Electrification project underway on railway line connecting Norway and Sweden

A major electrification project is currently underway on one of the four railway lines connecting Norway and Sweden. A total of 120 kilometers along parts of the Trønderbanen and Meråkerbanen are being electrified. The Norwegian Railway Authority is still working to secure train services for the line, which is expected to be completed by December next year.

The plan includes utilizing Swedish long-distance trains traveling from the capital, Stockholm, with the aim of extending these services to Trondheim. However, the Swedish train company SJ is requesting operational support from both Norwegian and Swedish authorities. The Swedish Transport Administration has indicated that it cannot co-fund the services and cannot provide guarantees at this time, leading to significant uncertainty regarding freight traffic along this corridor.

Currently, SJ operates a train from Stockholm to Duved, with hopes to expand this service to Trondheim, a journey that would take nine hours. The success of this expansion heavily relies on securing annual operational support, with SJ’s CEO in Norway stressing the need for financial assurances to make this venture viable.

As for freight services, a recent forecast revealed there are no plans for freight trains between Duved and Storlien, the starting point of the Meråkerbanen, which has raised concerns among regional representatives who advocate for increased transportation links. The Norwegian Railway Authority remains hopeful for operational support for a passenger train service between Trondheim and Stockholm but acknowledges that without the necessary funding from Sweden, alternatives may need to be considered.

The completion of the electrification project is slated for December 2025, but challenges remain, including limited capacity on certain stretches of the network.