Requirements on locomotives and passenger units

New locomotives and passenger units shall normally be authorised according "The harmonised approach". This mean that the vehicles shall fulfil the requirements according relevant TSIs (European Technical Specifications for Interoperability) and national requirements regarding open points and specific cases in the TSIs.

Transitional rule on using independent reviewers

According to the transition rule to the Railway Technology Act (2022:366), older regulations may be applied to cases and matters initiated before the Act enters into force. This means that if you have an ongoing case before 1 June 2022 for authorisation in the One-Stop Shop or for temporary authorisation or for an independent reviewer at the Swedish Transport Agency, you may continue to use an independent reviewer instead of a Designated Body (DeBo) in the authorisation process for the vehicle in question.

Valid TSIs

New locomotives and passenger units shall normally fulfil the following TSIs for the authorisation:

TSI Control-command and signalling shall be applied for vehicles with the train protection system ETCS. Link to page on On Board CCS

Also upgrading and renewal of authorised vehicles shall fulfil requirements of these TSIs, however only regarding the modified functions.

The Swedish Transport Agency and the European Rail Agency (ERA) have issued a number of technical documents and guide lines to facilitate the application of the TSIs and authorisation of rail vehicles.. Below you find the guidelines regarding locomotives and passenger units.

When application for authorisation of a vehicle (or a series of vehicles) the applicant shall engage one or more notified bodies. These notified bodies shall assess the vehicle and issue a certificate of compliance to the TSI(-s). The applicant is responsible for identify the applicable national requirements for the authorisation. In case of an upgrading or renewal shall the entity managing the change apply article 15 and 16 in regulation (EU) 2018/545.

National requirements, open points and specific cases

TSI-compliant locomotives and passenger units shall fulfil the TSI-requirements and national requirements regarding open points and specific cases in the relevant TSIs. Some new TSIs went into force 1 January 2015, they are applicable on the whole European railway network.

In the TSIs there are some specific cases which are necessary for the interoperability vehicle – infrastructure including the Nordic winter climate conditions. There are also open points in the TSI where there are no requirements given in the TSIs. New, upgraded and renewed vehicles shall be assessed according to national requirements regarding specific cases and open points. The applicant shall engage one or several designated bodies (DeBo) that shall review the national rules.

There are requirements set in the Swedish regulations on rail vehicles (TSFS 2022:36). In the TSI Locomotives and passenger units (EU nr 1302/2014) most of these functions are set. For new, upgraded and renewed vehicles the TSI requirements should apply. Our regulation are only applicable for specific cases and open points.

Guidelines for locomotives and passenger units

The following guidelines states technical solutions for authorisation of a locomotive or a passenger unit (some are only available in Swedish):

In the TSI Locomotives and passenger units there is a specific case for Sweden saying that the vehicles shall be designed for operation in the Nordic winter conditions to get an authorisation without operational restrictions. The applicant should demonstrate the safety and reliability for operation in severe winter conditions. Hence The Swedish Transport Agency require experience operation to issue a "permanent" authorisation without operational restrictions.

To operate a rail vehicle on the Öresund link the vehicle has to be authorised both in Sweden and Denmark.

Extended area of use

Imported vehicles with an authorisation in another EU+-state also need an authorisation in Sweden. This is done by applying of authorisation for extended area of use in the One-Stop Shop.

Requirements for installation of train protection and train radio systems

New railway vehicles with a driving cab shall normally have the train protection system ETCS-STM installed. See requirement on the page "Requirements on onboard Command Control and Signalling.

All vehicles with a drivers cab shall have a GSM-R train radio installed. From 1 Juli 2016 this train radio has to be protected from disturbances from other radio systems.

Rescue card

In order to be used for passenger traffic in Sweden, a so-called rescue card shall be available for multiple units and passenger coaches. The rescue card describes the vehicle so that the the rescue service can carry out their work safely and efficiently in the event of an accident. As of 2024-05-24, rescue cards shall be sent directly to MSB (Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency). A template and instructions for how the rescue cards should be designed can be found on MSB's website. Email address and link to the template can be found in the swedish Transport Administration's Railway Network Description,

Link to swedish Transport Administration's Railway: Network Statement