SL X60
| Company type | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Headquarters | Salzgitter , Germany |
| Products | Electric multiple units (X60 series) |
X60 represents a fleet of six-car articulated electric multiple units within the Coradia Nordic family, operated by Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL) on the Stockholm commuter rail system. These trains were produced by the French manufacturer Alstom at their Salzgitter facility in Germany from 2005 until 2017, effectively replacing the older X10 fleets.
Background
The initial rolling stock for the Stockholm commuter rail consisted of X1 units delivered between 1967 and 1975, succeeded by the X10 series introduced from 1983 to 1993. These trains were the mainstay until SL sought to modernize its fleet in 2005 with vehicles offering improved acceleration and enhanced passenger amenities. Although the Regina model from Bombardier Transportation was evaluated, it was ultimately dismissed due to inadequate acceleration and restricted door access, prompting the creation of the X60 series.
Between 2005 and 2008, SL received the initial batch of 71 X60 trainsets, followed by an additional 12 identical X60A units in 2012. These gradually phased out older trains, with the first service commencing on 13 August 2005 at Stockholm Central Station.
Starting in 2016, SL began incorporating 46 X60B trainsets equipped with upgraded components, including compatibility with the ERTMS/ETCS. This upgrade was intended for operation within the new Citybanan tunnel and other network enhancements. However, coupling between X60B and earlier models is not possible until those older units receive compatible onboard computer systems.
The deployment of the X60B series was mainly motivated by the necessity to retire the aging X10 trains. As platform doors at Citybanan stations correspond precisely to the door spacing of the X60 trains, consistent door configurations across all trains became essential for tunnel operations.
Safety and comfort
Each trainset comprises six articulated cars with a total length of , offering seating for 374 passengers alongside standing room for up to 530. When two units are coupled, they form a full-length train. The interior design facilitates unobstructed movement throughout the entire train, which enhances passenger circulation and visibility—a critical safety aspect confirmed by SL passenger surveys. Additionally, lower backrests contribute to improved sightlines within each car.
Boarding efficiency is notably enhanced by floors that align with platform height in approximately 92% of each car’s length, significantly aiding accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility.
The floor height is generally maintained at , increasing to at gangway sections, with a maximum height of . While capable of speeds up to , operational velocity within Stockholm is limited to , reaching this speed within 20 seconds. The train's width measures , and its height above TOR is .
These trains are constructed to match Stockholm’s nominal platform height of , which exceeds the Swedish Railway Administration’s standard of . This results in noticeably easier boarding compared to previous rolling stock.
Each car includes adaptable spaces designated for wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles. Both passenger compartments and driver cabs are equipped with air conditioning. Seating arrangements were developed through collaboration with ergonomics experts and SL passenger representatives.
Security measures include surveillance cameras installed throughout all cars, similar to those used on new Stockholm metro trains, thereby enhancing onboard safety. Fire protection is ensured through the use of nonflammable and self-extinguishing materials throughout the train interiors.
Higher environmental standards
Elevated environmental criteria have guided the selection of materials for the latest commuter trains, ensuring that 95% of each carriage can be recycled once it reaches the end of its operational life.
These trains incorporate regenerative braking technology: their 3-phase motors function as generators, channeling electricity back into the network instead of losing it as heat. This recovered energy is supplied to the overhead lines, making it available for use by other trains within the same electrical segment.
Engineered specifically for Swedish weather conditions, the traction and auxiliary power converters are installed on the roof rather than beneath the train. This design reduces complications caused by snow and ice that affected earlier models such as the X1 and X10. The technical systems include redundancy supported by microprocessor controls to reduce service disruptions.
X61
The X61, an Alstom Coradia Nordic model, was procured by Skånetrafiken in Scania, Sweden, which operates a fleet of 99 trainsets. Initial deliveries consisted of 49 units between 2009 and 2011, followed by an additional 20 in 2011 and 30 more in 2017. Derived from the SL X60 but shorter—comprising four cars per set with a total length of 75 meters—the X61 can operate as a single unit or be coupled into formations of up to three four-car sets. Its interior layout is tailored for extended regional journeys, featuring onboard toilets and more comfortable seating arrangements, which are not present in SL X60 commuter trains. Östgötatrafiken owns five X61 units delivered in 2010 and eight more received in 2015, while Västtrafik has acquired 22 units.
X62
Norrtåg, representing public transit authorities across Västerbotten, Västernorrland, and adjacent regions, ordered eleven X62 trains delivered in 2012 for services including the Botniabanan line. These four-car sets are equipped with a bistro to accommodate longer trips and achieve a maximum speed of . Featuring four passenger doors on each side—fewer than the six or seven found on the X61—they remain largely similar otherwise and can be joined into longer trains composed of two or three connected sets.