Finland - Older General Information

Introduction

This document acts as an archive for Recent and Future Changes prior to 2021.

Recent and Future Changes (Latest First)

The line north from Seinojaki to Oulu is being doubled, with parts in use by 2017. The freight line to the Russian border at Vartius and others to Pietarsaar and Talvivaara have been electrified, and Jyväskylä - Äänekoski was being electrified in 2016.

The 18 km Helsinki Kehärata Ring Line (Vantaankoski - Helsinki-Vantaa Airport - Hiekkaharju) opened on 1 July 2015 (see routes I and P on schematic route plan).

The last train ferry connecting with Sweden, between Turku and Stockholm Värtan, closed on 31 December 2011.

Allegro high-speed trainsets were introduced in December 2010 on the two daytime services between Helsinki and St Petersburg, cutting the journey time from six to 3½ hours.

The Kemijärvi - Kelloselka line closed after the last freight ran on 28 July 2010.

A new 19 km freight-only line from Savio, south of Kerava on the main Helsinki-Tampere line, to the harbour at Vuosaari in eastern Helsinki, started operating in November 2008.

A high speed line from Kerava to Lahti - a short cut from Helsinki towards the east and St Petersburg - opened to passengers on 3 September 2006.

Electrification from Oulu to Rovaniemi was completed in December 2004 and from Iisalmi to Oulu in December 2006.

Extensive work has been carried out on the main line between Helsinki and Tampere, a major new alignment at Lempääla coming into use in 2002.

The branch from Kouvola to Kotka was extended 0.8km to Kotka Satama on 31 May 1998 following experimental summertime services from the early 1990s, taking passengers closer to Maritime Festival events.

The Pönttövuori tunnel, between Jyväskylä and Lievestuore, came into use in 1995 in connection with electrification from Jyväskylä to Pieksämäki.