European Sleeper is exploring a new night train linking Brussels in Belgium with Malmö in Sweden via the Netherlands, and Copenhagen in Denmark, in cooperation with German rail operator RDC Deutschland. The service could start in April 2028, creating a direct overnight connection between the Benelux and Scandinavia for the first time in more than a decade.

Yesterday, Treinreiziger.nl broke the news, but removed the post from its website. This morning, Mobilithib by Thibault Lapers also brought the news. 

The planned service would operate on an open-access basis and depart from Brussels-South, calling at Antwerp-Central, Roosendaal, Rotterdam Central, The Hague Dutch Rail (Den Haag Hollands Spoor), Amsterdam Central, Amersfoort, and Deventer. The route would then continue through Germany and Denmark to Copenhagen before reaching its terminus in Malmö.

A stop in Germany has not yet been decided. The train would pass Hamburg, but most likely in the middle of the night, making a stop there impractical. European Sleeper and RDC are currently working with infrastructure managers to secure suitable train paths. The companies envisage departures from both Brussels and Malmö at around 19:00, with arrival at the final destination at approximately 10:00 the following morning.

European Sleeper co-founder Chris Engelsman described the proposed route as a fundamental missing link between the Benelux and Scandinavia. He explained that the two companies had begun looking at broader cooperation because RDC already supplies carriages for European Sleeper’s Paris in France to Berlin service, while RDC has an established position in Scandinavia and European Sleeper has a strong presence in the Benelux.

RDC is due to take over operation of the Berlin to Stockholm night train from Swedish state railway SJ on 1 September. The German operator also has extensive experience with night trains between Germany and Scandinavia.

First direct Benelux–Scandinavia night train in years

European Sleeper’s proposed Brussels–Malmö service would replace its earlier plans for an Amsterdam–Stockholm night train, which the company has described as too long. If launched, it would become the first regular direct rail service between the Benelux and Scandinavia since the previous generation of overnight trains disappeared.

Amsterdam and Copenhagen were still directly connected by a City Night Line operated by Deutsche Bahn and Danish State Railways (Danske Statsbaner, DSB) until 2014. The service was subsequently discontinued, partly because of infrastructure works in Denmark and weaker demand.

Sweden had already approved plans for a Brussels–Malmö night train in 2021, but no operator came forward at the time. The route covers more than 1,000 kilometres and included a lengthy section between Brussels and the German-Danish border that was not covered by public-service obligations, making the economics difficult.

The new partnership with RDC could provide a way around some of those challenges by combining European Sleeper’s customer base and Benelux network with RDC’s operational experience and Scandinavian connections.

The trains are expected to have a similar composition to European Sleeper’s existing services, with seats, couchettes and sleeping cars. The company is also considering a new Deluxe class offering with a double bed and private bathroom. The growing availability of second-hand sleeping cars, partly as new rolling stock enters service elsewhere in Europe, is making such an option more realistic.

European Sleeper expanding its network

The Brussels–Malmö project would add to an increasingly extensive European Sleeper network. The cooperative has operated its Brussels to Prague in Czechia night train since 2023 and took over the Paris–Berlin service earlier this year.

On 9 September, European Sleeper will launch its Brussels to Milan in Italy service via Switzerland. The first journey from Brussels to Milan is already sold out, while the inaugural service will actually depart from Milan on the night of 9–10 September. RDC carriages will also be used on this route.

European Sleeper is also still aiming to launch a Brussels to Barcelona in Spain night train in 2028, although that project has been repeatedly delayed.

RDC managing director Markus Hunkel said the company saw considerable potential in combining its operational experience with European Sleeper’s growing network and customer base. Together, the companies believe they could create a strong new connection between the Benelux, Denmark and Sweden.

The proposed Brussels–Malmö service remains subject to securing suitable infrastructure capacity and finalising the timetable. If those conditions can be met, the new night train could provide a long-awaited direct overnight link between Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia from 2028 onwards.

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