The service is excellent, especially on the main routes' Stockholm and Gothenburg, for example, are now linked by fast, hourly trains. However, as with other state rail companies in Europe, "rationalisation" of routes means that many minor lines are either being closed or handed over to the control of local authorities, so services may be reduced in many places. Tickets are expensive but there's a comprehensive (and confusing) system of discounts. These change from year to year, so it's always worth doublechecking before you buy a ticket. Currently, fifty percent discounts on oneway fares are available on trains marked on the timetable as rod avgSng (red departure): the discount isn't available every day of the week, and in any case there's a minimum oneway fare of 84kr. Other deals include InterRailNordturist passes, valid for unlimited travel, and fifty percent discounts for Senior Citizens (who hold the European Senior Citizens railcard) and under16s. Also, from midJune to midAugust a supplement of 50kr on top of your secondclass ticket lets you travel first class on most trains. More details are available from any train station in Sweden, or Norwegian State Railways [SJ's agents) in London (2124 Cockspur Street, SW1; «071930 6666). You'll find that nearly all railway staff 'speak good English, which means you've got more than a sporting chance of buying the right ticket every time; conversely, it's difficult to be convincing if you're caught by the conductor m possession of an invalid or wrong ticket. To ensure a seat, you might want to reservation (20kr) on some trains indicated by an "R" or "1С" in the timetable, it's итР"!®" Supplements are also payable on the Х2иш highspeed trains between Stockholm ana Gothenburg and on some CityExpress mm Travelling overnight, a bed in a sixoen couchette costs around 80kr, in a threeoem sleeping car160kr. One booklet worth picking up is the free SJ TSatider timetable from any train station. Punished twice yearly, this is an accurate and comprehensive list of the most useful tram services in the country, except for those of the Inlandsbanan and PSgatSgen (see below). Otherwise, each train route has its own timetable leaflet, available free from the local station. The Inlandsbanan H you're in the country for any length of time at all, then travelling at least a section of the Inlandsbanan (Inland Railway) is a must: a single track route, it runs for over 1300km from central Sweden to arctic Gallivare. That said, despite being part of the SJ network, the Inlandsbanan has been under threat of closure for several years now though at the very least it should still operate as a tourist venture in the summer. In previous years, the line has been accessible on a cheap inclusive ticket (around 720kr for 14 days' unlimited travel). Current details, again, are available from most large train stations, and see the Central and Northern Sweden chapter for a full user's guide.