SJ X5

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X5, X8 and X15 is a series of three or four car electric multiple units operated by Statens Järnvägar (SJ) of Sweden as express trains. Eight units were built by Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA) in 1947-48 and were in service until 1985.

[edit] History

The first delivery was of two four-car units to Bergslagernas Järnvägar (BJ) in 1947, designated X8, followed by the delivery of six three-car units to SJ in 1948, designated X5. By 1949 BJ was taken over by SJ, who operated all the units. They were used by BJ on the route Göteborg - Dalarna - Gävle on the GDG Express. SJ put their units into the main express routes, including Skandiapilen (Malmö - Oslo), Göteborgaren (Göteborg - Stockholm) and Mälardalen (Stockholm - Västerås - Örebro).

During the 1970s the X5s and X8s were moved to regional services around Göteborg. Last regular traffic was in 1983 while one X5 remained as a reserve train until 1987. Two X5 units have been preserved, though neither are operational.

[edit] Variations

X5 was the second batch, with six units delivered to SJ, with three cars.

X8 was the first batch, with two units delivered to BJ. The extra fourth car was a dining car. Neither have been preserved.

X15 was a test unit for a new generation of high-speed trains, leading to the development of the X2. It was a converted X5 with new motors, bogies and tilting technology. It reached the contemporary Swedish speed record of 238 km/h. It has not been preserved.

[edit] External links

• Järnväg.net on X5/X8/X15 (Swedish)