Train Chaos Leaves Passengers Stranded Overnight: 'We Get No Answers'

The train chaos from Wednesday continues into the night towards Thursday. Several trains remain stationary, and in some cases, passengers have been forced to evacuate the train and walk along the tracks.

– I don't think I want to travel by train again, says Lana, 54, who is stuck in Mjölby.

Southeast of Örebro, a train is stranded in the forest after a lightning strike affected the infrastructure. As a result, the train had to be evacuated.

– It's total chaos. There are elderly and sick people with heavy luggage. We've been sitting here for three hours, and there's neither water nor food, a passenger tells Expressen.

– They're forcing us to walk through rough terrain, he continues, saying they don't know where they are or have received any clear information.

SJ's spokesperson Jonas Olsson confirms that a lightning strike has caused the train to stop.

– It seems there was some form of lightning strike nearby affecting the infrastructure that Trafikverket is responsible for, he says.

– We decided to evacuate the train. It was the smoothest solution, given the infrastructure problem. Now they are being evacuated to buses and taxis heading to Hallsberg and then further down to Malmö.

Forced to Walk Along the Tracks

Later, the passenger updates that those on board had to walk along the tracks to a nearby road where buses and taxis will take them further.

– We're standing by a roadside waiting for transport to a place we don't know. There's zero information about where we are, where we're going, or what we're supposed to do.

Jonas Olsson at SJ says that when it comes to information, one should always turn to the onboard staff, as they know what's happening.

– Then, when it comes to compensation, you can always contact our customer service.

Stop in Mjölby

In Mjölby, about 1.5 hours south of Örebro, there are also train problems. Lana, 54, who traveled with Snälltåget, has been stranded for several hours.

– It's unbelievable, after so many hours, we haven't received any information. We've called the office but get no answers, she says.

– They thought it would be resolved, but no train came.

She also says she tried to book a hotel room nearby, but it's fully booked everywhere. She even checked what it would cost to get to Stockholm by Uber – which would have cost 4,000 kronor.

– The train conductor says it might be too much to compensate. We might be able to get 75 percent back for the bus tickets.

– It feels like we'll be standing here half the night. People are tired, and the toilet doesn't work. There's no food, and we're hungry. There are families with children here.

The compensation they've received so far is crispbread and water.

– I'm very sad and very tired. I don't think I want to travel by train again. Right now, I just want to go home, but we get no answers, and there's no accommodation.

Expressen is seeking Snälltåget.

Trying to Get a Train

Earlier in the evening, Expressen wrote about Moa, who was left on a platform in Mjölby. For the passengers stuck there and heading south, efforts are underway to arrange a train to take them further, says Jonas Olsson at SJ. But when that train might be in place, he cannot say.

– The onboard staff will make that decision on-site. That's why it's important to seek information that way, he says.

According to the latest forecast from Trafikverket, trains are expected to run again by 5 AM.