European Railroad Discussion > Scandinavia trip Pt 7 - Saltsjobanan

In addition to the regional rail services run on the main SJ lines, Stockholm has an additional standard-gauge system that is not part of the overall SJ network. This is the Saltsjobanan, which operates from Slussen to Saltsjobaden, with a short branch to Solsidan. This line operates half-hourly frequencies, and has significant sections of single-track. Trains are generally 4-car EMUs, characterized by a flared-out carbody at the platform level. I have seen mention of possible plans to convert this line to LRT in the future. Currently the Saltsjobanan does not go directly into central Stockholm, but instead terminates in Sodermalm at Slussen Station, where a connection is made with the Tunnelbana. The current terminal is very dark and dingy, being located underneath a bunch of freeway/roadway infrastructure. It is also a single-track terminal, which must lead to operating headaches for the system.

1) Westbound train approaching Slussen Station.

2) Eastbound train leaving Ostervik.

3) Westbound train arriving Ostervik.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/14 21:03 by dwatry.

---

---

---

4) Eastbound train approaching Henriksdals Station. Train has just crossed a drawbridge over the Danviks Canalen, which was opened for about 10 minutes before the train arrived. Traffic on the adjacent roadway is backed up from the opening of the highway drawbridge.

5) Eastbound train at Henriksdals.

6) Westbound train emerging from tunnel at Henriksdals.

---

---

---

The stock used are older T-bana vehicles, recycled -- hence the extensions at platform level. Although it has been considerably modernized in the past fifty years, it's still somewhat of a stepchild to SL.

The photos, and indeed your entire series to date, have been very well done; thank you !

Best rgds, SZ

Thanks - I really enjoyed the trip and so wanted to share it. Did the Saltsjobanan used to have a bigger terminal before all the road infrastructure was built overhead?

The Slussen terminal has always been rather modest. Before 1955 there was a connection with the mainline used for freight (until then you could find goods waggons on Skeppsbron serving the Finland steam ship traffic). I think the steamer No 7 run to about 1957 serving the Atlas Copco factories half-way to Saltsjöbaden.

@SZ: When the old teak body equipment became obsolete in early 70 plans were to wholly abandon rail traffic. As a compromise, a batch of an ongoing delivery to the Underground was altered, skirts were added and pantograph placed on top. This provisional solution has then been running for about 40 years!
There are plans to replace this equipment with modern LRT and to connect with the circular tramway.

Tom

Tom:
Thank you for the correction regarding the present stock -- I had either forgotten it was ab initio, or did not realize it.

The photo here illustrates the terminal as it appeared in 1966, with the goods sidings still in use, an SJ V3 sitting in the distance.

Two questions:
- At the time the photo was taken, how did goods traffic reach this point from the rest of the SJ ?
- I noticed you mentioned 1955 -- did T-bana construction or something else make a direct connection with the Central-Södra link no longer possible ?

With best regards, SZ

---

During construction of the connection between the North and the South T-bana, the rly Mainline bridge had to be moved and a new tunnel was bored to the South station. The original connection with the harbour yard was just North of the old tunnel but most freight went east for about half a mile to near the viaducts, then turned Southwest through Hammarbyhamnen and through a tunnel (which still exists) with connection at South station to the Mainline. The picture is from the West side of South station looking towards City. The tunnel entrance is on this side about a 100 yard behind my back. To-day the yard is gone, the station with two island platform is underground and the local with 6 Bo6 suburban coaches and a class Du is long gone.

Tom

---

Tom, thank you for the additional information -- very enlightening !!

Best, SZ