher technical specifications, new statutory regulations - and also changes in operators.
SJ AB is Sweden's biggest train operator, with a workforce of around 5,400. The state-owned company carries an average of 100,000 passengers every day from Narvik in the north to Copenhagen/ Denmark in the south.c
