Bombardier marks Swedish HSR line debut
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefBombardier Transportation Saturday will join Sweden’s Botniabanan AB to inaugurate the nation’s Botnia high speed rail line, the first rail line in the Nordic countries to operate with ERTMS/ETCS Level 2 capability. Bombardier says its INTERFLO 450 rail control system will oversee operations on the nroute, running northeast along the coast of Sweden between Nyland and Gimonäs.
The 190-kilometer (118-mile) line will handle trains running at speeds up to 250 kh/h (155 mph), making the Botnia route the fastest within Sweden, a nation that’s no stranger to HSR development.
Bombardier says its scope for the Botnia line project comprised the trackside products required for 22 stations on the line, along with 143 bridges and 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) of tunnels, including wayside and onboard automatic train protection.
Said Bombardier Transportation Head of Rail Control Solutions Nordic Region Peter Cerdevall, “In light of our unique relationship with the Swedish market, we are particularly proud to have delivered our technology for this landmark line. This milestone for our technology attests to our strong reputation in Sweden and continuing leadership in ERTMS.”
European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) technology, a supplier-independent rail signalling standard, allows trains to cross international borders in Europe safely without having to change personnel or equipment. At the core of ERTMS is the European Train Control System (ETCS).
