Western Main Line
{{Short description|Railway line in Sweden}}
{{For|the English railway|Great Western Main Line}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width =
| name = Western Main Line
| other_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| color =
| logo =
| logo_width =
| logo_alt =
| image = Hallsbergs_tågstation_2.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_alt =
| caption = The railway station in Hallsberg is a junction station on Västra stambanan.
| type =
| system =
| status =
| locale =
| start = Stockholm
| end = Gothenburg
| stations =
| routes =
| daily_ridership =
| ridership2 =
| planopen =
| open = {{Start date|df=y|1862|11|3}}
| yearcommenced =
| yearcompleted =
| close =
| event1label =
| event1 =
| event2label =
| event2 =
| event3label =
| event3 =
| owner = Swedish state
| operator =
| character =
| depot =
| stock =
| linelength_km =
| linelength_mi =
| linelength =
| tracklength_km =
| tracklength_mi =
| tracklength =
| tracks =
| gauge =
| old_gauge =
| load_gauge =
| minradius =
| racksystem =
| routenumber =
| linenumber =
| electrification =
| speed_km/h =
| speed_mph =
| speed = {{convert|200|kph|abbr=on|round=5}}
| signalling =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_ft =
| elevation =
| website =
| map = {{Western Main Line|inline=1}}
| map_state = collapsed
| embedded =
}}
The Western Main Line ({{langx|sv|Västra stambanan}}) is the main state-owned railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg in Sweden. Its construction began in 1856 and it opened for service in 1862.[https://www.trafikverket.se/resa-och-trafik/jarnvag/Sveriges-jarnvagsnat/Vastra-stambanan/ Västra stambanan], Trafikverket. Retrieved 2019-03-02.
Maintained by the Swedish Transport Administration, the Western Main Line is electrified and consists entirely of double track, except the four-track sections between Gothenburg Central Station and Olskroken ({{convert|2|km|adj=on|disp=or|abbr=on}}), in Järna ({{convert|5|km|adj=on|disp=or|abbr=on}}), and south of Stockholm, between Flemingsberg and Stockholm Södra station, about {{convert|14|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The last section between Stockholm Södra station and Stockholm Central Station runs mainly on a two track bridge. Before the Stockholm City Line was opened in 2017, the bridge was a serious bottleneck, as all trains had to use the same tracks.
Operating speed
The maximum speed on the line is {{convert|200|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}. This speed is only attained by the X 2000 tilting high-speed trains and some regional trains. The InterCity trains are limited to {{convert|160|km/h|-1|abbr=on}} due to the rolling stock. A section of the line, between Skövde and Töreboda, is the longest straight section of railway in Sweden, with almost {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} of track without a curve, and used in speed trials. The current Swedish speed record of {{convert|303|km/h|abbr=on}} was achieved here by a X50 "Regina" EMU. The line has always been known for its high speeds. As early as the 1950s, the Rapid engines travelled the route at {{convert|150|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}.
Future plans
There are plans to build a high-speed line between Stockholm and Gothenburg, south of lake Vättern, Götalandsbanan. The route would be operational somewhere around the mid 21st century, and capable of speeds of more than {{convert|300|km/h|abbr=on}}. However, this would only cut the travel time by about 40 minutes (the fastest connection today is a non-stop X 2000 service which covers the {{convert|455|km|abbr=on}} in 2 hours and 52 minutes, at an average speed of {{convert|159|km/h|abbr=on}}), but connect more large cities to the Stockholm–Gothenburg line (Borås, Jönköping, Linköping, Norrköping).
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.jarnvag.net/banguide/goteborg-stockholm Järnväg.net page on Västra stambanan] {{in lang|sv}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Railway lines in Sweden
Category:Railway lines opened in 1856
Category:1856 establishments in Sweden