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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090023-1

crews. The SJ believes that the use of radios will improve train control, increase safety, and enhance efficiency. If the tests are successful, radiocommunications are to be introduced between Stockholm and Goteborg.

Electric power supplies traction for 95% of the freight traffic and 94% of total train miles, but only 62% of the total route mileage is electrified. In 1968-69 (the SJ fiscal year ends on 30 June) the SJ used over 1.24 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. Sweden's abundant hydroelectric power resources are supplemented by thermal generating plants. Almost all of the rail system operates on 15,000-volt 16 2/3-cycle alternating current which is drawn from the national grid and converted for rail operations at strategically located converter plants, most of which are underground. About 65 miles of line in the Stockholm area are operated on a 1,500-volt direct current system. Crude oil, imported from the Soviet Union, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and Nigeria, is refined domestically. The SJ used 9.8 million gallons of fuel oil in 1968-69.

The supply of locomotives and rolling stock is adequate, and all equipment is maintained in excellent condition.

The average car capacity increased from 24.6 short tons in 1965 to 26 short tons in 1970. The replacement of older locomotives with powerful new electric and diesel-electric units has continued. The SJ has fifteen 9,750-horsepower electric units, among the most powerful in the world, on the Lulea-Narvik line. Most equipment has the standard European hook-link-and-screw couplers and side buffers, rail-car sets have automatic couplers, and the new high-capacity ore-hopper cars used on the Lulea-Narvik line have automatic center-buffer couplers. Most of the freight cars (40,656) and about 25% of the passenger cars are suitable for use in international traffic. Most of the equipment has air brakes. All new equipment is designed to accommodate automatic couplers.

At the beginning of 1970 the SJ equipment inventory included the following:

Two-axle freight cars predominate; however, the trend is increasingly toward high-capacity four-axle cars.

Most rail equipment is produced domestically, but in some cars foreign components are used. Principal domestic suppliers are ASEA (Allmanna Svenska Elektriska Akttebolaget), ASJ (Akttebolaget Svenska Jarnvagsverkstaderna), KVAB (Kalmar Verkstadsaktiebolag) and Nohab. Limited quantities of rail material are purchased abroad, chiefly from the United Kingdom, West Germany, and other Scandinavian countries.

Standards of maintenance and repair are high. Major repair shops and maintenance facilities are located throughout the system: eight for electric traction, nine for diesel-electric traction, and 14 for rolling stock. Construction and maintenance operations are highly mechanized. Equipment is manned by a well-trained and efficient work force. Seasonally frozen ground, frost heaves, avalanches, washouts, snow, and extensive bogs create the greatest problems for construction and maintenance.

The SJ administration and the Swedish Government are concentrating on improving and modernizing the existing network. A hot-box detection system is being extended, and automated safety equipment is being installed at grade crossings. An electronic car tracing system and a centralized freight billing procedure are in operation along with an electronic passenger reservation system. The SJ is experimenting with high-speed passenger service and is improving its roadbed to handle the increased speeds.

Operating procedures are efficient and effective. There are no major operating problems or interruption factors other than heavy snowfall in the north. Exports and imports constitute the principal traffic and are carried in almost equal proportions. The major products hauled are iron ore, wood products, iron and steel, other ores, POL, cement, brick, food, machinery, stone, gravel, lime, coal and coke, and grain. Iron ore carried on the Lulea-Narvik line is the chief source of foreign revenue. SJ traffic statistics in fiscal years 1969 and 1970, in millions, were as follows:

Total SJ receipts during FY71 were equivalent to US$510.2 million, and operating expenditures of $553.7 million produced a deficit of $43.5 million. FY70 operations showed a slight profit.

The Swedish railroads use T-section rails 33 to 66 feet in length and ranging in weight from 55 to 101

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090023-1