# Southern Main Line > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Southern_Main_Line > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Southern_Main_Line.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Main_Line > Source revision: 1356592010 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Railway line in Sweden}} {{Infobox rail line | box_width = | name = Southern Main Line | other_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | color = | logo = | logo_width = | logo_alt = | image = Tågavgång från Sävsjö station ändrad.JPG | image_width = 200px | image_alt = | caption = Train departure from [Sävsjö](/source/S%C3%A4vsj%C3%B6) in direction versus [Stockholm](/source/Stockholm) and view over Sävsjö's central parts | type = | system = | status = | locale = | start = [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6) | end = [Katrineholm](/source/Katrineholm) | stations = | routes = | daily_ridership = | ridership2 = | planopen = | open = {{Start date|df=y|1874}} | yearcommenced = | yearcompleted = | close = | event1label = | event1 = | event2label = | event2 = | event3label = | event3 = | owner = [Swedish state](/source/Sweden) | operator = | character = | depot = | stock = | linelength_km = | linelength_mi = | linelength = | tracklength_km = | tracklength_mi = | tracklength = | tracks = | gauge = | old_gauge = | load_gauge = | minradius = | racksystem = | routenumber = | linenumber = | electrification = | speed_km/h = | speed_mph = | speed = {{convert|200|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} | signalling = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | elevation = | website = | map = {{Swedish Southern Main Line|inline=yes}} | map_state = collapsed | embedded = }} The '''Southern Main Line''' ({{langx|sv|Södra stambanan}}) is a {{convert|483|km|adj=on}} long [standard gauge](/source/Standard-gauge_railway) [electrified](/source/railway_electrification_system) [railway](/source/railway) between [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6) and [Katrineholm](/source/Katrineholm) in [Sweden](/source/Sweden). The trains continue further on to [Stockholm Central Station](/source/Stockholm_Central_Station) along the [Western Main Line](/source/Western_Main_Line) and terminate there (at platforms 16–19). The line also connects to other lines, most notably in [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6) to the [Öresund line](/source/%C3%98resund_Line) towards [Copenhagen](/source/Copenhagen), and in [Lund](/source/Lund) to the [West Coast Line](/source/West_Coast_Line_(Sweden)) towards [Gothenburg](/source/Gothenburg). ==History== The first parts of the line opened in 1856 between Malmö and [Lund](/source/Lund), and the last parts in 1874. An unusual route was chosen as the line passed far from many of the bigger towns at the time, such as [Hörby](/source/H%C3%B6rby) and [Kristianstad](/source/Kristianstad). This was an attempt to "colonize" the countryside and populate it. Another strategic choice was to put it far from the coast to minimize vulnerability to military attacks. A number of new towns sprung up or grew as the line brought access to the area, such as Eslöv and Hässleholm. Initially the route Katrineholm–Nässjö was called ''Eastern Main Line'', whereas the original definition of ''Southern Main Line'' was kept and thus reserved for Malmö–Nässjö–Falköping. Not until 1990, the newly founded railway authority [Banverket](/source/Banverket) changed the official definition according to modern use. (Nässjö–Falköping became known as ''[Jönköping Line](/source/J%C3%B6nk%C3%B6ping_Line)''.) ==Present== The line entirely consists of at least double track, with [four tracks](/source/Quadruple_track) on the section Malmö–Lund.{{Cite web |last=Trafikverket |title=Four tracks Malmö-Lund |url=https://bransch.trafikverket.se/en/startpage/projects/Railway-construction-projects/lund-arlov-four-tracks/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260303081648/https://bransch.trafikverket.se/en/startpage/projects/Railway-construction-projects/lund-arlov-four-tracks/ |archive-date=2026-03-03 |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Trafikverket |language=en}} Today higher-speed [X 2000](/source/X_2000) trains travel at {{convert|200|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} for large parts of the way. == Stations == This is a list of stations along the line where the long-distance trains stop: * [Katrineholm](/source/Katrineholm) * [Norrköping](/source/Norrk%C3%B6ping) * [Linköping](/source/Link%C3%B6ping) * [Mjölby](/source/Mj%C3%B6lby) * [Tranås](/source/Tran%C3%A5s) * [Nässjö](/source/N%C3%A4ssj%C3%B6) * [Alvesta](/source/Alvesta) * [Älmhult](/source/%C3%84lmhult) * [Hässleholm](/source/H%C3%A4ssleholm) * [Lund](/source/Lund) * [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6) Here is a list of all the stations along the line: * [Katrineholm](/source/Katrineholm_railway_station) * [Norrköping](/source/Norrk%C3%B6ping_Central_Station) * [Kimstad](/source/Kimstad) * [Linghem](/source/Linghem%2C_Sweden) * [Linköping](/source/Link%C3%B6ping_Central_Station) * [Mantorp](/source/Mantorp) * [Mjölby](/source/Mj%C3%B6lby) * [Tranås](/source/Tran%C3%A5s) * [Aneby](/source/Aneby) * [Nässjö](/source/N%C3%A4ssj%C3%B6_railway_station) * [Bodafors](/source/Bodafors) * [Sävsjö](/source/S%C3%A4vsj%C3%B6) * [Stockaryd](/source/Stockaryd) * [Lammhult](/source/Lammhult) * [Moheda](/source/Moheda) * [Alvesta](/source/Alvesta_Station) * [Vislanda](/source/Vislanda) * [Diö](/source/Di%C3%B6) * [Älmhult](/source/%C3%84lmhult) * [Killeberg](/source/Killeberg) * [Osby](/source/Osby) * [Ballingslöv](/source/Ballingsl%C3%B6v) * [Hässleholm](/source/H%C3%A4ssleholm_railway_station) * [Sösdala](/source/S%C3%B6sdala) * [Tjörnarp](/source/Tj%C3%B6rnarp) * [Höör](/source/H%C3%B6%C3%B6r) * [Stehag](/source/Stehag) * [Eslöv](/source/Esl%C3%B6v) * [Örtofta](/source/%C3%96rtofta) * [Stångby](/source/St%C3%A5ngby) * [Lund](/source/Lund_Central_Station) * Klostergården * [Hjärup](/source/Hj%C3%A4rup) * [Åkarp](/source/%C3%85karp) * [Burlöv](/source/Burl%C3%B6v_Municipality) * [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6_Central_Station) ==Future== A new high speed railway, known as The East Link ({{langx|sv|Ostlänken}}) is currently being built between Järna, south of Södertälje, and Linköping. The 160 kilometer double tracked railway will have a maximum speed of 250 kilometres per hour (155 mph). This will both increase capacity for trains between Malmö and Stockholm, while also reducing the travel time.{{Cite web |last=Trafikverket |title=The East Link, a new doubletrack railway |url=https://bransch.trafikverket.se/en/startpage/projects/Railway-construction-projects/ostlanken-east-link-project/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260217204042/https://bransch.trafikverket.se/en/startpage/projects/Railway-construction-projects/ostlanken-east-link-project/ |archive-date=2026-02-17 |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Trafikverket |language=en}} The [Swedish Transport Administration](/source/Swedish_Transport_Administration) is as of 2026 planning to build two new high speed train tracks between [Lund](/source/Lund) and [Hässleholm](/source/H%C3%A4ssleholm), to increase capacity for passenger and freight traffic. The new tracks will have a maximum speed of 250 kilometres per hour (155 mph). Construction is not set to begin until at least 2034.{{Cite web |last=Trafikverket |title=Hässleholm-Lund, two new tracks |url=https://bransch.trafikverket.se/en/startpage/projects/Railway-construction-projects/hassleholm-lund-two-new-tracks/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260113213408/https://bransch.trafikverket.se/en/startpage/projects/Railway-construction-projects/hassleholm-lund-two-new-tracks/ |archive-date=2026-01-13 |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Trafikverket |language=en}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.trafikverket.se/Privat/Vagar-och-jarnvagar/Sveriges-jarnvagsnat/Sodra-stambanan/ Trafikverket page on the Southern Main Line] {{in lang|sv}} * [http://www.jarnvag.net/index.php/banguide/banor-gotaland/malmo-katrineholm/ Järnväg.net page on Southern Main Line] {{in lang|sv}} Category:Southern Main Line Category:Railway lines opened in 1856 Category:1856 establishments in Sweden Category:Rail transport in Östergötland County Category:Rail transport in Kronoberg County Category:Railway lines in Skåne County --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Southern Main Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Main_Line) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Main_Line?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.