Stranded in Murjek: Alexandra's Unexpected Camping Adventure Due to Train Chaos

Alexandra Olofsson, 29, had been hiking in Sarek and was looking forward to returning home to Stockholm for some rest. However, her plans were disrupted when she and 30 others were stranded in a small village after SJ canceled the train.

"We had to pitch tents on a playground and sleep there," she says.

At 10 PM on Sunday evening, Alexandra was at the train station in the small mountain village of Murjek, waiting for the train. Then she received a text from SJ stating the train was canceled.

"Unfortunately, we cannot provide replacement transport for this route," the message read.

It also mentioned that passengers could choose to cancel or rebook their journey. They could be reimbursed up to 3,000 SEK for alternative travel options, such as a taxi, but this was not feasible.

"The nearest taxi was more than an hour and a half away," Alexandra explains.

Alexandra and the group, about 30 people, were left to fend for themselves.

"There wasn't a soul in sight, and the grocery store opens on Monday. Luckily, we all had backpacks with food for the journey home," she says.

She and the others in the stranded group began calling SJ. The train company told some they could have their return trip upgraded, but others were told to resolve the situation themselves.

Stuck for Ten Hours

A woman who owns a nearby hostel found the group and helped provide shelter. But not everyone could fit.

"Those of us with tents set them up on a playground. We woke up in the morning to someone mowing the lawn, wondering what we were doing there," says Alexandra.

At 8 AM on Sunday morning, a bus arrived, and the group boarded without knowing exactly where it would take them. They had been stuck in Murjek for ten hours. Eventually, they ended up in Boden, where they are now set to take a train home.

Criticism of SJ

The train traffic issue arose from heat-induced track buckling, which risks cracking the rails. In Gällivare, train passengers were stuck for nearly 22 hours before the stoppage was resolved around 1 PM on Sunday.

Many of those stranded in Gällivare received help with hotel rooms and food from SJ—something Alexandra and the rest of her group did not experience.

"You accept it; you can't control the weather. But hearing how well SJ handled it in Gällivare while we barely received any help doesn't feel great," says Alexandra Olofsson.