Sweden rail closures and speed restrictions have been introduced across parts of the country after high temperatures increased the risk of damage to tracks and overhead power lines. The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) raised its railway preparedness level on Tuesday, 14 July, with services in Småland and Värmland among those affected.
The measures apply mainly to railway sections whose construction makes them more vulnerable to prolonged heat. Depending on local conditions, trains may operate at reduced speeds or be replaced by buses, while some lines may close completely.
Sweden rail closures affect southern routes
Trafikverket said that 12 railway sections in Småland were affected by precautionary measures. The exact restrictions may change as temperatures and track conditions develop.
The routes identified in the agency’s operational update included:
- Jönköping–Vaggeryd
- Värnamo–Landeryd
- Landeryd–Torup
- Nässjö–Vetlanda
- Eksjö–Hultsfred
- Hultsfred–Berga
- Berga–Oskarshamn
- Bjärka Säby–Åtvidaberg–Västervik
- Blomstermåla–Berga
- Kalmar Södra–Blomstermåla
Trafikverket said the list represented conditions at 15:00 on 14 July and could be revised at short notice. The authority did not specify which of the routes would close entirely and which would remain open with lower speed limits.
In Värmland, the railway between Sunne and Torsby was closed because of the risk of heat-related track deformation.
Heat can deform tracks and damage power lines
High temperatures can cause rails to expand and bend sideways, producing what is known in Sweden as a solkurva, or sun kink. The phenomenon can make a railway unsafe and, in severe cases, increase the risk of derailment.
Heat may also damage overhead electrical lines used to power trains. Trafikverket said it was acting before faults occurred to reduce the possibility of passengers becoming stranded on the network.
“There are railway lines where the risk of sun kinks or damage to overhead lines is higher. We do not want to risk our passengers becoming stranded on the network,” said Ola Malmberg, head of the railway unit in Trafikverket’s southern region.
Preventive speed restrictions reduce the forces placed on heated tracks and give drivers more time to react if infrastructure problems are detected. Complete closures may be imposed where the authority considers continued operations unsafe.
Passengers warned of delays and replacement buses
Travellers have been advised to check information provided by their railway operator before departure. Journey times may be extended, while replacement buses could operate on sections where trains are suspended.
“Passengers should follow their railway company and check its apps. There may be longer journey times and, in some places, replacement buses. It is always a good idea to bring extra water,” Malmberg said.
Trafikverket’s national traffic information service continues to provide updates, but detailed information about individual departures remains the responsibility of train operators.
Extreme weather adds pressure to Sweden’s railways
The disruption comes amid a period of high summer temperatures affecting both railways and roads in Sweden. Trafikverket has also warned that asphalt can soften during intense heat, creating slippery or uneven road surfaces.
The railway restrictions illustrate the growing operational pressure that extreme weather places on Swedish transport infrastructure. Older or more exposed sections of the network can require temporary speed reductions and additional inspections during periods of unusually high temperatures.
The duration of the current measures will depend on weather conditions and inspections of the affected railway sections. Further closures or speed restrictions remain possible if temperatures stay high.
