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VR Snabbtåg Sverige

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VR Snabbtåg Sverige AB
Company typeHigh-speed rail
IndustryRailway operator
PredecessorMTR Express (2013 - 2020) MTRX (2020 - 2024)
FoundedOperating since 21 March 2015
FounderMTR Corporation
SuccessorVR Group
Headquarters
Sweden
Area served
Stockholm
Gothenburg
ParentVR Group, VR Sverige
Websitevrresa.se Edit this at Wikidata

VR Snabbtåg Sverige (Swedish for "VR High-Speed Train Sweden") formerly MTRX, is a Swedish company running open access intercity railway services between Gothenburg and Stockholm. It is a subsidiary of the Finnish state-owned railway company VR Group, connected to its Swedish subsidiary VR Sverige.

History

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Foundation and operations under MTR Corporation (2013–2024)

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The company was founded as MTR Express by the MTR Corporation in July 2013, and was awarded paths to operate services between Gothenburg and Stockholm.[1] MTR Express commenced operations on 21 March 2015, deploying six Stadler Flirt electric multiple units. These trains, capable of reaching speeds of 200 km/h (120 mph), were specifically designed for long-distance travel with comforts including a small café area.[2]

MTR Express Logo (2015 - 2020)

In 2017, the company gained international attention when a public poll led to one of its trains being named "Trainy McTrainface,"[3] referencing the famous "Boaty McBoatface" incident involving the British research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough.[4] Another notable event was the naming of a train "Glenn," a nod to a long-standing joke about the prevalence of the name Glenn in Gothenburg. This was highlighted by the presence of four IFK Göteborg players named Glenn during the 1982 UEFA Cup victory, all of whom attended the train's naming ceremony.[5]

In 2020, MTR Express was rebranded as MTRX.[6]

MTRX distinguished itself in the Swedish market by winning the title of “Sweden's Most Satisfied Customers” in the train company category of the Swedish Quality Index (SKI) for eight consecutive years, from 2016 to 2024.[7]

Transition to VR Group (2024–present)

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In May 2024, VR Group, the Finnish government-owned railway company, finalized its acquisition of MTRX from MTR Nordic.[8] The acquisition included the operator's six Stadler FLIRT trains and approximately 130 staff members.[9] This move was part of VR Group's broader expansion into the Swedish market, where it already operates bus, rail, and tram services following its acquisition of Arriva Sweden and rebranding to VR Sverige in 2022.[10]

VR Group CEO Elisa Markula highlighted the significance of this acquisition, noting that the Swedish market for commercial long-distance rail travel is about twice the size of Finland's, with a much higher modal share of rail transport.[7] MTRX began transitioning to the VR brand in August 2024. The first VR-branded trains, in the company's signature green colour, started operating in the end of August, and the full rebranding is expected to be completed by November 2024.[11]

Rolling stock

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VR Snabbtåg operates six X74 electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, which have been in service since March 2015. These trains, manufactured by the Swiss company Stadler Rail, are designed to handle the climatic conditions found in the Nordic region. Each X74 trainset is composed of five carriages and is powered by a 4,500 kW motor, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 200 km/h.[12]

The X74 is a Nordic-adapted version of the Stadler FLIRT model, similar to those used by the Norwegian operator Vy.[13] While the technical specifications are largely similar, the interior of the X74 has been modified to cater to the long-distance Stockholm-Gothenburg route. The trains feature partial Jakobs bogies, though not all bogies are of this type. X74 trains do not have tilting capabilities, unlike SJ's X2000 trains which operate on the Stockholm-Gothenburg route. A revision of the Swedish standards for maximum curve speeds in 2017 allowed the X74 to take curves only 8% slower than the X2000 trains, and the overall journey time difference is typically only 3-5%.[12]

The interior of the X74 trains is configured with 2+2 seating, designed for long-distance travel. A kiosk is available in the middle carriage, which also includes seating for passengers with disabilities. The train interiors are primarily grey with some green accents, and feature clocks designed by Breitling.[14]

  • VR X74 Train Estelle
    VR X74 Train Estelle
  • X74 train in VR Livery
    X74 train in VR Livery
  • X74 train in VR Livery
    X74 train in VR Livery
  • X74 train in MTRX Livery
    X74 train in MTRX Livery
  • X74 train in MTR Express Livery
    X74 train in MTR Express Livery

References

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  1. ^ MTR Nordic awarded Swedish train paths Railway Gazette International, 4 July 2013
  2. ^ MTRX orders Flirts for Stockholm-Gothenburg open access service Railway Gazette International, 13 November 2013
  3. ^ "Swedish train to be named Trainy McTrainface in tribute to Boaty". Reuters. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  4. ^ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (17 April 2016). "Boaty McBoatface wins poll to name polar research vessel". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  5. ^ Fyra gånger Glenn döpte MTR Expresståg
  6. ^ "MTR Express blir MTRX". VR (in Swedish). Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Nu byter MTRX namn till VR – spår minskat tågresande". Travel News (in Swedish). 26 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  8. ^ VR Group completes MTR acquisition International Railway Journal, 6 June 2024
  9. ^ Hello there, we are VR MTRX
  10. ^ Bovenizer, Noah (7 June 2024). "VR Group expands in Sweden with MTRX acquisition". Railway Technology. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  11. ^ Hello there, we are VR MTRX
  12. ^ a b "Vagnguide - Motorvagn X74". järnväg.net. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  13. ^ MTRX launches open access inter-city service Railway Gazette International, 23 March 2015
  14. ^ "Our high speed trains". VR. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
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