Heavy rains causing floods and landslides during the weekend of 8 and 9 September 2025 have severely crippled the Swedish railways and roads infrastructure in the north of the country. The main and secondary railroads are down to derailments, a third is possible undermined by water. This leaves only the unelectrified inland railroad open, but this one has limited capacity. Moreover, tens of roads are closed – some because of flooding, others because of landslides took parts of the roads away.
On the Stambanan (the main railroad) a cargo train loaded with ammunition, lithium batteries and soda drinks derailed at the lake Stugsjön. Roads to the area are scarce, and the type of cargo makes the clean-up challenging.
On the Ådalsbanan a cargo train carrying wood derailed near Prästmon. The Botniabanan – on the coast – is affected by high water levels. The Swedish Traffic Authority (Trafikverket) has no prognoses until when the blockages remain.
Goods traffic by rail – dominated by the state-owned Green Cargo company – is a lifeline to northern Sweden, and the region holds many base industries. | © 2025 Marcel Burger, nordicreporter.com. Featured image: Green Cargo goods transport by rail in Sweden, July 2023 (Press photo: Adam Karlsson/Green Cargo)