West Coast Line (Sweden)
| West Coast Line | |
|---|---|
Halmstad Station | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | Swedish Transport Administration |
| Locale | Sweden |
| Termini | |
| Service | |
| Operator(s) | Swedish Transport Administration |
| Rolling stock | X31K X61 X55 X2 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 283 kilometres (176 mi) |
| Number of tracks | 2 (Helsingborg Maria is the only single track part remaining) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Electrification | 15 kV, 16⅔ Hz Overhead catenary |
| Operating speed | 200 km/h (125 mph) |
The West Coast Line (Swedish: Västkustbanan) is an electrified railway line between Gothenburg and Lund, which runs along the West Coast of Sweden. Originally completed in 1888 with the opening of the Gothenburg–Hallands Railway, major redevelopment has been ongoing since the 1980s, using mostly new rights of way with softer curves for a future maximum speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). As of 2025 the expansion has not been completed, as a single section in Helsingborg remains single-track.
In northern Helsingborg the track follows a 150 year old right of way, which has tight curves together with a steep climb. Passing trains must not run faster than 30 km/h (20 mph) during inclement weather. Double track construction did take place between 2020 and 2023. Although the track in northern Helsingborg will remain as it is for several more years.
A double track tunnel under the city of Varberg began construction in 2019, its completion in 2025 replaced a single track railway running through the city center.