The Norwegian SLEEPER train experience with SJ

Hi folks,
Welcome to this very first overnight train trip report in Norway, it's one of the last country in Europe that I haven't reviewed their sleeper services, I was very very very excited!
Enjoy!
- TRIP INFORMATION -
RECORDED SEPTEMBER 2022
Railroad company: SJ Norge
Train type: EL 18 (engine) BC5 coaches and WLAB-2
From: Oslo to Trondheim
Time: 7h38
Price: 1309 NOK - around 128€
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00:00 : Intro
01:39 : Oslo S
02:47 : Pre check-in
03:04 : Norwegian sleeper
04:01 : Swiss sibling ?
04:37 : Boarding
05:30 : Departure & spot by Tom
06:45 : Review of the compartment
09:05 : Mid roll ads
09:33 : Nighty night
10:05 : Good morning
10:27 : Fresh air
11:20 : Walkthrough of the train
13:31 : Toilets Time
14:05 : Coffee with a view
14:44 : Arrival at sunrise
15:01 : Thoughts and conclusion
15:37 : Outro

[@danialahmadariffinlee1510]

It amuses me that SJ (Swedish operator) gets the tender to operate to the north of Norway while VY (Norwegian operator) gets the tender to operate trains to the North of Sweden including the Narvik route. (Granted, Narvik is in Norway).

[@torris]

For trains from Trondheim towards Sweden the section between Trondheim and the border is operated by SJ, and the section from the border to Östersund is operated by Vy.

[@kimofabuja]

Promoting world peace and oneness

[@HrHaakon]

Given that rail freight is completely dominated by CargoNet and GreenCargo, who are locked in a death spiral competing for customers with the lowest prices possible, and those are owned by the Norwegian and Swedish governments respectively, the whole thing is amusing. Capitalism: If the private sector won't do it, the government better get on with it! :D

[@anastasio_giorghio]

Wow Oslo' s Sentralstasjon looks stunning, fabulous, brilliant, phenomenal and spectaculous. Love from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@haraldthenderupjensenesker1854]

You should see it at rush hour… freaks absolutely everywhere 😂

[@AndreSB43]

I would say the quality of service is the same with SJ as with NSB (now VY), as both companies only deal with the customer side of the train lines. All the trains themselves are owned by a different company, Norske Tog (Norwegian trains) and are the same for SJ, VY and GoAhead but with different colours.

[@chrisdean6700]

Very good & informative video! Everything looks clean & modern in Oslo; I wish our stations & trains were like that here in America.

[@kevinellis8869]

Friday is the best day of the week, always look forward to your videos and your You Tube colleagues. I prefer the overnight/long distances trips to commuter services. Keep up the good work.

[@jillcox6685]

Thoroughly enjoying your videos, thank you. Love travelling by train, have taken trains all over England, Scotland and Wales. Your videos have enabled me to "travel " further.

[@walkietalkietraveller2932]

it is hard to beat travelling by train.... when they are running ! hahaha.

[@Benjamin0c]

Amazing ride ! Scandinavian trains are awesome. Thanks Tom for the spot😊

[@maxshenkwrites]

I've been plotting a trip to Norway for a while; knew I wanted to come in to Oslo and also knew I wanted to do the Trondheim-Bodo train, but wasn't sure of connections. I'm still kind of hoping to explore Bergen and the Flam line, but I'm glad to know that this is available as an affordable option to make that Oslo-Trondheim connection easily. Thank you!

[@Zin.Khant.Corner]

Re 460 engine,which is the most beautiful engine I ever saw.And thanks for making this video bro.Have a nice day and take care of yourself.

[@TutorialesDePiano2024]

I like the video nice job

[@timnewman1172]

Very nice accomodations... it probably wouldn't work for the long distances of North America, but we need more intermediate trains like this too. Thanks Thibault!!!

[@val91201]

And at speeds greater than 45 mph

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip. Perfect train on perfect route and also perfect departure and arrival time.

[@baldviking1970]

I took this ride a few weeks ago. I take it several times a year. I think it is pretty good 😊

[@chrisdean6700]

I'm gonna visit Norway some day, (not in winter) 😁

[@scottyerkes1867]

Nice ride. Good bed. Lack of shower would be a down side for me. Thanks Thibault for an excellent report😀💚

[@barvdw]

That said, with such an early arrival, I think a shower in Trondheim station would be a perfectly acceptable alternative.

[@scottyerkes1867]

@@barvdw Yes. Good idea.

[@sirgermanm78]

Excellent as well! You're great! Blessings!

[@lusasilva4643]

Very nice, i love sleeper trains, thanks for sharing!

[@theobrattinga500]

Great video !!

[@ianmosely3441]

I enjoyed the vid. Hope to see more.

[@mikeedwards9306]

Looking like a great way to get north, good viewing,thanks.

[@luisstransport]

Great trip report

[@olekvi]

You should have walked all the way to the front inside the train for a look at the new Premium Plus car equipped with (close to) lay flat seats in a 1 + 2 configuration. You may see it in the outside footage leaving Oslo S, and you will find this type of car in all loco hauled trains on the Dovre line and on night trains on the Nordland line 🙂 Nice video - keep up the good work!

[@TheArmouredArmadillo]

That actually sounds like a really nice balance between classic coach/standard and a sleeper booth

[@kereta58]

Very nice videos. Trains beautiful

[@pale80]

In Finland we have same family locos and here they are called Sr2.

[@udayaellepola4787]

Keep it good work ❤️👍

[@TrainLoverHimu]

Excellent video 👌👌

[@Konkacha]

I'm surprised NS don't detach a couple of coaches at Trondheim and put them onto a loco hauled service bound for Bodo as that would directly connect Oslo to Bodo. Lovely video.

[@magtje]

NS as in Nederlandse Spoorwegen (from The Netherlands) 🤔 The most likely reason they SJ don't put thru coaches from Oslo to Bodo is: 1. it's a long distance with approx 18hrs on train vs 1 1/2 hrs on a plane. So few passenger. 2. Severe lack of available trains (incl loco and coaches). Norways long haul rolling stock is old with loco and coaches btw 25-40 yrs old. EMUs (type 73) is newer but also approaches 25 yrs in service. There are regular (often) cancelation on long haul trains due to train breakdown or lack of available trains, especially after the services was split into 3 diff companies (SJ, GoAhead and VY. VY = old Norwegian State Railway). No new trains was provided then the split happend. Due to the lack of trains and the age it requires more downtime. Therefore no thru train Oslo - Bodo. But the rolling stock provider do now have a tender out for 14 new longhaul trains (with more on options) for delivery from 2026. 3. National technical requirement. I'm not completely sure what this is about but I know then VY got new used couchette coaches to Bergen Line, they said that it was difficult to find do to Norway requirements. 4 Power difference. South of Trondheim (to Oslo) is run on electric while north of Trondheim to Bodo is run on diesel.

[@Konkacha]

@@magtje Not sure why I put NS! Thanks for an explanation, hope the new long haul trains fix the equipment problem as even if few passengers go all the way to Bodo from Olso, at least more passengers can board at Trondheim hence serving all involved. There would def have to be a loco change for sure though which could be an issue.

[@sammartland932]

Those sleepers are my very comfortable, and I love the little key cards. I've come into Trondheim by coach train and transferred to the sleeper to Bødo. Not too long of a wait between them, and a decent waiting room to be in. I'm pretty sure it's the same way in the morning: easy transfer to the Nordlandsbanen train to Bodø. Did your train have one of the family cars with two-level playground for kids? Those might only be on some of the day trains--worth a look if you are ever on a train that has one.

[@ivarnordlkken8082]

It have never been scheduled direct cars in my lifetime. The biggest reason is that a sleeping car is not convenient for daytime travel, and Oslo-Bodø requires both a day and a night to travel.Thou SJ has expressed a desire to try it out. Someday.

[@SimplyRailway]

I agree! It'd make total sense

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Nice video! After travelling this route a few years ago my Portuguese partner (who has to have an espresso first thing in the morning!) went to the first cafe we found open in Trondheim.....where she 'enjoyed' by far and away the most expensive coffee she'd ever experienced! Yes, a lovely journey in a very comfortable sleeper (pillows can never be "too soft" for me) - although I didn't sleep well in comparison to many other overnight train journeys due to the amount of twists and turns on the route.

[@ghosttrainhunters451]

I recently did the day version of this train, up to hike in Jotunheim region, so got off a few stops before trondheim. Great route and great train.

[@ArathornPL.]

Can you go to Poland? Because it has some really interesting train routes: - Train on the hel peninsula, - High speed trains, - Normally used steam train. This will be cool if you reviev those. Greetings from Poland. PS. Nice video.

[@johnjohansson9171]

He has….

[@tonysrailwayadventure2729]

great little video I might be going to Norway in February might try that sleeper service looks good. I've subscribe to your channel

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

Amazing.

[@calzabbath]

What I like about your video is that you use captions and let the landscape speak for itself, instead of clogging up people’s ears like most egotistical channel owners, whatever their subjects. Great shooting too. Thanks.

[@cherylsemrau7100]

Very nice. Greetings from Canada.

[@esbenstenwig4864]

Best travel channel on yt!!

[@saniketnamnaik7330]

Cleanliness is awesome

[@happyontour9471]

Have a nice trip to Trondheim, my hometown!😀🙋‍♀ I recommend this song: Train to Trondheim by Sir Douglas Quintet 😄😄😄👍

[@hollyleaftheblackcat4532]

It's really funny that the sudden flash of those RE460s lol

[@LePetitChatNoir79]

I love Norway so much. Someday I’ll get there. 🥰

[@steinarhaugen7617]

Welcome!

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video

[@lp-fluzaotf]

Good job. Congratulation. Luiz Paulo - Rio de Janeiro - Brasil

[@AndrewG1989]

Those sleeper trains are very nice.

[@Tuukkohakee]

I still find the Finnish sleepers to be the best out of european once, but this service looks really pleasent too.

[@DFWRailVideos]

Very cool! I've always been interested in Norwegian trains, from the high-priority fish train to these night trains. I'd love to go someday! Since you've been doing some commuter rail videos in the US, have you considered checking out DART here in Dallas? If so, I can give you some information about the system and it's backstory, plus info on the trains and the lines. Enjoyed the video, keep it up!

[@RSTEWARTBOCK]

I enjoyed the video. However, you overlooked the Vy Rail overnight train between Oslo and Bergen.

[@meawmeaw3948]

Nice sleep train

[@soavemusica]

Food review always needed, please.

[@petrsovicka]

Again a great piece of train science with a bit of unintended black humour too! (Referring to the conversion of prices...€/$)

[@valeriebassett3107]

That was cool to see you in the sleeper car filming. Haha. Great video. What has been your favorite trip.

[@timosha21]

I'm a tram and I approve this video!!!

[@Nazir-WalkAroundTheCity]

🚶🚂👍Nice video, 🚶Good job 👌🖐️ Have a nice day ☀️☕✋ Regards Janusz from Warsaw Poland ✋🇵🇱✌️

[@TheZmusicGroup]

Je suis impressionné par la modernité de ces voitures couchettes. J'espère vraiment que le train de nuit va faire son grand retour en Europe... il faut aussi pour cela que les prix du trains ne soient pas complètement hors sol...

[@paulpjy4996]

Thank you always enjoying seeing other countries sleeper cars compared to the Amtraks.

[@APiesc]

Good video of a great journey! During the 1990s I travelled a lot in Scandinavia, mostly by train. The cars in this video seems to be about 30 years old. Anyway, they're in a good state. I'm surprised that there wasn't a shower in your car or train because then a lot of sleeper-cars in Norway and Sweden were equipped with showers. And btw - who needs breakfast in the train? People can have it at the station or in the dining car, that's enough.

[@davidzugspitzfan2301]

04:09 i love the hint to SBB/CFF/FFS

[@mehdishahin7645]

Norway mean quality ❤

[@aliaksandranikovich6300]

I am taking great overview.

[@TheOisannNetwork]

It did improve a little bit, yeah. Not by much, but a small renovation can do wonders.

[@gulshanbano4121]

Really enjoyed Thanks From Lahore Pakistan 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@PaulCashman]

Aha, someone besides me who dislikes pillows that are too soft! Great report, as usual!

[@jb0609]

i hate them too

[@blatherskite9601]

NSB used to have a very pleasant bar/dining car. Didn't see any mention of it.

[@ethancampbell6076]

5:33 Similar to DB BR 101 traction motors and it sounds godly.

[@sebasbek]

Удивительно, когда видишь дешевое решение, недостаточно уютные вагоны и понимаешь, насколько Российские железные дороги ушли вперед и действительно удобны для пассажиров. Ожидал увидеть более приглядную картину.

[@bjrnpost4633]

I think that that dmu you met might have beem multi mode. Diesel, electric and battery. There are relativly newly delivered sets that can run on all those because of where they operate.

[@noahyoutube1358]

i suggest you to go to bergen. its worth is and on the way back can you hop of at myrdal and take the flåm railway. btw ive been waiting for this vid

[@espenlia7657]

All rolling stock is owned by state-owned Norske Tog AS and leased to Vy, SJ Nord and GoAhead. The lessee is responsible for foils/painting of wagons etc.

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Boa tarde simply legal trem gostei cama 🛏

[@BobGeogeo]

Micro single sleepers would be a great option. Mushy pillows suit me.

[@MTM4]

6:30 same for me :)

[@HrHaakon]

Should be said that in at least Oslo and Bergen, they cooperate with local hotels giving you a pretty hefty rebate on breakfast and shower access. I don't know if that's advertised in the English site though.

[@uncinarynin]

Ah the most important thing is a quiet ride and a good bed (as well as cozy room temperature), it seems like all the basics are covered! How is Trondheim station equipped? Do you have a nice café for a decent breakfast? Maybe even the possibility to take a shower? When trains arrive that early, you can better sleep until shortly before arrival and do all the morning things afterwards at the station.

[@filmbrophobic]

sadly no café at the station and the station itself is quite a walk away from any good place. there's a kiosk with fresh pastries tho. can't remember any shower at the station, and the toilets have to be paid for. However, trondheim is about to get an entirely new station in a few years and that one is supposed to have all of these amenities. preparatory infrastructure work is already done so i expect the construction to start soon

[@Stache987]

It's not just Norway for the high prices on a Cafe service, you're a captive audience, whether it's a train, plane, fair, or a sporting event.. you'll pay through the nose.. on driving trips I've been known to carry a loaf of bread, lunch meat and cheese, only needed to stop for beverages, gas and bathroom.

[@bernardbouzon5499]

Le gabarit est très généreux.

[@-_James_-]

All hotels in Norway have super soft matrasses and pillows. It's like they want you to wake up with a sore back and neck.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I suppose that capital city stations are still fairly busy at around 23hr..I have done 3 overnight trains in Norway; Stavanger Oslo,Oslo Trondheim and Trondheim Fauske and that would have been around 1995 probably the same rolling stock but refurbished? Different locomotive mind you.

[@etbadaboum]

SJ openly operating is a great way to see that Norway is secretly run by the Swedes! :) (just kidding)

[@MainCamp_Norway]

Can you make a video about the Bergen and Flåms railway in Norway? One of the most scenic railway lines in Europe, and maybe even the world, but make sure to travel on both those lines at summer.

[@ianmosely3441]

The Railcowgirl site has those vids. The Flam one blows your mind.

[@NerdX151]

One thing I really don't like about the norwegian sleepers is how "sterile" the design is. The floor reminds me of a public restroom. Some (fake) wooden panels and carpets with warm colors would really help improve the design and overall experience. A prime example is the X2000, which has a really inviting interior that makes you "feel at home".

[@ilord112]

R h a Viking? Good video

[@ismojokinen5929]

you should make more videos from finland

[@alancawfield6549]

The only thing I know about Trondheim is that Rosenberg Football Club are from Trondheim.

[@suru7507]

toilet/ bathroom are not attached the sleeping cabin? Do you need to go to the end of the coach to use it? Also was your train a non stop one till your destination?

[@railwaystory121]

My dream…

[@osasunaitor]

Spotting game: earn 10 points every time Thibault compares Europe to the USA (trains, stations, landscapes...) for no apparent reason during his videos (Hint: this time it was at 6:24 )

[@filmbrophobic]

i've used this train more times than i can remember, but as a student the steep price increase for the cabin is way to big. don't understand why norway can't figure out couchettes at a more accessible price point. i still think this train is the most effective way to travel between oslo and trondheim, but with a good nights sleep at an afordable price it would actually be perfect

[@etbadaboum]

What's in store in the future for Norwegian trains? Infrastructure, rolling stock, etc. Thanks!

[@gab_v250]

Probably EMUs will replace the loco hauled day trains.

[@basstrip73]

@@gab_v250 They already (largely) have 😞

[@jellycoding]

Have you done the trip with Bergenbanen (spelling)?. It is classified as the world's most beautiful railway by many.

[@kenlarson944]

I took this sleeper car in 2011. Very good service.

[@viralinside4957]

Please make a video about Jakarta-Bandung HSR. The first high speed railway in Indonesia and in the southern hemisphere 🚄

[@HumbertoMesa]

They have wifi onboard? ... thanks for the ride. 🇺🇾

[@samtrak1204]

Do you get a good view of the passing scenery when sitting on the bed?

[@samtrak1204]

Why. isn't there direct train service between Oslo and Copenhagen? I had to change trains in Gothenburg.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Is there any advantage in arriving before 0700? What is there to do arriving somewhere that early? You've probably got a couple of hours to kill before anywhere's open

[@jatterhog]

In Sweden schools start at 8AM and one might want to go home first to change, eat breakfast with the family etc. Night trains in Sweden also arrive early in the morning, but one almost always has the possibility to sleep between 10PM and 7AM.

[@kristenburnout1]

Narvesen (The station kiosk) is open by then, as well as most people are going to work. Additionally, as the Dovre line is mostly single track, the early arrival will allow some leeway for trains going further north if there are any delays.

[@sammartland932]

@@jatterhog At least as of 2018 (when NSB was the operator) one could board the night trains at Oslo S a while before departure, to get extra sleep.

[@ivarnordlkken8082]

You don't have to mingle and be delayed by the local commuter trains.

[@jatterhog]

@@ivarnordlkken8082 fun fact: SJ’s InterCity train no 630 Oslo-Stockholm got forced to leave Oslo S 40 mins early (6:52 instead of 7:32) because they prioritized a rush hour local train over an international IC train…

[@pgchase4578043026]

(I'm not from Norway.) Is there also sleeper service Oslo-Bergen and Oslo-Stavanger? Thank you.

[@jarmoluotonen]

Yes, there is. Oslo-Bergen is operated by VY and Oslo-Stavanger is operated by Go-Ahead Norge, but rolling stock is same.

[@martinsheridan5308]

i like trains 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃

[@ancientmoon3448]

ok,look i said that i like this city,and what i would do-if i would be there:)😍

[@richardhazlett7070]

It looked like cafe car wasn't serving breakfast either.

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

Car design is less akin to Amtrak Viewliner than to Nippon Sharyo built MARC ll single level cars adapted for intercity or long distance use.

[@christopherwilkinson157]

I prefer a soft pillow.

[@davidtsvetovat9419]

Try ceske drahy railjet

[@neilhaas]

🇧🇻🇧🇻🇧🇻❤️