Steinkjer to Kristiansand train with SJ Nord

SJ Nord is a Norwegian train operating company, a subsidiary of the Swedish national railway company SJ AB. They began operating in Norway on June 8, 2020, and will continue to do so until December 2030. SJ Nord operates seven railway lines across Norway, including long-distance routes like Dovrebanen (Oslo to Trondheim) and Nordlandsbanen (Trondheim to Bodø), as well as regional services such as Rørosbanen and Raumabanen. SJ Nord offers various ticket types, including Standard, Premium, and Premium Pluss, with options for refundable and non-refundable fares. They also provide amenities like onboard cafeterias with locally sourced food, vending machines, and dedicated family carriages on some long-distance routes. For overnight journeys, passengers can choose sleeping compartments. SJ Nord emphasizes sustainable travel and aims to increase train travel over other modes of transport.

Go-Ahead Nordic is a railway operator that began services in Norway in December 2019, as a subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group, an international public transport company. They operate services on the Sørlandsbanen (Sørtoget), Arendalsbanen, and Jærbanen lines, primarily focusing on Southwest Norway, with routes connecting Oslo in the east to Stavanger in the west. Go-Ahead Nordic's contract with the Norwegian Railway Directorate is set to run until December 2027. The company leases its rolling stock, which includes electric multiple units and electric locomotives, from Norske Tog. Go-Ahead Nordic emphasizes customer satisfaction, reliability, and local decision-making, aiming to provide comfortable and sustainable train travel.