In 1990s, Outokumpu supplied stainless steel for the high-speed X2000 trains manufactured by ABB to the Swedish state railway company SJ. The trains have served well for the past two decades, and now SJ is upgrading the trains to extend their service life by another 20 years. The original train frames made of Outokumpu stainless steel, however, continue in use, bringing in major savings and environmental benefits.
Says Carl Jallinder-Björkman, Technical Project Manager at SJ: âThe frame is designed with a high level of bending stiffness which reduces vibration and increases travel comfort. In addition, the stainless steel grade has excellent impact resistance in a collision situation, improving passenger safety.â?
The current upgrade project seeks to extend the lifespan of the trains by decades by replacing some of the technical components including the propulsion and auxiliary systems, upgrading the doors and fully renewing the interior. The original stainless steel frames, however, will stay in service into the 2020s and 2030s, saving both money and natural resources. Over time, investing in quality stainless steel has proven to be the right, cost-efficient choice.