SJ X2

X2 is the Swedish high speed train system operated by the operator SJ (Swedish Railways) under the SJ 2000 brand name. 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). The drive unit for the X2 is designated as a multiple unit although since the drive unit does not carry any passengers it should be considered as a locomotive.

SJ ordered 20 trainsets in August 1986 and planned to order further 30 trainsets. However, this figure was later reduced to only 43 trainsets.

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).

Operation

modernised second class interior

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

Technical data X2 locomotive

Technical data X2 passenger coaches

Exports

Xinshisu trainset in China operated by Guangshen Railway Company (2006)

At the beginning, SJ believed there would be enormous numbers of exported X2-trains. Norway, Finland, Germany, Austria, France, China, Australia, Portugal and the US were mentioned as candidates. Only one X2-trainset was exported (China).

An X2 train was also loaned to the American rail operator Amtrak in 1992-93 and to the Australian operator Countrylink in 1995 for evaluation, but neither operator bought any X2- trains.^[1]

The X2 was also tested in Norway and Germany.

See also

• List of high speed trains
• X 2000

References

• Spec Sheet; French

External links

• Media related to ASEA X2 at Wikimedia Commons