Björkliden

Day of my trip with Arctic Circle Train - waking up arriving to Gällivare.

 The train is now on the Iron Ore Line (Malmbanan) and we have already passed Arctic Circle.

 It is nice to wake up in a real winter environment.

 Passengers are leaving the train in Gällivare

 WL6 train manufactured 1994

 Now leaving Gällivare for further north trip.

 Passing by Sjisjka station. Our train does not stop, but some train does.

 Sjisjka is a small village with 2-3 houses, and it can not be reached by car, so the train stop is needed here.

 Kiruna station.

 In Kiruna there is a longer stop due to change of the train direction.

 Abisko Östra station.

 Abisko turiststation

 Lapporten (The Lapponian Gate) is seen from Abisko and from Björkliden which is my final destination with this train.

 Abisko viewed from Björkliden

 In Björkliden, one can follow Rallarvägen, the road built by the railway workers around 1902.

 Björkliden has only 20 permanent residents, but thousands of tourists coming here to ski, enjoy the nature and northern lights.

 The reason for building a railway here is this train - Iron Ore train, transporting this product from Kiruna mining to Narvik ice free harbour.

 Iron Ore locomotive is the most powerful in the world.

 Each IORE train is named after stations along the Iron Ore railway.

 Manufactured by Bombardier in 2003.

 Two IORE trains are meeting in Björkliden.

 Some of the staff would like to return back to Kiruna.

SJ Intercity train viewed from Björkliden.

 In Björkliden it is possible to visit Låktajåkka mountain lodge, 1228m above sea.

 Here it is possible to eat, stay the night or just rest.

 9km from Björkliden, and 2 hours by ski.

 Back to Björkliden, visiting Tornehamns Rallarkyrkogård, graveyard for railway builders who died here. The conditions for railway building at 1903 were horrible, many people died from deceases.

Arctic Circle Train

Today I'm taking train up to the north of Sweden, the trip will take many hours, so this will be a night train, also known as Arctic Circle Train.

 Before departure, it is time to visit SJ Lounge at Stockholm Central.

 The view at the main hall from the lounge entrance.

 Here it is, train to the north at platform track 4.

 The train will be split in Boden, where first part continues to Narvik, the second part to Luleå.

 The corridor in my night sleeper cabin coach WL6.

 Inside there are 3 beds

 The train is powered by Rc6 locomotive. Owner is company named SSRT, owned by Swedish Transport Administration - Trafikverket. SJ has been awarded to operate this train service until 2018.

Rc6 is the last of the Rc series, and they were manufactured between years 1985-1988. They operate at top speed of 160km/h, and the Rc6 locomotives are supplied with ERTMS support to operate on Botniabanan railway.

WL6 sleeper coaches were manufactured 1994

 This Sunday afternoon there is a large activity at Stockholm Central, here is an X40 to Ljusdal.

 X55

 Leaving Stockholm Central

 Tomteboda post terminal, now moved to Rosersberg north of Stockholm.

 Mall of Scandinavia

 First stop at Arlanda Central

 Approaching back from Arlandabanan to Ostkustbanan.

 Next stop will be Uppsala

 Waiting for green light and passage of X50 Upptåget.

 Gamla Uppsala

 The train consists of 3 WL6 sleeper, 3 BC4 couchette, and 2 B2 seating coaches (shown here).

 It also consists of one R12 restaurant coach (recently refurbished).

 Here passengers may purchase snacks, drinks and some microwave meals.

 Some typical Swedish specialities are the Kalles caviar with egg.

 Waiting for at train meeting in Skutskär.

 X55 from Sundsvall is passing by.

 Stopping in Gävle.

 An Intercity train from Östersund/Duved is passing by in Gävle.

 In each cabin there is drinking water and soaps.

 Green light in Söderhamn.

 A light dinner meal in the restaurant coach. Local beer is available.

 Hudiksvall

 Announcements in arabic, probably for refugees travelling north.

 Sundsvall

 In Sundsvall there is a longer stop, almost 30 minutes.

 Local train, X62 from Norrtåget

 Happy passengers travelling