East Coast Line (Sweden)

The railway line Stockholm- Sundsvall ( also Ostkustbanan, German East Coast Railway ) is an electrified railway in Sweden.

The name Ostkustbanan for the entire route has only existed since 1990, when the Swedish Banverket newly named routes independently of the history. Historically, the route Gävle - Sundsvall- Härnösand is the Ostkustbanan.

1999, a 40 km long high-speed section for the maximum speed of 200 km / h was put into operation between Ljusne and Enånger. The largest part of the route Uppsala - Gävle was double track reinforced in 2005. In 1997, a parallel line was opened with a station under the Stockholm-Arlanda Airport.

History

The route between Stockholm and northern Sweden was built in 1866-1894 in the interior. Background for not making the distance run directly along the coast, were partly military reasons and the fact that the coastal region was opened up to this time by steamships. The coastal cities such as Gävle and Sundsvall were connected by railway sidings to the main line.

The Stockholm- Uppsala was part of the old Norra stambanan. It was soon recognized that the railroad was superior to the steamboat. 1874, the railway Uppsala - Gävle was built with private capital.

The historically Ostkustbanan ( OKB ) named range Gävle - Sundsvall- Härnösand was built in the period 1921-1927 as a private car.

Traffic

Between Stockholm, Sundsvall and Umeå run fast trains from Statens Järnvägar (SJ AB). SJ also operates regional services Linköping- Stockholm- Uppsala and Gävle. In addition, private companies trains between Stockholm and Uppsala ( Pendeltåg ), Uppsala and Gävle Gävle and Sundsvall as well.

Future

In October 2013 Trafikverket suggested to adjust the maintenance of the branch line between Hamrångefjärden and Norrsundet. If the surveyed authorities, there is a route for three years without maintenance continue without being forbidden to drive. After these three years, when there is no longer any need for the route, the route finally shut down.