Good news for night train connections between Germany and Sweden. Following the announcement by Swedish public operator SJ that it will cancel the Stockholm-Hamburg-Berlin night train in August, RDC Deutschland Gruppe has come to the rescue.
The company, a subsidiary of the US Railroad Development Corporation, is SJ’s operating partner for this service. Although the public operator markets the tickets and receives the subsidy until July 2026 to provide the service, the rolling stock and staff are owned by RDC.
From September 2022, this train connects Sweden with Germany daily and offers places in sleeping cars, couchettes and seats. In high season, it can carry up to 390 passengers.
Although under RDC’s direct operation, it could reduce its running days, it will remain an attractive, comfortable and climate-efficient alternative to air transport.
The company is committed to continuity and relies on its expertise to maintain the service independently. For its employees, the decision means long-term security, although the company recognises the economic challenges and competition from other operators.
In addition, the private operator Snälltåget will continue to offer its seasonal route between Berlin, Hamburg, and Stockholm from March 2026. It will also do so without public support, thus guaranteeing up to two daily night trains on the same route in free competition.