Sweden’s national transport authority, Trafikverket, signed a landmark €756 million contract with Spanish manufacturer Talgo on 20 April 2026, securing a new fleet of modern night and daytime trains. The agreement, celebrated in Stockholm with Sweden’s minister of infrastructure and housing, Andreas Carlson, and Talgo’s president, José Antonio Jainaga, marks a major step towards revitalising Sweden’s long-distance rail network, particularly its ageing night train services.A new era for Swedish night trains.

The contract includes ten Siemens Vectron locomotives, eleven night train compositions, and nine daytime train sets, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2030. The new trains, based on Talgo’s 230 platform, will operate at speeds up to 200 km/h and are designed to withstand the harsh Arctic climate, with temperatures as low as -40°C. 

This resilience aligns with Sweden’s ‘Total Defence‘ strategy, ensuring robust transport even during extreme conditions or security crises.

The fleet’s design prioritises passenger comfort, flexibility, and sustainability. Travellers will have access to a range of accommodation options, including reclining seats, family berths, single cabins, and premium suites with private showers and toilets. Onboard amenities will feature a restaurant, bistro, stable digital connectivity, and ample storage for luggage, skis, and bicycles. The trains’ modular interiors are intended to adapt to evolving passenger needs over their 30–40-year service life.

Overcoming procurement challenges

The path to this agreement was not straightforward. Trafikverket initially cancelled its tender in August 2025 after receiving no bids that met its stringent technical requirements, particularly for high-performance heating and operation at -40°C. 

Following market consultations, the authority relaunched the tender in September 2025, simplifying some demands and offering a €15 million incentive for designs compatible with the European Union’s Continental loading gauge. This adjustment ensures the trains can operate beyond Scandinavia, supporting future cross-border services.

Economic and environmental impact

The contract’s total value includes a 10-year maintenance package, with Talgo’s predictive maintenance systems set to enhance operational reliability. While the investment is substantial – estimated at €45 million per train set – it reflects the high costs of customisation, climate adaptation, and advanced passenger amenities. 

The new fleet will replace nearly 40-year-old rolling stock, offering a more sustainable and competitive alternative to air travel for routes between Stockholm and northern Sweden, as well as potential connections to Norway and Central Europe.

Roberto Maiorana, Trafikverket’s director general, emphasised the broader significance of the project: “With these trains, Sweden is taking an important step towards a modern, sustainable, and future-proof night train service that strengthens the country’s competitiveness, cohesion, and climate transition.”

Looking ahead

The new trains promise to transform long-distance travel in Sweden, combining comfort, accessibility, and environmental responsibility. As the project progresses, further details on design and functionality will be released, culminating in the fleet’s launch in 2030.

Criticism

However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from independent railway commentator Jon Worth, who questioned the choice of supplier in light of reported issues elsewhere in Europe. In a strongly worded reaction, he wrote: “If this is not a joke, what the hell are they doing?”

Worth pointed to ongoing problems in both Denmark and Germany, claiming that Talgo carriages have not been running reliably and that, in Germany, even locomotive approval has faced significant hurdles. He expressed surprise that Sweden would proceed with a similar order, asking why authorities would “repeat the error” given recent experiences.

He also argued that Sweden could have opted for alternative rolling stock platforms already in operation elsewhere in Europe, such as variants of Railjet, Nightjet or Comfortjet trains, instead of choosing Talgo’s design.

Despite the criticism, the Swedish authorities maintain that the new trains will meet stringent technical and operational requirements. Alongside the procurement, the Swedish government has commissioned a broader review into the future of night train operations, examining models for rolling stock management and public subsidies.

The introduction of the new fleet is expected to mark a significant step forward for overnight rail services in Sweden, combining improved resilience in harsh climates with a more modern passenger experience, even as debate continues over the choice of supplier.

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