I Tried Sweden's Most HATED Long-Distance Train - And It Surprised Me

[@Nobody-jo3tv]

3:03 since comeone was occupying my reserved window sear ... THE KICK HIM OFF DUDE!!!

[@swestuff]

On some regions you can travel on the X40 using the regions own public transport system. Which means you can't/don't reserve a seat if you travel with that system however if you have a reserved seat and someone is using that seat they have to move when asked to.

[@darth_yoda]

Was about to say the same thing.. If I had reserved a seat and someone was sitting in it I would ask them politely to leave it and if they didn't I would get the car attendente to move the person.. There is a reason why it is possible to reserve seats after all.

[@absolutehonor141]

I often travel by train in Sweden and have never had a problem, or seen someone have a problem with being able to sit in their seat, I just say "excuse me, this is my seat", then the occupant usually gets embarrassed and disappears with few or no words at all , what can happen is that he says "would it be okay if you take seat XX so we can sit together", if it's an equally good seat you can do it to be nice, but if you say no they always move, never experienced anything else

[@kevinshannon9917]

If you don't take your reserved seat and someone comes later for the seat you're occupying, now you're seatless. Request your reserved seat!

[@jattikuukunen]

He was there to film the train, that's why he didn't want the window seat when the 2+2 was full. He couldn't really film the seats anyway.

[@FakedTruth]

Driving that train is far worse when it comes to comfort, 0 ergonomics. All the switches and buttons are all over the place. SJ drivers hate the x40 more than anyone.

[@thies7831]

It is German design. Appears like something that has started 2 world conflicts -- and lost them both ...

[@johannessamuelsson6578]

@@thies7831 German? It's an Alstom platform. Sure, it's made in Germany, but Alstom is French

[@thies7831]

@@johannessamuelsson6578 Please read my answer again. Fair enough, I should have written it "German", highlighting the satirical tone. I though the sentence did explain that "joke"... By the way, the XP40 is built to strict Swedish specifications: ALL wheels on the bogies have to be large enough, touching the rails at any time while the train is in motion. Not every railway on this planet does specify THAT and as a result there is a HIGH RISK OF DERAILMENT.

[@bulmeck]

almost all swedes like the design or how it feels weird for me to look at it and think people dont like my fav train ): i liek it so much i built it in scrap mechanic

[@thies7831]

@@bulmeck Excellent example of creativity. Keep it going .

[@RKMa64]

Simon, you are spot on as usual The X 40 is not good at all. I would not ride it från Stockholm to Gothenburg. It's over 5 hours... And not comfortable at all. I would rather go on the intercity older trains with Rc6 🚂 than the X40. As always a very trainfilm. You're welcome back in the summer to Lenna katten... The steam train from Uppsala 😎🚂👍

[@moggsly5669]

I find it to be one of the best trains. I guess that says alot about krösatåg. Never ever had problems with it (The x40)

[@simonsv9449]

@@nilgor70De körs där ändå av någon konstig anledning. Tar en längre rutt än X2000-tågen också, över Västerås och Örebro istället för Södertälje och Katrineholm.

[@doctorwrm]

I suspect that the reason why SJ is running regional trains for intercity service is because of overloaded capacity on the Swedish rail network. The Stockholm/Göteborg line has not had enough capacity to handle passenger traffic for nearly a decade, resulting in sold-out tickets and constant delays. Projects to expand capacity between Stockholm and Göteborg were also recently victims of political sniping by the new conservative government in 2022. I imagine SJ is running double decker X40s to increase capacity on these overloaded lines. It's also possible that SJ just doesn't have enough rolling stock to offer these services with standard intercity trains. SJ has not purchased any new intercity trains since buying the original 40 X2000's in the 90's. In the 21st century, the only new trains have been regional trains: 43 of these X40s and 2 X52s. The planned 25 new high speed trains and 25 new regional trains aren't expected until 2026.

[@Åka-kollektivt]

@@simonsv9449 With a lot more stops too, it's not meant to be taken all the way inbetween Stockholm and Göteborg.

[@thedukeofnorton]

@@Åka-kollektivtIt does though! That’s the issue.

[@viken3368]

I kind of like the x40, especially for something that I felt was ignored in the video: the view/ambiance from the windows. No train that I know of in Sweden can compete with the almost panoramic windows on the upper floors, or the massive windows on the lower floors. I'm always happy to take one of these when I can. But theres some problems I have with them, especially compared to Mälartågs trains: The x40 is a lot louder, sometimes the train is just rolling on the tracks and how suddenly theres a blissful silence always makes you more annoyed when it gets really loud again. But it very much serves a weird niche as I wouldn't want it for regular commuting as much as mälartåg, and for going to Gothenburg or north theres better high speed offerings.

[@spellindgren6940]

honestly i love the x40, its my favourite train in sweden. 10-15 euro to sit upstairs with a really big curved window and table with outlets, really the second class is a 1st class experience in my opinion. really do not understand the complaints. it sucks that it do not have a cafe, but i bring my own coffee and snacks then and sit there and watch the snow from upstairs. its a lovely experience in my opinion

[@christophernoble6810]

When ordered the X40 was a commuter train. Perhaps this explains everything. They are now in the process of being refurbished, one would imagine to have an interior more in keeping with a long distance train. I have not ridden the X40 but my son has and he seemed to be ok with the interior. He thought the journey time from Göteborg to Stockholm was a bit excessive, though.

[@toddetoddelito9959]

To be fair, the X40 is designed for regional services with frequent stops and low passenger numbers. However there are a few problems with this, one being that we don’t have all too many routes that isn’t already being covered by the regions on their own - especially since the Mälardalen regions began with Mälartåg. Another problem is that the few routes where this is applicable mostly have uneven passenger numbers. As an example, the route that you ran with (Ljusdal-Linköping) consists of one route with few passengers (Ljusdal-Gävle), two routes with medium/high amount of passengers (Gävle-Uppsala and Stockholm-Linköping) and one route with more than a high amount of passengers (Uppsala-Stockholm). This means that the train isn’t dimensioned well neither way, and fills a lot of purposes quite badly, maybe with the exception of Ljusdal-Gävle on this particular route. The same could be said about the X40 Stockholm-Göteborg route, it could be broken into many pieces which differs quite a lot with levels of ridership. These routes would probably be better off with Rc6 trains, where they could couple and uncouple wagons depending on the amount of travelers, or cutting the routes into smaller pieces. The X40 could possibly work Ljusdal-Uppsala, but not the last stretch to Stockholm (although it would be quite weird to terminate from the north in Uppsala, when Stockholm has an abundance of north-facing terminal tracks and is not even an hour away). So to sum up my thoughts, the X40 just doesn’t fit any purpose to SJ of today. When they were ordered, SJ had a lot of minor routes that they would fit, but since they lost the responsibility (as well as the competition) to regional competitors, these are a misfit wherever they run. Not bad, but there are better kinds of trains in SJs fleet that would fit these routes better than the X40 does.

[@jfmezei]

The ticketing system could have 0 capacity between Stockholm and Upsala to reserve these X40 train to only tickets where one end point is beyond Upsalla in north or some point south of Stockholm. This avoids this train being used as "commuter" Between Upsalla and Stockholm. I think train operators try to avoid shunting operations as much as they can since it requires more manpower and time at the station where equipment is coupled/uncoupled. And if you had 2 units couples between Stockholm and Upsalla, and only one continued north of Upsalla, there is the issue of ensuring any passenger going north of Upsalla would board in the first unit and all those going to Upsalla would board the second unit.

[@Simon-Andersen]

You summed it up very nicely!

[@jaken005]

And the Regina trains (X50-54) does a way better job of the inconcistent demand routes. With the 3+2 seating you can pack a lot of people if necessart, but let people occupy multiple seats for more comfort when it is quiet. It even has more seats per car then the X40 despite being single decker!

[@davorlekenik9563]

​@@Simon-Andersen🇭🇷 ❤ 🇸🇪

[@fahrdienstleiter]

Had a strange experience taking the X40. I went from Norrköping to Stockholm and one out of the three wagons was just missing, my seat reservation was in the missing wagon (booked the train just one hour ahead, so why did they assign me this seat? 🤔). The train attendant was really encouraged trying to find a seat for everyone, I had to sit on one of these folding seats. The best thing: SJ refunded me 100% of the ticket price. As a frequent DB user I can say that I never got any refund from them because of a missing wagon 😅

[@absolutehonor141]

I go x40 between Linköping and Sundsvall a few times a year, the advantages are that there is no train change and is significantly cheaper than all other options, but it is not a pleasant experience, more than 6 hours is bordering on unbearable, it is so crowded, uncomfortable seats, far too little space for luggage, and it's always a mess with people taking the wrong seats, it's not possible to see a carriage sketch and choose a seat when you book, so people change seats to sit together, it often leads to a long chain with changes, and then when someone wants the seat that is on the ticket, half the carriage has to rearrange where everyone should sit. not to mention all the delays or when you are left somewhere in the middle of nowhere when the train breaks down and SJ fails to arrange any replacement means of transport. And you are absolutely right that 1st class is completely unnecessary, the fact is stt it is even worse, it is fraudulent, if you want the better view you can book a seat on the upper floor in one of the other carriages, is exactly the same as "1st class" but costs nothing extra.

[@johannessamuelsson6578]

I've never known of an X40 going to Sundsvall. They go to Ljusdal and Gothenburg, but not OKB north of Gäfle afaik.

[@absolutehonor141]

They have probably stopped doing that, the last few times there has been a change to the X-tåget in gävle

[@Katten9068]

One of these trains crashed between the small towns of köping and Arboga, it collided with a tractor trailer. Everyone survived because of this trains only plus: It's force absorption. It distributes the krash force so evenly people can go harmless in a pretty violent collision

[@iCE2sKY]

Yes there is + for this train, we do not hate it anymore!! :)

[@OskarOH]

As a conductor on these trains, it really pains me to tell someone with a second class ticket to leave first class. I hate doing that, because it is the same interior and comfort level in every single car. Litterally the same. It's so similar that even first class passengers sometimes sit in the wrong carriage and don't even notice! I've been told that you pay extra for "the (non-existant) service and a (now removed, but previously very squeaky) glass door." However, from what I've read in internal memos (though this does seem to change from time to time) the first class compartment will become a more "proper" first class during the refurbishment, and there has been talk of installing vending machines and coffee machines. Only time will tell. They actually used to have such machines when new, but they basically fell apart due to vibrations. Another "fun" detail about these trains is that the toilet retention tanks were made of plastic. With no heating. In a train built for a country where temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Pick a wild guess as to what happened to those. They initiated a program to replace the plastic tanks with metal a while back and only just finished it a week or so ago! Thankfully all the two car units are heading for the scrapyard relatively soon, but sadly we'll be stuck with the three car units for a few more years it seems.

[@jonistan9268]

I'm very confused as to why they even mad two car units. Even three cars seems rather short to me.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Hopeing to see at least some minor improvements with the refurb!

[@ajs41]

You wouldn't make that mistake on British trains. The seats are totally different.

[@OskarOH]

@@Simon-Andersen Fingers crossed. The first unit should return relatively soon, not sure if it'll be before or after new years though.

[@fujimotosan9123]

First class "normally" has blinds, armrests, antimacassar and 1ft extra leg space with compulsory seat ticket purchase. Here there is no blind in 1st class and has armrests, antimacassar and the same leg space in 2nd class. It' is like saying you pay more to feel posh, but the poor gets the same LOL

[@nk-i-sumpan]

I used to ride X40 between Stockholm and Norrköping (ca 75 min) a lot when it was a fairly new model. It was a good choice back then and much cheaper compared to X2000. Today, the Stadler KISS trains (DOSTO) are a much better option.

[@Sensu0]

I think the seats on the X40 is a lot more comfortable than on the Stadler Dosto trains. Legroom in most cases is also worse on the Stadler Dosto trains.

[@C20F]

​@@Sensu0Right, but that's just poor spec. The train itself if much better. One could spec anything really with bus seats, if they really wanted, and that seems to be exactly whay they did, sadly.

[@rulipari]

weirdly, I believe I was in the background for one of the shots at Uppsala C. This must have been filmed on the one singular day in my life that I spent in Uppsala.

[@Simon-Andersen]

17-02-2024 this was shot, enjoy the hunt :P

[@ccityplanner1217]

When I first saw these, I assumed they were exurban commuter trains that got people into Stockholm from places like Enköping and Westeros; I was very surprised when I saw one in the platform marked reservation-mandatory, and I was even more surprised when I went to get the train to Gothenburg and one of these turned up.

[@GustavSvard]

Not a bad assumption. When they entered service that's what they were for, basically.

[@2255Gaming]

I have a lot of good memories in the X40 but on time, it took 4 hours to get from Linköping to Gävle.

[@maistho]

X40 is actually my favourite train to take in Sweden, the view from the upper floor curved windows is just great. I'm looking forward to seeing how the renovated interior turns out.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Hopefully the refurb is gonna be nice!

[@renhanxue]

The upper level windows are the best feature on the X40. The Mälartåg ER1 (Stadler KISS) is better in most ways *except* for the upper level windows, which range from meh to actually bad in a few seats.

[@lordrindfleisch1584]

I once had an X2000 cancelled and replaced with one of these things. You can imagine my dissapointment

[@per-olamjomark7452]

Always enjoy your videos. I rode both the Alstom X40 and the Stadler Dosto from Mälartåg this weekend. I must say that I really prefer the latter. It just feels more spacious and modern. Luckily, Finnish VR Fleetcare will modernize SJ's double-decker X40. The first train set is being taken into the workshop in Oulu around now I think - and in the spring of 2028, the 27th and last train set will roll back onto Swedish tracks.

[@Rodoeht12345]

Actually, the first set is due to return from Finland soon and then they'll send another one

[@jarnklonsfiskeochannatgott4377]

I think you should try the X11-X14 trains they are operated used in the Krösatågen,Västtågen and Norrtåg trafic in Sweden.

[@mrwindz]

I went on this train from Herrljunga to Skövde in June. I will not ride this train again if I don’t have to. I was uncomfortable through out the ride even though it was relatively short. I don’t know how explain it but everything just felt so narrow and it was hard to find a seat. I prefer the X2000 “second class calm section”. That was a lot better and the trip between Stockholm and Herrljunga took 2,5 hours. I understand why this train is hated

[@WilliamsonAlexander]

1st class includes access to the lounge throughout the day of the ticket in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö

[@Swedey]

Honestly, the X40 is realistically only built for up to 2 hour journeys. I rode one from Stockholm to Nyköping and it was fine. But I feel like for journeys over 2 hours, the seats need a major revision.

[@swedneck]

yeah, and at least on the gothenburg-stockholm route they're clearly not intended for people to ride end to end, the service is even called "regional"! It's basically a series of commuter train routes chained together and ran with the same vehicles. I ride them every now and then in the gothenburg area, and for that they're perfectly okay, the only real complaint i have is that they need to be longer to fit more passengers.

[@erebos8260]

SJ has bought new regional trains from CAF which most likely will replace the X40 on the long journes like Ljusdal-Linköping and Stockholm-Västerås-Göteborg in a few years

[@Edward256]

​@@swedneck It seems to be a fixed piece. 2 cars or 3 cars per train, never adding more center cars like an X2000.

[@swedneck]

@@Edward256 yeah i know how they're structured, but surely it should be possible to have extra middle cars manufactured and turn all the 2-car trains into 3-cars? But it doesn't matter anymore anyways, they're ordering entirely new trains to run on the long routes.

[@OskarOH]

​@@swedneckIirc, some two car units were extended to three cars pretty early on.

[@seevee9057]

I've travelled a lot with the X40 and never had any problems with it. Love it.

[@Bandorax]

Went on it a few times, agree that it's sort of a strange layout. Really enjoyed the video, love from Uppsala!

[@Simon-Andersen]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bokhans]

I haven’t taken the train in 15 years but I took a train Stockholm -Mariestad recently in first class. Great experience. Big armchair with the seat beside mine as well. A hostel served me breakfast. Very comfortable and pleasant trip. So when I needed to go Stockholm - Gothenburg I booked 1 klass to and ended up on the x40 train with a small coffee and sandwich to be picket up at Pressbyrån. Yes it’s the same seats and everything else besides the coffee and sandwich. A awful ripoff. These trains should not be sold with 1 class because they don’t offer anything close to 1 class. The trip from Göteborg to Stockholm was on VR and their I had my own room with 8 seats and windows on both sides. A young lady was my hostess and it turned out I was the only first class passager on the whole train and I was traveling alone in a third of the whole train. I got food served at the table, bred butter, a drink and coffee and sweets. I could refill my coffee and have more sweets from a big basket and complementary. 😂 Trip to Göteborg with SJ was 5 hours + and due to an accident, crash with a tractor and trailer we had to go by bus part of the way but that didn’t slow us down much. VR took 3 hours + and the speed was 204 km/h when I checked. Price was the same +-20 SEK. The experience was like night and day! SJ please do something, this was bad!!

[@pontus7188]

The X40 was never intended for long distance use, they were built for commuter service in Mälardalen

[@jonistan9268]

Paying the extra few kronor for 1st class is absolutely worth it, as long as you have time to visit the SJ lounge in Stockholm. Just remember that the lounge is closed on Saturday.

[@Simon-Andersen]

That they break down more than other trains. Especially when they were introduced www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/sj-satter-forsenad-dubbeldackare-i-trafik/929339

[@simonstadin]

I live close to Ljusdal (pronounced "Jus-dal"), one of the termini, so I've taken this train a fair share of times going to Arlanda or Stockholm, whether out of convenience or necessity. Getting to the bathroom is a bit awkward, and I would appreciate a dining car (maybe that's how they keep the price down on this connection), but other than that I have no major complaints about the train. The seats are comfortable at least :)

[@DaniErik]

You may not have noticed since you only walked through the lower cabin, but it gets really cold there in winter when stops are frequent. Cold air just pours in when the doors are open and the heating can’t cope.

[@jattikuukunen]

Ah, so that's one actual benefit from first class.

[@DaniErik]

@@jattikuukunen Yes, but there is also 2nd class upper deck seating in the middle carriages so it truly is a scam

[@OskarOH]

@@DaniErik The upper level is second class in both the middle carriage AND one of the end carriages per unit.

[@valmiretirkeme2574]

The seat he uses is my favorite. I store my luggage in the little hole and spread out over a little bit of the sofa - just enought to make ppl not want to sit in the sofa with me but big enought space if someone needs to sit :P Remember to always be quite in the trains - some ppl is talking in phones and so it´s not good manner. Always bring FOOD, not just snacks, since you will never know when you will arrive to your goal. Once my train hit an elk but they train was OK to travel to the station. I heard the hoofs of the very dead elk dingeling and smashing into the jailroad. The toilets is sometimes closed(broken) but there are normally several of them. The doors break down too sometimes so keep an eye on the other passengers nd listen to the call out so you know where to exit.

[@Erikwiktor]

Short question. How do you use the map, paint out the route and the distance. Hälsningar från Sverige

[@Simon-Andersen]

I animate them in After Effects with the base layer coming from Google Earth Studio.

[@ih7269]

I never thought negatively about them. I've always thought they had good AC and comfortable seats. I didn't know people disliked them

[@artouditou0818]

Same, i love the Gråsuggan

[@RubberGopher]

The driver's cabin is tiny in the X40. It makes The X60 family's driver's cabin look like a banquet hall. Both X40 and X60 are from Alstom.

[@swedishhiker9861]

Everything is tiny in X40.. Funny enough the legroom is a lot better in SL's X60 commuter trains. The X40 trains are a total failure and no amount of modernization will fix it. If you are located in a 4-seater with a table, you are so close to other passengers that it feels like a violation.

[@OskarOH]

​@@swedishhiker9861From what I've seen the tables and seating groups will be removed. Wouldn't be surprised if they squeeze in more seats though.

[@ZipJoy]

These trains used to have bistro cars. Have not seen one for a few years now. I was on the last train of the night a few days ago and it was clocking 209kph. Usually max at 200 but could feel it was being pushed. Think the crew were keen to get home

[@matsv201]

Mechanically the x40 is really poor. Its very heavy and it only have power on half the wheels. Making it fairly slow from a stand still. It also have fairly low power to weight making it slow also at higher speeds Not only that. It have a very high axle load, in combination with the high top speed and high center of gravity it absolulty rips the rails. Trafikverket that rake care of the rail hate those trains. They really should be scrapt in favor of the much better stadler train.

[@mikkoylioja]

I once traveled from Stockholm to Malmö on the X40. It was a connecting train for passengers coming with a delayed overnight sleeper train from Narvik. The ordinary trains to Malmö were fully booked therefore we were booked on this extra train towards Malmö. Due to delays along the way, the X40 terminated in Hässleholm, from there we had to continue our journey to Malmö with the X2000.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Oh boy, what an interesting experience! Had no idea they managed to get so far the southern mainline. Impressive they managed to arrange an extra train like that tbh

[@jonssonnicolas]

I live in sweden and have traveled from the (north) Gällivare to klaverström (south) and from Stockholm to göteborg (east go west) and these trains have given me plenty of trouble. Its almost always 30 minutes delay to maximum 4-5 hour on the longest train ride (18 hour). Swedish train system needs a seroius revolution.

[@phantasma1747]

Back when these we're running for the Uppsala-Stockholm commute, there was a reason to buy 1st class: To get somewhere to sit! These trains were always very overcrowded. For long distance there is almost no bag which fits in the overhead compartment which is really strange... It's like 25 cm in height tops.

[@GunnarCreutz]

Some years ago I travelled a lot with X40 and I learned to like it. The trick was to know which seats to avoid. I quickly learned that a 2nd class ticket with no seat reservation was the best for me. I found it better to move around a bit, than to be stuck in one of the uncomfortable seats.

[@titanotheres]

I often travel on these from Linköping to Stockholm and I quite like them for that purpose. They are generally less crowded than the high speed trains and are less affected by delays since they start in Linköping and are therefore unaffected by issues further south. They are probably a less reliable on the same trip in the other direction tough. In addition they are slightly cheaper than the high speed train and only a little bit slower.

[@ReyOfLight]

Stockholm-Linköping is pretty short distance though, and well within what's acceptable for a regional train. You'd probably HATE these trains if taking one from Stockholm to Gothenburg which is about 5 hours, or another route of similar travel time. X40 is fit for 1-2 hours travel time at the most...

[@mrborgeusborg1541]

As someone that has traveled many times by train in Sweden over the years, the x40 is in my opinion made for short commutes. Maximum 1-2 hours. Over that, the back starts to be a problem. Recently, I had to take a 3hours travel with X40 and my back started to hurt in the end. In the other direction I needed to pick between x40 for 5 hours, or taking the long way into Stockholm than board x2. I picked x2.

[@mdhazeldine]

What is that gorgeous looking loco-hauled train in the last shot? You should take a ride on that thing, whatever it is!

[@Simon-Andersen]

@@mdhazeldine it's a SJ Intercity or Regional loco and carriages, much older but still better than the X40

[@kimtalmansverige]

I always have problems when travelling with X40, especially northbound from Stockholm to Gävle. I rather take X3000 or Mälartåg if I'm travelling between Stockholm and Gävle. I would recommend that you try out the regional X-tåg from Gävle up north, they're reliable even in the harshest winter conditions.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Id love to try out more of Swedens train operators!

[@FinnishSpotting]

The seats look like something that would be in Finland lol! Also love your videos! ❤

[@johannessamuelsson6578]

No wonder, the overhaul program is actually done by VR FleetCare at their facility in Oulu. This means that each unit needs to be loaded onto a transfer wagon at the break-of-gauge in Haparanda.

[@FinnishSpotting]

@@johannessamuelsson6578 thanks!

[@vertitis]

I used to rid the X40 when it was new, to Nyköping when I was studying. And the thing that you could compare to at the time was the old regional. The X40 was a god sent, especially for peeps like myself that always ride second class(Can't stand the snobs). It was also more silent and calmer ride than the regular trains of the time. Me and my travel companions would take a table on the second floor and play Mario Kart 64 on my laptop with controllers hooked up. I usually just have a laptop bag or a rucksack when I travel. Don't see the point to bring your home with you. Not even when I go to the US I bring a bunch of stuffs. Just some basic wear and some Djungelvrål to treat the American's to.

[@chenseanxy]

This was the first ever train I took in Sweden, and staying on top at a table with all four seats filled was nightmare even just for 2 hours. On the return I took the X2000 and it was much, much better

[@Adawck]

You do get lounge access with the 1 class ticket, aswell as a glass wall that doesn’t exists in 2 class. And remember, the seats can recline with the button on the armrest.

[@Simon-Andersen]

No lounge in Uppsala, so i guess only buy first if your station has one haha

[@newperspective5918]

I have spent a lot of time on these trains between Linköping and Uppsala. I find them more comfortable than the older trains but not as good as the X2000 and above. Used to be exciting to be able to sit 1 floor up, but nowadays that is pretty common on other trains as well. For me, the lack of bistro on the train is the biggest disappointment.

[@fontheking5]

If you want to ( try ) the worst trains in Sweden, you should come down here to Skåne and try ( if you are lucky ) the purple Alstom X61 Pågatågen commuter trains. First of all, there is a massive risk your train journey will be cancelled, since that's how Skånetrafiken does it, always blaiming tresspassers, track problems, broken signals, lack of staff when they don't want to drive the trains. In fact in the month of June, 999 pågatågen trips were cancelled, yes it is true 😮 Also the seats are very uncomfortable, very hard and very tiny, if you are slightly above average height, your head will be above the headrests and your legs will have no support either.

[@iCE2sKY]

The old Pågatågen trains which I use to travel in Skåne 25 years ago are now in Norrland. I`ve traveled a such quite recently from Boden to Umeå. In fact regardless cold winter here they are more reliable than new trains ! :)

[@michaelbruchas6663]

The jump seats (folding seats) are weird though some of our Metra trains here in Chicago - have them on the upper decks. The sofa seats look neat but facing a wall not windows? No food service on that long a route? Crazy!

[@Ikaelgo]

I travelled on that same train six times this summer, between Stockholm and Bollnäs. Four of the six times were awful - because of the bloody AC!🥶 It was freezing. After having been advised by train staff that it was better to book 1st class because it was on the upper floor and, therefore, usually warmer, I booked 1st class for my remaining four trips. On the penultimate trip I got into my carriage and it was freezing! I asked the staff about it and she said that ”We have managed to fix the AC in 1st class today - bu nowhere else”. PLEASE can I sit anywhere BUT in 1st class then, I asked. She arranged it, to my relief. I suffer from rheumatic disease and AC is my worst enemy. So, yes it was fairly warm on the train, but I knew I now wouldn’t suffer from extra pain for days, due to the AC. So I was happy.😊 And after travelling for an hour I received an apologetic e-mail, promising money back, because of the temperature issue. Yes - the FREEZING 1st class, that’s definitely making me eligible for a refund, I thought. But, of course, it was the lack of AC everywhere else in the train that was the real reason for the refund….

[@Simon-Andersen]

Really has a lot of issues this train. I find the temprature is ussualy good on SJs other trains

[@lars-olovremstam2731]

Only once have I traveled with the X40 and it was round trip Gävle-Stockholm several years ago. The train was too cramped for my taste and I am 184 centimeters tall and weigh over 100 kilograms. The Regina trains, on the other hand, are super comfortable and recently I tried the newer double-decker ER1 which I liked.

[@alexanderforselius]

Is there any already winter in Stockholm? People bathed with some cool joy last week here in Western Sweden!

[@Simon-Andersen]

Filmed in February, I don't edit from day to day 😁

[@jamie514]

everyone in that crowded train looked miserable to be stuck with that equipment 😒

[@oscarfriberg7661]

Other bad things about X40: - The overhead compartment can’t even fit smaller suitcases. It’s often a huge problem to find proper space for the luggage. - The handicap toilet on the 1st class car is usually smelly. - The order of the cars is seemingly random, which makes it difficult to find your seat. - Power outlets are often broken. - The foldable part of the tables are connected in a confusing way. I’ve spilled coffee due to how they’re connected. - Power outlets are often broken. - SJ mix between reserved and non reserved seats, which adds lots of confusion for the passengers. They should’ve just made all seats reserved. Mälartåg and VR are much better in comparison.

[@mariadelmarjimenezarroyo]

Excellent video

[@fredburley9512]

Looks gorgeous inside, and solidly engineered, though lack of catering does seem a bit odd. 👍

[@lennartvik562]

I was testleader on those Alstom X40 train for more than 3 years and have a lot of experience from tests for construktion evalueation pourpose, in more than one year, and later delivery tests for more than two years. It is an outdated construktion especially from a mecanical wiewpoint. The positive outcome was than the test took a long time and involved personal had a steady good income... What about the trains then? The first delivered trainmodule has been already been scraped due to corrosion... The byer SJAB, did do a hastely purchase and the specifications was not followed by Alstom in any way. SJAB had a lack of trains at the time and did not inhibit the purcase, but could have done so... since the construction did not follow the contract by far...

[@miguellindstrom4204]

Do you visited the InnoTrans in Berlin?

[@Simon-Andersen]

Not this year

[@KungKokkos]

I love the second floor, great view. I think they look kinda good too but obviously a different color would be preferable..

[@MathiasHellquist]

I always find it amusing how the sliding (hah) glass doors open as you wave you hand in front of them. The irony is that those doors also have braille text on them, presumably to warn blind travellers about the door, or that they are about to fall down stairs...but the only way to read it for blind people would be to hold out their hand to touch the text, which obviously will open the door as that is how they work. I would love to see the usability test results for that "solution".

[@Eingeloggtful]

Compared to Swiss Intercity double decker trains (especially Stadler ones) the interior design seems very nice in these swedish trains! Big windows, cozy and liveable interior, would like to have this in switzerland too…

[@user-zh9kc7tw4n]

I have been on this service many times and the natural light you get in them is amazing compared to the new trains.

[@Zippyboy93]

Uppsala station seems to be a really nice station! I wish more stations were like this.

[@jfmezei]

Had to look it up. This is a Coradia type of train, of true Alstom heritage as opposed to ABB/AdTranz/Bombardier lineage. Am curious on why it is still unreliable so many years after its introduction. When your video started, I looked up the distance between Uppsala and Stockholm and tought : they call that long distance? 🙂 Since these are 2-3 car units, I can understand not allocating a full car to a café. However, back in the days, VIA rail (canada) could fit a small food place in an Budd RDC (DMU from the 1950s) and still have plenty of seats in the rest of the DMU. It was just a kiosk where you ordered food and you would bring it back to your seat. (VIA has eliminated those of course, and provides trolley service across the train now - no hot meals possible - except in business class where the galleys are still operational). Question: does first class ticket grant you access to lounges at departing/arriving stations? Curious on why they bother offering such tickets on those trains. One possibility is a problem similar to aviation where you book a $10,000 first class trans atlantic ticket with a suite, shower, massage, 10 course meal etc, and then transfer to a regional jet that has coach only and very tight seat pitch. Is it possible this first is offered for similar connection where person has a true first class experience from say Mälmo to Stockholm and then the fake "first class" ticket to Upsalla?

[@konradolofssonkautsky2150]

No-one calls the trip from Upsala to Stockholm long. In fact Stockholms local commuter trains serve the same journey seeing lots of daily commuters.

[@davebowman6497]

Yes, they call it long distance. Because the service runs from Ljusdal to Linköping. Simon just rode a one-stop part of it. I don't have a rail milage of that, but to approximate I looked up the road distance: 542 km. Simons ride was roughly 70 km.

[@Simon-Andersen]

As Dave said, while i only took a 70km trip, the trains entire route is 500km + There is a lounge at Stockholm you can use going northbound, but i guess they mostly indeed just have first class to have first class.

[@Alex-se4tk]

I traveled on the X40 on the distance Gävle to Stockholm, and not having food onboard + most of the toilets broken or closed were miles worse compared to their X55 trains, which had at least some food serving

[@dolsson296]

my worst trip with one of those trains was when i was going from Alingsås to Köping, that takes like 3 hours, and something happend with the toilet system so it smelled like shit for almost the whole tripp

[@nallebrean]

The best seats are in the lower floor in the middle. Upper floor makes me sea sick and it's a bit claustrophobic with the bended sealing. Make a box next time.

[@viinisaari]

Hey! That's my city! And a route I take quite often. For a short trip like this, the trains are fine, but for longer journeys definitely not the best.

[@hawkertyphoon4537]

Another Regional train pressed into long distance travel, with few adaptations.

[@Ghfvhvfg]

SBB is so guilty of this and i hate it

[@trainenthusiast7695]

As regional express trains they seem to do quite well. I personally find them to be very comfortable but lacking a kiosk/bistro.

[@timbounds7190]

Very odd - I couldn't tell the difference between 1st and 2nd class at all! And such an awful layout with seats scattered around / steps and doors everywhere. I really would NOT fancy a long trip in one of the seats that faces inwards opposite the toilets! How can anyone think that they might be a good idea?

[@JockeWahlberg]

@@timbounds7190 the toilet is usually locked for staff at those 4 seats in car 3.

[@OskarOH]

The reason you couldn't tell the difference is really rather simple: there is no difference. Calling it first class is a scam.

[@Riiludragon]

if someone takes your reserved seat you can just politely ask them to move

[@BrokenBackMountains]

Yeah, some people are relying on you to not to say anything so they get a better seat. I had to ask someone to move on an Irish train when I was travelling with a broken back in a brace and two broken hands. He actually tried to ignore me until I showed my name above the seat.

[@Simon-Andersen]

I did not bother kicking them out, because I’d have to get up again and bother them a lot to film this video on a 40 min journey. The comment was mostly just to why there was a lack of usual seat shots :-)

[@elliottp3751]

I like the X40, the seats are comfortable and the interior overall it’s pretty neat. The trains actually had vending machines installed but later they were removed due to failures caused by the shaking when reaching high speeds. From december this year SJ will cancel the commuter service between Stockholm and Uppsala due to their unstable economy. Instead Mälartåg will run their trains between Stockholm and Uppsala with high frequency. Meaning that SJ will have more X40 trains and older InterCity trains in the depot.

[@paulthiel5145]

But would you pay for the first class product, and if so why?

[@2xtreem4u]

SJ way of repairing something is to remove it completely

[@JockeWahlberg]

The X40 is not used that much to Uppsala, just a few trains per day - but those trains are also used at Mälarbanan in the morning rush, so there'll not be more X40 in depot. Maybe even less, as they will be modernized in Finland, and two sets were in an accident earlier this week.

[@Edward256]

All Mälar? When I looked for tickets from Skövde to Uppsala any connection with Mälar made the price go from 300 to 700 or 1000. Is it going to be less cheap to get up there as of next year?

[@cityuser]

@@Edward256 Mälartåg have fixed prices. From Stockholm to Uppsala it's 105 SEK (might go up a little next year). So if you buy Skövde to Stockholm for 300 SEK from SJ or VR it'll be 405 SEK.

[@AlienTreeGuy]

I never knew these were bad? I take these every time I go back home from the UK (Stockholm, Arlanda - Sundsvall) and I've never really had a problem with them. I find the seats way more comfortable and spacious than any of the UK ones, plus they always have charging options.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Now modern UK trains aren't excatly great either. If you get the chance to compare this to a Swedish X2000 or locohauled train i think you'd like those more than these.

[@Zugfaehrtdurch]

You also find that 2+2 config in the X3000 first class. I don't see what you get for the premium when you don't have more space for you and your luggage.

[@Simon-Andersen]

At least in the 3000 you get free coffee etc but it's not an amazing product either

[@Zugfaehrtdurch]

Even no coffee, that's really bad, the coffee bar is the nicest thing in Scandinavian first class compartements ;-) Why can't all first class compartments be like the X2000 or the duplex TGV?

[@HugoLindfors]

Haha, I've taken this exact route many times before from Bollnäs to Stockholm when I lived in Alfta, which is close by.

[@subwar1]

What do you mean by unreliable?

[@Simon-Andersen]

That they break down more than most other trains in SJs fleet. www.nyteknik.se/nyheter/sj-satter-forsenad-dubbeldackare-i-trafik/929339

[@Jule_bule]

I hope the new civitys SJ are ordering, complimenting the x40 and replacing the rest of the rc6:s will be better than this

[@Rodoeht12345]

They won't. From my experience CAF trains are way worse than Alstom trains. Spanish and Italian trains can't handle our climate and their quality control is non-existant with parts falling off, bearings not being sealed well enough so water gets inside and ruin the grease and so on

[@C20F]

@@Rodoeht12345 CAF couldn't even figure out how to build trams properly, this is a disaster waiting to happen.

[@Rodoeht12345]

@@C20F Exactly!

[@OskarOH]

@@C20F Yeah, I am not looking forward to the CAF trains either. During a meeting, where we spoke about the new trains, I actually brought up some of the issues CAF trains and trams have had around the world over the years, including personal experiences, and to say the executives were surprised is an understatement.

[@DrivingOnTheRoad]

Nice video 👍👍👍

[@Simon-Andersen]

Thank you 👍

[@mikeromadin8744]

What you expect from Alstom - company, where right hand doesn't know what left is doing... You swedes sometimes doing strange decisions - buying stuff from the dodgy companies for little bit cheapper price initially, then you pay twice. This is relevant for transportation and energy sectors.

[@Alex-se4tk]

nothing new here, many things have been delayed due to our probably unique "offentlig upphandling" which forces the companies to accept whatever company that made the lowest bid

[@MrPeddapee]

With the fist class ticket you should at least take a free fika at SJ lounges, located in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö 😊

[@fernbedek6302]

Got to count the Presbyrans at any major Swedish train station. I think Gothenburg has at least 3 and Stockholm at least 5.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Swedish Railway Stations :Handshake: Presbyrån

[@Drago1995]

if you reserved it you need to tell the persoon off

[@Simon-Andersen]

I did not bother kicking them out, because I’d have to get up again and bother them a lot to film this video on a 40 min journey. The comment was mostly just to why there was a lack of usual seat shots :-)

[@Drago1995]

@@Simon-Andersen aah ok, but my cheap brain couldn't do it xD

[@urbanshepherdgroup2418]

I can't remember the last time we boarded this train without all our reserved seats being occupied. It happens every time.😂 and we have to sit on the sideways seats for 2 hour's

[@TRAVEL.HIGHLIGHTS]

🙂 Interessting to see Sweeden Train .... we never tried it.... Maybe one time we will try it.... 😉

[@cityuser]

4:44 I have had to sit on those fold-down seats in front of the toilet when it's been really crowded. I can testify that there is NOT much room for people to pass!

[@johnpekkala6941]

9 times out of 10 when I ride these trains the only places left are these where you are just staring right into the toilet watching people entering and leaving instead of being able to enjoy the view outside. In order to actially see outside the train instead of watching the toilet you more or less have to twist your head off as the windows are right behind you! Also you need to stand up and cram yourself against the wall each time anyone want to pass by! Not a good design/layout in this area for sure!

[@Jernstrooom]

These trains aren't that bad tbh, as long as you travel shorter distances instead of longer ones... from Gävle to Stockholm it is fine, but from Gothenburg to Örebro there were just too many stops. I also didn't have seat reservation during that trip from Gothenburg, and since the train was overbooked, I had to sit at one of those folded seats in that narrow walkway next to the toilet... quite an awkward place to sit at, and also annoying with all the people walking past you. So seat reservation is recommended on these trains!

[@northbush]

This train is absolute dogshit. spent far too much time on these trains commuting from Stockholm to Uppsala. When they first came out there was no cell-service on the train- not 4g, 3g or even 2g… For some reason they didnt make sure you could use your phone on the train!! Since then they say they have fixed it but they havnt really- its a bit better but still you drop calls on the train… Also there was something wrong with the door-lock on the toilets… weird to have seats just outsite the toilet looking in… and when the locks didnt work if you were unlucky you would have an audience while on the bathroom… Just hilariously bad.. And dont get me started on the breakdowns and all the times the train was late because of some weird reason…

[@C20F]

Right!

[@57thorns]

And the reason this is important it not "commuter wants to read email or kids need to watch netflix", it is the paperless tickets. You need cell coverage to connect to the servers yo show your ticket.

[@trainjacobsweden]

I have never really liked X40.

[@StayOntheRightTrack]

SJ's X2000 and Rc-locomotives and 80s cars are great. The rest... well, not so great. 02:58 who was sitting in your reserved seat? And why did you not ask them to move? That is the whole point of paying for a reserved seat, isn't it?

[@Simon-Andersen]

I did not bother kicking them out, because I’d have to get up again and bother them a lot to film this video on a 40 min journey. The comment was mostly just to why there was a lack of usual seat shots :-) This is why i try to book 2+1 First class to cause the least disturbance to other passengers

[@IamMagPie]

@@Simon-Andersen Oh, that is nice and considerate of you. Thanks for making these videos. Greetings from Norway.

[@backstab86]

someone sitting in my seat, then i just sit beside and lay of huge farts on them.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Tactic for next time haha

[@Schnaitheimer]

At least, I appreciate the compartement doors, it's what I really miss on the German IC2. (Different to others, I kind of like the German IC2, especially as the head part of the seats is not so strongly shaped as the one on the ICE4 seats. I had the direct comparison just yesterday, when I needed to catch some sleep.) But I don't get, why you didn't complain about the person on your reserved seat or did you expect that they would still sit next to you and hinder filming?

[@C20F]

You won't as the doors rattle all the time while using sensors instead of buttons, that doesn't work. Junk!

[@2xtreem4u]

There used to be 2 vending machines onboard the train but they were removed instead of getting repaired

[@TheLanguageAssistant]

I don’t understand why Alstom sacrifices so much of the upper and lower decks due to such a strangely placed set of stairs. For the Regional train from Gothenburg to Stockholm, I don’t know why trains were acquired that are only 3 coaches long.

[@Simon-Andersen]

There are even some 2 car ones!

[@TheLanguageAssistant]

@@Simon-Andersen That kind of makes it even worse. A regional train once an hour Gothenburg Stockholm seemed to me to be quite a popular connection whenever I’ve used it and don’t understand why the trains aren’t six coaches long.

[@johankaewberg8162]

X40 is… not good. Give me X2000 any day. The cruise ship of the rails, to make a strange image.

[@physiocrat7143]

Double deck trains are utterly pointless in Sweden. What were SJ managers thinking of when they ordered these?

[@birklindgren4774]

Even if you have a second class ticket they just let you seat where you like unless someone has just that seat so yeah its not really a first and second class it´s just there to be there

[@ExplorebyRail]

So far, I really liked all trains I have been on in Sweden. But it seems like the Hippo is about to change that :D

[@Simon-Andersen]

I recommend not doing the full Ljusdal to Linköping regional, unless you really want to suffer for content :p

[@johanjohan8019]

As a train driver the X40 is by far the most reliable train the SJ have to date. Not much can stop this train. I would rather drive X40 than X2

[@C20F]

Haha, du har avvikande åsikter gällande den frågan.

[@JockeWahlberg]

​@@C20Ftror nog de flesta förare kan hålla med om pålitligheten av X40 jämfört med X2... Det är ju bara kolla hur mycket fel det är på X2orna nu för tiden. Havererar ju nån X2a varje månad.

[@johanjohan8019]

@@C20F jo, jag har märkt det bland kollegorna hahahah

[@Simon-Andersen]

Maybe they have improved over the years! I just haven't been able to find any data or articles to support this. I don't think Sj publishes reliability of their fleet publically like DSB do over here in DK :-)

[@spellindgren6940]

jag älskar att resa med x40. jättestora böjada fönster på övervningen med bord och laddutag. förstår inte dessa klagomål, under 100kr biljetten som ungdom och jag reser i sådan lyx!! finns inget caffe och det är tråkigt, men man kan alltid bara ta med en thermos då om det är så viktigt. Verkligen folk har inte perspektiv på dåliga tåg, kolla indien liksom eller andra länder i europa.