Traffic collapse in northern Sweden: washed-out tracks and two derailments impact rail freight
Author: Lubomir Cech
10.09.2025 | Rail freight links between northern and southern Sweden remain disrupted following extreme rainfall over Ångermanland.
As Järnvägar brings in an extensive reportage, two freight trains derailed on Sunday, one on the Main Line Through Upper Norrland and another on the Ådalen Line. Multiple sections of track are damaged, with traffic suspended on both Ådalen and Botniabanan routes. The region cannot rest just, now, as more torrential rain with possible landslides are expected, SVT Nyheter reports.
Arctic Rail Express derailment
Arctic Rail Express train from Oslo to Kiruna derailed west of Skorped near Lake Stugusjön. Five wagons left the track where the rail embankment was washed out. The incident occurred in a remote area, and repairs are expected to take at least one week. Recovery efforts are complicated by the terrain and the position of derailed wagons, some of which ended up partially submerged in the lake. According to Tidningen Ångermanlands, the train was also carrying ammunition.
Timber train derailed
On the Ådalen Line, train carrying roundwood derailed at Prästmon, south of Långsele. Around 500 metres of track are damaged, the embankment is undermined, and multiple catenary masts were destroyed. Clearance of scattered timber began Monday, with repairs expected to extend several more days.
Washed out tracks
Sunday’s rain caused flooding on both Ådalen and Botniabanan at various points. The affected sections include Sprängsviken–Hämrasviken, Harasjön–Solum, Västeraspby, Dynäs–Kramfors and Kramfors yard. By Monday, water had receded in some areas, but several sections remained submerged. Trafikverket has yet to complete full inspections or confirm a timeline for restoring traffic.
Impact of passenger traffic
Passenger services have been impacted throughout the region. SJ has suspended all overnight trains between Stockholm and northern Sweden, as well as high-speed services between Sundsvall and Umeå. Replacement buses are limited. Norrtåg has cancelled all services between Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik and currently replaces about one in three departures with buses. Fleet maintenance constraints in Umeå are forcing additional reductions on the Middle Line between Sundsvall and Storlien.
Cancellations and suspension of freight trains
The derailments have cut all rail freight traffic between Upper Norrland and the south. Cargonet cancelled its Monday night Oslo–Narvik departure and is preparing to resume operations from Tuesday night, depending on infrastructure availability. Its derailed train at Stugusjön reportedly carried dangerous goods, including diesel oil in cooling units, but in limited quantities.
Three daily steel slab trains between Luleå and Borlänge were suspended on Monday. SSAB production in Borlänge continues for now, supported by local inventory. Boliden’s copper shipments from Skellefteå to Helsingborg are also affected, with contingency plans for maritime transport if disruptions persist.
Green Cargo is preparing to resume operations on Ådalsbanan and Botniabanan with ETCS-equipped locomotives, as both routes operate under ERTMS. The limited availability of compliant rolling stock and trained drivers poses additional challenges. The company updates the current traffic information here.
Inlandsbanan cannot manage all rerouted traffic
While Inlandsbanan remains operational north of Östersund, its infrastructure is not equipped to handle more than isolated freight movements. It lacks electrification, has restricted axle loads, and a shortage of diesel locomotives and certified personnel. However, Onrail has received clearance to run a freight train along this corridor using a Eurodual locomotive with both electric and diesel propulsion. The route extends from Oslo via Kil, Ånge, Östersund and Storuman to Hällnäs and onward to Kiruna and Narvik.
Investigations on derailments ongoing
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority has not opened a formal investigation into the derailments at Skorped and Prästmon. A decision is pending, although data has been requested from involved parties. The agency previously investigated a similar derailment near Iggesund in August 2024, where track infrastructure failed under heavy rainfall.