SJ X40
| Company type | Electric multiple unit train |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Fate | In service, undergoing refurbishment |
| Headquarters | Sweden |
Area served | Sweden |
| Products | Bilevel electric multiple unit trains |
| Parent | SJ |
The X40 series consists of electric multiple unit trains operated by SJ across Sweden. Since their introduction in 2006, these trains have serviced routes connecting Stockholm with Linköping, Västerås/Örebro, Uppsala, and Gävle/Sandviken. From 2010 onwards, the service extended to Gothenburg through Västerås. Manufactured by Alstom between 2004 and 2008, a total of 43 double-decker trainsets were delivered, available in either two- or three-car formations. The X40 is derived from the Alstom Coradia family, sharing close design elements with the French SNCF Class Z 26500 and bearing resemblance to the SL X60.
As Sweden’s inaugural bilevel train model, the X40 represented a major advancement in terms of passenger capacity and operational efficiency. Beginning in 2019, bilevel Stadler KISS trains—referred to as DOSTO—have supplemented services in the Mälardalen and Uppsala areas. Additionally, since 2023, Tåg i Bergslagen has incorporated these trains into its Bergslagen operations.
The X40 earned the nickname "Flodhäst" ("Hippo") among staff due to its large size and occasional unpredictability. Currently, it is undergoing a refurbishment program aimed at extending its service life by roughly 15 years.
Specifications
Compared to traditional single-level trains, the X40 provides increased seating capacity, offering 85 seats per car versus 78. Its wider doorways facilitate quick station stops—approximately 30 seconds at smaller stations and up to 60 seconds at major ones. Capable of reaching speeds up to , these trains are commonly operated as coupled units consisting of one two-car and one three-car set. Both first and second class accommodations are available, each designed to ensure a similar standard of comfort.
Passenger conveniences include air conditioning, mobile network signal boosters, power outlets at every seat, radio systems, and free wireless internet access.
During initial deployment in 2006, technical issues such as door malfunctions and air conditioning failures were encountered. Passengers also reported insufficient luggage storage and cramped seating arrangements on longer journeys like Gävle-Stockholm-Linköping with stops at Arlanda Airport. To improve interior space utilization, vending machines and coffee makers were removed following passenger feedback. Since 2011, X40 trains have been assigned to longer-distance routes including Stockholm-Örebro-Göteborg and Stockholm-Sundsvall, where demand for enhanced comfort increased. In 2012, the SJ 3000 (Bombardier Regina) replaced the X40 on the Stockholm-Sundsvall corridor.
Refurbishment
Between 2024 and 2028, Finnish company VR Fleetcare will undertake refurbishment of the 27 three-carriage X40 trainsets (X40-3) at facilities in Oulu and Pieksämäki. This modernization aims to prolong their operational lifespan by approximately 15 years. Planned improvements encompass updated seating featuring new easy-to-clean upholstery, upgraded lighting systems, modernized passenger information displays, and a fresh exterior paint scheme. The first-class section will retain its 2+2 seating layout but will be reconfigured to enhance group seating capacity while minimizing face-to-face seat arrangements. The decision regarding reinstating coffee or vending machines remains pending. SJ also holds an option to refurbish the two-carriage X40 sets (X40-2), numbering either 15 or 16 units.