tåg

Tåg is the Swedish word for a train, a connected set of rail vehicles designed to run on rails. A train typically consists of a locomotive or powered multiple unit and a series of passenger cars or freight wagons, coupled together and controlled from a cab. Trains operate on railways, fixed guideways that enable high-capacity, energy-efficient land transport over long distances.

Rolling stock and services vary. Trains are powered by locomotives or electric and diesel multiple units. Passenger trains include intercity, regional, commuter, and high-speed services; freight trains carry goods. In Sweden, examples of passenger trains include regional services, the Stockholm commuter network, and the X2000 high-speed train used on some long-distance routes.

Infrastructure and operation: Rail networks require tracks, stations, and signaling systems. National authorities oversee track maintenance and safety, while operators run scheduled services under contracts or market licenses. Electrification is common on main networks, using overhead catenary. In Sweden and much of Europe, standard gauge is 1,435 mm, and electrification often uses overhead lines with voltages such as 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC; some lines rely on diesel traction or non-electrified sections for freight.

History and impact: Railways were developed in the 19th century and evolved through the 20th century from steam to electric and diesel traction. Trains remain a central mode of transport for people and freight, offering rapid, point-to-point travel and high cargo capacity while reducing road congestion and emissions relative to road vehicles.