There are plenty of freight trains rolling during a day on Stambanan through upper Norrland.
It is the name of the railway line that runs from Bräcke up through Ragunda to Sollefteå, and which is sometimes a bit incorrectly considered as part of the North Main Line which actually ends in Ånge.
Stations along the route through the municipalities of Bräcke, Ragunda, Sollefteå and Kramfors.
Photo: SVT Grafik
Passenger traffic has not existed after the route for a long time, and the same is true with the Ådal line from Långsele down to the coast.
But this is something that the four municipalities jointly want to try to change.
- It is about getting passenger traffic between Östersund and Umeå, via Bräcke, Ragunda, Sollefteå and out to the Bothnia Line through Kramfors municipality.
It would not only provide passenger traffic through our area again, it would also be a faster alternative from Östersund to Umeå than going via Sundsvall as today, says Johan Andersson (C), chairman of the steering group and municipal councilor in Sollefteå.
Freight train on Stambanan through upper Norrland at Döda fallet in Ragunda municipality.
Photo: Fredrik Lundmark
No large investments are required
The feasibility study, which will be completely completed in mid-September this year, has looked at the possibility of having three double trips per day.
According to the study, it would actually not require such a large investment to be able to start traffic again.
According to Johan Andersson, this is mainly about upgrading station platforms for around SEK 20 million.
As for the track itself, the worst part of the section, the Ådal line from Västeraspby into Långsele, has already been decided to be upgraded for several hundred million kronor.
- It would be absolutely fantastic to be able to connect the four municipalities and these counties again with a cross-connection that is fast and attractive, says Johan Andersson.
Hear more about the project and what it would mean in the clip above.