EuroMaint commissioned to upgrade SJ’s passenger trains

SJ is investing SEK 350 million in modernising its locomotive-pulled passenger trains from the 1980s. The contract has been awarded to EuroMaint and the first upgraded carriages will be ready to go into service next summer.

Over the past two years SJ has invested billions of Swedish kronor in renewing and modernising its rolling stock. The double-decker trains have been put into full service, all X2000 trains have been upgraded as have the sleeper cars, and in May SJ ordered 20 new high-speed trains for SEK 2 billion. Further stages of modernisation are now being carried out.

“This is an important part of the upgrade of our rolling stock, and complements our modern high-speed trains. All Intercity trains are being given a new exterior profile with black painted carriages. We are also refurbishing the interiors of 160 carriages to give them a brighter, Nordic feel and new lighting,” says Jan Olson, Director of Business Development at SJ.

The investment also means that the seats in many of the carriages will be replaced, while others will be re-upholstered. All the toilets are being upgraded. The modernised carriages will be better adapted to people with disabilities – the wheelchair lifts are being replaced and there will be better and more space for wheelchairs onboard.

EuroMaint won the contract to modernise the SJ carriages in stiff competition with several other Swedish and international companies.
“We have great faith in EuroMaint since they upgraded our X2000 trains. They also presented a schedule that works well for SJ and disrupts our service planning as little as possible,” says Claes Broström, Director of Vehicles at SJ and the person responsible for the procurement.

The passenger carriages will be upgraded at EuroMaint’s workshop in Malmö, which specialises in the refurbishment and modernisation of railway carriages.
“Obviously we’re delighted that SJ has asked us to modernise its Intercity trains as well. The railway market is growing, and the assignment strengthens us in our proactive focus on the refurbishment business,” says Mats Önner, President of EuroMaint Rail.

For further information, please contact:
SJ Press Service on +46 (0)10-7515184 and Mats Önner, President of EuroMaint Rail on +46 (0)70-520 5210

Almost 110,000 passengers travel on SJ trains every day, from around 220 stations between Storlien in north-west Sweden and Berlin. In 2007 SJ had a turnover of SEK 8.3 billion. SJ has 4,000 employees who work to ensure train travel is safe, simple and comfortable. SJ’s electric trains have been labelled a Good Environmental Choice – they meet the world’s toughest environmental requirements. Frequent travellers can collect points and rewards as members of SJ Prio.

EuroMaint is a strong, independent maintenance partner that increases customer efficiency. Creative technical system services, customised total solutions and partnerships contribute to our customers’ competitiveness and success. The companies within the EuroMaint Group are specialist businesses that offer advanced maintenance services for the rail transport sector and the engineering industry. EuroMaint has operations in Sweden, Latvia and the USA. The Group has approximately 1,800 employees and 2006 turnover was in the region of SEK 2 billion. EuroMaint is owned by Ratos, one of the largest listed owner companies in Europe.