Game-Changer for Sweden's Railways: Faster, Longer Freight Trains Coming in 2025

Sweden’s new braking rules for freight trains, set for June 2025, promise increased speeds, improved capacity, and shorter travel times on key rail routes.

Sweden is set to implement a landmark revision to its braking percentage tables in June 2025, allowing freight trains up to 750 meters long to travel at higher speeds and aiming to improve efficiency and increase capacity on vital routes, including the Southern Main Line and West Coast Line, as reported by Järnvägar.nu.

Braking percentage tables are critical to rail safety systems, regulating train speeds based on braking capacity and signaling distances. The current tables, developed in the 1990s by the now-defunct Swedish State Railways (SJ), are rooted in practices established as far back as 1907. "These tables were never updated to reflect modern traffic conditions," explained Ulf Pålsson, a former safety expert with SJ, to Järnvägar.nu. He added that the absence of oversight since SJ’s corporatization in 2001 left the system outdated.

Pressure from Freight Operators Drives Change

According to RailFreight, in 2015, freight operators and the trade association Tågföretagen pushed for a comprehensive review, citing braking rules as a barrier to longer, faster freight trains. "The existing tables were a significant obstacle," Pålsson notes. The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) then initiated a revision to align the tables with modern demands and the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).

The new tables will allow freight trains up to 750 meters to travel at 100 km/h on key stretches, with potential speeds of 120 km/h under specific conditions. "This represents a major step forward," says Trafikverket’s capacity analyst Magnus Backman to Järnvägar.nu. He pointed out improvements to signaling systems, including reduced warning times in the Automatic Train Control (ATC) system, which enable higher speeds without compromising safety, as Railway Technical reports.

Key Routes for Implementation, Challenges and Benefits

Starting June 2025, the initial rollout will cover critical corridors, such as Malmö–Hallsberg and Malmö–Gothenburg. Longer trains, up to 835 meters, will also operate between Denmark and Sweden, facilitating direct connections to German hubs. "This integration with European networks is essential for Sweden's competitiveness," Backman says.

However, not all routes will benefit equally. The Western Main Line, equipped with the older ATC1 system, will remain limited due to the high cost of upgrading. As Backman explained to Järnvägar.nu, "It was deemed economically unfeasible to retrofit these lines ahead of the upcoming ERTMS installation." 

The revisions will significantly reduce travel times, with some freight trains saving tens of minutes. Passenger train schedules will also see fewer delays as speed differentials narrow. "Fewer overtakes and less energy consumption will enhance overall rail efficiency," noted Backman.

Preparation and Training Underway

The new rules require extensive preparation by train operators. "Drivers will need to adapt to shorter warning times, demanding greater vigilance," says Trafikverket’s signaling specialist Elisabeth Skoglund. Trafikverket has begun consultations and training to ensure a smooth transition. While initially limited to a few routes, Trafikverket is exploring wider adoption of the new braking tables on other lines. This step aligns with Sweden's broader goals for sustainable and efficient rail transport. "This is just the beginning of a more modern rail era," said Pålsson.

The revisions will significantly reduce travel times, with some freight trains saving tens of minutes. Passenger train schedules will also see fewer delays as speed differentials narrow. "Fewer overtakes and less energy consumption will enhance overall rail efficiency," notes Backman.

Source: Järnvägar.nu; RailFreight.com