SWEDISH National passenger operator SJ has abandoned plans to launch hugely-improved services on the Oslo – Stockholm route because Norwegian infrastructure manager Jernbaneverket is planning more than two years of daytime closures on part of the route for infrastructure work.

SWEDEN's National Post and Telecom Agency (PTS) announced on May 18 that rail operators will be given an extra year to ensure that rail vehicles are equipped with GSM-R filters to prevent interference from 4G public mobile networks.

SWEDISH infrastructure manager Trafikverket has selected Strukton Rail to modernise and remodel Tomteboda station, just north of Stockholm main station.

SWEDEN's national passenger operator, SJ, is currently testing SKF's new Insight intelligent bearing on a locomotive-hauled passenger coach. The trial is expected to be completed by June.

Speaking at the Railway Forum in Berlin last month, Dr Martin Platzer, senior vice-president with rail and turnout specialist Voestalpine, made a plea for European railways to start purchasing equipment and systems on the basis of the most economically-advantageous tender rather than simply the lowest price. David Briginshaw was in the audiance.

The liberalisation of Europe's long-distance passenger rail markets has seen intense competition emerging between new and established operators, but while this has helped to increase the size of the rail market, falling average fare prices have posed serious financial challenges.

SWEDISH infrastructure manager Trafikverket announced on March 20 that all locomotives, multiple units and driving trailers operating on the country's railway network must be fitted with GSM-R filters by July 1 to prevent interference from 4G public mobile networks.

MTR Corporation launched its first European open-access venture on March 21, when MTR Express began operating its initial timetable of four trains a day between Stockholm and Gothenburg.

SWEDISH infrastructure manager Trafikverket has awarded Siemens a contract worth around €17m to supply a Sitras SFC Plus static frequency converter to feed power from the 50Hz public grid into the railway's 16.7Hz traction power network.

SWEDISH infrastructure manager Trafikverket says it intends to begin developing plans for the construction of a second track on the eastern section of the Kiruna – Narvik (Norway) heavy-haul line in the Arctic Circle.