X2 train

X2 train used by SJ AB of Sweden

X2 is the high speed train system operated by SJ (Swedish Railways). It has a top operating speed of 200–210 km/h, but has reached 276 km/h in a test. Despite reaching these speeds, it is limited to 200 km/h on commercial runs due to of Swedish railway regulations. The reason the X2 was chosen was that the country has very curved railways. Clearly, a tilting train like the X2 had to be developed. A tilting train provided the advantages of high speed and comfort for the passengers, as tilting trains are made for curved railways. The X2 is constructed by ASEA, now known as Asea Brown Boveri. The drive unit for the X2 is designated as a multiple unit although since the drive unit doesn't carry any passengers it should be considered as a locomotive.

Unlike the TGV, Thalys and other European high-speed trains, the X2, due to its tilting mechanism, does not run on specialised high-speed lines—it runs on existing lines like Pendolino used in Italy, Finland Slovenia and the United Kingdom. This limits the speed when compared to trains such

as the TGV, but means that expensive high-speed lines do not have to be built.

The X2 trains usually run the X2000 service level, but has also been used for Linx traffic.