{"id":187288,"date":"2025-03-17T21:16:43","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T11:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=60753"},"modified":"2025-03-17T21:16:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T11:16:43","slug":"weekend-closures-incoming-on-swedens-western-main-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=187288","title":{"rendered":"Weekend closures incoming on Sweden\u2019s Western Main Line"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sweden is working on the key Western Main Line, which connects Stockholm to G\u00f6teborg. The replacement of a power plant and capacity upgrades require closures in the vicinity of G\u00f6teborg. It is now clear that the line in that area will be unavailable for train traffic during many weekends this spring.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The choice for weekend closures was made in order to limit the impact on commuter traffic, says Trafikverket, Sweden\u2019s transport administration. The infrastructure work will take place between G\u00f6teborg and nearby Alings\u00e5s.<\/p>\n

\nSpring 2025 closures<\/strong>
\nWeek 12: March 21-23
\nWeek 13: March 28-30
\nWeek 14: April 4-6
\nWeek 15: April 11-13
\nWeek 19: May 9-11
\nWeek 20: May 16-18
\nWeek 21: May 23-25
\nClosure times: From 22:00 on Friday to Sunday 14:00.<\/p>\n

Autumn 2025 closures<\/strong>
\nWeek 35: August 29-31
\nWeek 36: September 5-7
\nWeek 37: September 12-14
\nWeek 38: September 19-21
\nWeek 42: October 17-19
\nWeek 43: October 24-26
\nWeek 44: October 31-November 2
\nWeek 48: November 28-30
\nWeek 50: December 12-14<\/p>\n

Future closures<\/strong>
\n2026 and early 2027: Similar weekend closures as 2025 (exact times are to be determined).
\nSummer 2026: Total shutdown for eight weeks from weeks 26 to 33.\n<\/div>\n

The primary work to be done on the line is the replacement of an entire electric power plant, which is connected to the rail network. Trafikverket is also rebuilding a station on the line, so that fast trains can overtake slower trains, increasing capacity on the route.<\/p>\n

During the closures, trains will be rerouted on tracks around the Western Main Line to bypass the G\u00f6teborg – Alings\u00e5s section, but they will be able to enter the line again once they pass the closed part.<\/p>\n

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The Western Main Line (non-dotted line) Image: Wikimedia Commons. \u00a9 TS Eriksson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rail freight concerns<\/h2>\n

Swedish rail freight parties expressed concerns about the Western Main Line closures in 2024. At the time, there were no weekend closure plans yet. Rather, Trafikverket introduced plans to allow one freight train per hour and have freight-free hours in the afternoons.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be difficult to be forced to run most of the freight trains during the night,\u201d Stephan Ray from Green Cargo told Swedish media in October. \u201cLoading and unloading of the trains in the port takes place around the clock and requires a continuous flow of trains from and to the port if the logistics are to work and the railway yard does not become clogged.\u201d<\/p>\n