Regular operation of 730m-long freight trains began in Sweden on April 28, following the completion of a multi-annual project by infrastructure manager Trafikverket to accommodate longer trains.
Hector Rail is now operating 730m-long freight trains on the Hallsberg/Katrineholm – Malmö corridor, one of Sweden’s key rail freight arteries, carrying paper products for export.
According to Hector Rail, the project has increased freight payloads by 15%, compared with the previous maximum permitted train length of 630m.
“Sweden allows Europe’s largest lorries on its roads, but until now it has had the shortest freight trains,” says Hector Rail CEO Mr Mats Nyblom. “It’s time to restore the competitiveness of rail.”
