Estonia - General Information: Difference between revisions

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==National railway system==
==National railway system==
AS Eesti Raudtee ([http://www.evr.ee EVR]) is the state-owned railway holding company.
AS Eesti Raudtee ([http://www.evr.ee/en/ EVR]) is the state-owned railway holding company.
===National Railway Operator===
===National Railway Operator===
AS Eesti Liinirongid [http://www.elron.ee (Elron)] is the state owned national operator.  
AS Eesti Liinirongid [http://www.elron.ee/en (Elron)] is the state owned national operator.  


The state-owned Elektriraudtee was renamed Elron, which took over the assets and operations of the privately owned Edelaraudtee on 1 January 2014,
The state-owned Elektriraudtee was renamed Elron, which took over the assets and operations of the privately owned Edelaraudtee on 1 January 2014,
Line 20: Line 20:
==Timetable==
==Timetable==
===Journey Planner===
===Journey Planner===
[http://elron.ee/en/ Elron]
* Domestic journeys: [https://elron.ee/en/ Elron]
* International journeys to Russia: [https://www.russianrailways.com/ Russian Railways]


===Downloadable Timetable===
===Downloadable Timetable===
[http://elron.ee/en/home/soiduplaan/ Sõiduplaan]
[https://elron.ee/en/soiduinfo/soiduplaanid Sõiduplaan]


===Printed Timetable===
===Printed Timetable===
Line 33: Line 34:
===Bus Information===
===Bus Information===
[http://www.peatus.ee/#route_search/eng Peatus.ee] provides comprehensive timetable information for both trains and buses.
[http://www.peatus.ee/#route_search/eng Peatus.ee] provides comprehensive timetable information for both trains and buses.
[https://luxexpress.eu/en Lux Express] operates coach routes in the Baltic region.


==Maps==
==Maps==
===Printed Maps===
===Printed Maps===
*[http://www.europeanrailwayatlas.com/index.html European Railway Atlas] by M.G. Ball (2008 onwards)
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-E | European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition)]] by M.G. Ball.
*The [http://www.quailmapcompany.free-online.co.uk/ Quail Map Co.] publishes a Railway Map of Estonia.
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-R-EE-LV-LT-BY-UA-MD | European Railway Atlas (Regional Series - The Baltic States, Belarus and Ukraine)]] by M.G. Ball.
*[[Printed Maps#ES-LT-LV-EE | Mapa Kolejowa Litwy, Łotwy i Estonii]] (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) by W. Kolondra.
*[[Printed Maps#QM-EE |Railway Map of Estonia]] by Quail Map Company.


===Web-based Maps===
===Web-based Maps===
*Thorsten Büker's [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_baltic-states.php Map of the Baltic States]
*Thorsten Büker's [http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps_baltic-states.php Map of the Baltic States] Although these remain on-line, the Büker maps are no longer being maintained. Last update was August 2009.
*An Eesti Raudtee map can be found at [http://www.evr.ee/en/company-railway-maps Railway maps] ''> Stations and distances of Estonian Railways 2014''
*An Eesti Raudtee map can be found at [http://www.evr.ee/en/company-railway-maps Railway maps] ''> Stations and distances of Estonian Railways 2014''


Line 46: Line 51:
There are no known "runabout"-type tickets, but fares are cheap.
There are no known "runabout"-type tickets, but fares are cheap.


A plastic smartcard and e-ticket system is now in use in Tallinn. Information on buying and using smartcards can be found on the [http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/eng/fpage/travelplanning/transportation/public Tallinn Tourism website].
A plastic smartcard and e-ticket system is now in use in Tallinn. Information on buying and using smartcards can be found on the [https://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/eng/fpage/travelplanning/transportation/public Tallinn Tourism website].


==Infrastructure==
==Infrastructure==
===Infrastructure Authority===
===Infrastructure Authority===
[http://www.evr.ee/?id=547 AS EVR Infra] is the infrastructure subsidiary of AS Eesti Raudtee.
[http://www.evr.ee/en AS EVR Infra] is the infrastructure subsidiary of AS Eesti Raudtee.


===Network Statement===
===Network Statement===
No Network Statement as such has been identified, but infrastructure information (only in Estonian) has been identified under [http://www.evr.ee/?id=2005 Raudteeinfrastruktuuri kasutamine].
[http://www.edel.ee/en/documents/network-related-statements/ Edelaraudtee Infrastruktuuri AS - Railway network statements]


===Gauge===
===Gauge===
"Russian" gauge (1520mm)
"Russian" gauge (1520mm). The Tallinn tram system is 1067 mm gauge.


===Electrification===
===Electrification===
3 kV dc
3 kV DC: Suburban routes around Talinn - Aegviidu/Paldiski/Klooga-Rand/Turba (132km).
 
In 2019 the government approved electrification of the network by 2028: east of Tallinn at 25 kV AC but retaining the existing 3 kV DC system west of Tallinn.


===Rule of the road===
===Rule of the road===
Line 65: Line 72:


===Distances===
===Distances===
Useful distance information can be found under [http://www.evr.ee/en/clients-and-partners-traffic-schedule-period-20142015-announcements-railroad-network Announcements of railroad network]; see ''Raudteevõrgustiku teadaande lisa 3 (raudteeinfrastruktuuri tehnilised andmed ja kavandatud raudteetööde kestus)'' and ''Raudteevõrgustiku teadaande lisa 4 (andmed tellitud rongkilomeetrite arvutamiseks)''.
Tables giving distances between stations can be found in Annex 4 of [http://www.edel.ee/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Railway-network-statement-08.12.19-12.12.20.pdf the Network Statement].
 
An Eesti Raudtee map giving distances for each station can be found at [http://www.evr.ee/en/company-railway-maps Railway maps] ''> Stations and distances of Estonian Railways 2014''


==Other Railways==
==Other Railways==
[http://www.gorail.ee/en/ GO Rail] runs overnight trains between Tallinn and Moskva, in partnership with the Russian Railways (RŽD), and daytime trains between Tallinn and St Peterburg. Note that the english language version of the website no longer contains any information.
None. However, [https://www.russianrailways.com Russian Railways] operate a daily Tallinn - St Peterburg - Moskva service.


==Tourist Lines==
==Tourist Lines==
Line 78: Line 83:
None.
None.


==Trams==
== Trams/LRT-Systems ==
Talinn.
Talinn: [https://www.tallinnlt.ee/en/ Tallinna Linnatranspordi AS].
 
A Track plan for the Tallin tram system is available on the [http://www.gleisplanweb.eu/ Gleisplanweb site].


==Recent and future changes==
==Recent and future changes==
Latvian railways (LDz) reinstated three cross-border passenger services from Valka/Lugaži to Valga on 25 April 2008.
The FinEst Link project to build a 92 km under-sea tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn, originally projected to open in December 2024, has been delayed by up to six years after the Helsinki-Uusimaa regional council voted to route the line under the capital rather than direct to Helsinki Airport.
 
Construction started in autumn 2018 on restoration of the 6.5 km Riisipere - Turba section of the former Riisipere - Haapsalu - Rohuküla line. This section reopened on 8 Decmber 2019. A further reopening to Haapsalu and Rohuküla is planned and EUR 2m will be provided in the 2020 budget for planning this project.
 
The 64 km Lelle - Pärnu line closed from 9 December 2018 as the government would no longer subsidise it. The formation might be used in the future by the Rail Baltica standard gauge line from Kaunas through Riga and Pärnu to Tallinn. The agreement on the Development of the line was  ratified by the Estonian Parliament on 19 June 2017.
 
The new Koidula station on the Russian border, serving the lines from both Tartu and Valga, opened to traffic on 23 May 2011. It replaced the former border facilities at Orava on the Tartu line and at Valga on the line from Riga LDZ. Opening of the new connection from the Orava line to Koidula resulted in the closure of part of the former line between Orava and Pechory-Pskovskie RZD. Tartu - Orava passenger services were extended to Koidula with effect from 1 September 2011 and further from Koidula to Piusa from 27 May 2012. In the most recent timetable, valid until 28 September 2017, trains still run between Koidula and Piusa. It had been hoped services between Valga and Piusa would be introduced in 2014 if funding could be obtained but this has not occurred and probably never will.


On 14 January 2009 AS Eesti Raudtee  became a holding company with two wholly-owned subsidiaries  - AS EVR Infra for infrastructure management and AS EVR Cargo  for freight traffic.  
From 27 May 2012 GORail restarted its Tallinn - St. Peterburg service withdrawn in August(?) 2008. The entire GO Rail operation was withdrawn in May 2015 owing to a serious reduction in passenger numbers. The last trains departed from Tallinn to St. Peterburg on 10 May 2015 and to Moskva on 17 May, each returning a day later. However Russian Railways launched a daily Moskva – St Peterburg – Tallinn service on 10 July 2015.


Following the completion of engineering work, passenger services between Tartu and Valga restarted on 1 January 2010.
Following the completion of engineering work, passenger services between Tartu and Valga restarted on 1 January 2010.


The new Koidula station on the Russian border, serving the lines from both Tartu and Valga, opened to traffic on 23 May 2011. It replaced the former border facilities at Orava on the Tartu line and at Valga on the line from Riga LDZ. Opening of the new connection from the Orava line to Koidula resulted in the closure of part of the former line between Orava and Pechory-Pskovskie RZD. Tartu - Orava passenger services were extended to Koidula with effect from 1 September 2011 and further from Koidula to Piusa from 27 May 2012. Services between Valga and Piusa may be introduced in 2014 if funding can be obtained.
On 14 January 2009 AS Eesti Raudtee  became a holding company with two wholly-owned subsidiaries  - AS EVR Infra for infrastructure management and AS EVR Cargo  for freight traffic.  


From 27 May 2012 GORail restarted its Tallinn - St. Peterburg service withdrawn in August(?) 2008. The entire GO Rail operation was threatened with withdrawal in January 2015 owing to a serious reduction in passenger numbers but as at December 2014 no withdrawal is planned. Bookings are open for 2015 but continuation of the service may depend on the extent of any financial support from the Estonian government.
Latvian railways (LDz) reinstated three cross-border passenger services from Valka/Lugaži to Valga on 25 April 2008.


==Special Notes==
==Special Notes==

Revision as of 17:01, 19 January 2021

Country Name

Estonia (Eesti)

National railway system

AS Eesti Raudtee (EVR) is the state-owned railway holding company.

National Railway Operator

AS Eesti Liinirongid (Elron) is the state owned national operator.

The state-owned Elektriraudtee was renamed Elron, which took over the assets and operations of the privately owned Edelaraudtee on 1 January 2014,

Language

Estonian.

Currency

Euro.

UIC code

numeric 26; alpha EST

Timetable

Journey Planner

Downloadable Timetable

Sõiduplaan

Printed Timetable

It is not known if Elron, which has replaced both Edelaraudtee and Elektriraudtee, publishes any printed timetable information. The compilers would be grateful for any information.

Engineering Information

None.

Bus Information

Peatus.ee provides comprehensive timetable information for both trains and buses.

Lux Express operates coach routes in the Baltic region.

Maps

Printed Maps

Web-based Maps

  • Thorsten Büker's Map of the Baltic States Although these remain on-line, the Büker maps are no longer being maintained. Last update was August 2009.
  • An Eesti Raudtee map can be found at Railway maps > Stations and distances of Estonian Railways 2014

Ticketing

There are no known "runabout"-type tickets, but fares are cheap.

A plastic smartcard and e-ticket system is now in use in Tallinn. Information on buying and using smartcards can be found on the Tallinn Tourism website.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

AS EVR Infra is the infrastructure subsidiary of AS Eesti Raudtee.

Network Statement

Edelaraudtee Infrastruktuuri AS - Railway network statements

Gauge

"Russian" gauge (1520mm). The Tallinn tram system is 1067 mm gauge.

Electrification

3 kV DC: Suburban routes around Talinn - Aegviidu/Paldiski/Klooga-Rand/Turba (132km).

In 2019 the government approved electrification of the network by 2028: east of Tallinn at 25 kV AC but retaining the existing 3 kV DC system west of Tallinn.

Rule of the road

Most lines are single track, but on double track sections right hand running applies.

Distances

Tables giving distances between stations can be found in Annex 4 of the Network Statement.

Other Railways

None. However, Russian Railways operate a daily Tallinn - St Peterburg - Moskva service.

Tourist Lines

Naissar Island: former military line (600 mm gauge)

Metro

None.

Trams/LRT-Systems

Talinn: Tallinna Linnatranspordi AS.

A Track plan for the Tallin tram system is available on the Gleisplanweb site.

Recent and future changes

The FinEst Link project to build a 92 km under-sea tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn, originally projected to open in December 2024, has been delayed by up to six years after the Helsinki-Uusimaa regional council voted to route the line under the capital rather than direct to Helsinki Airport.

Construction started in autumn 2018 on restoration of the 6.5 km Riisipere - Turba section of the former Riisipere - Haapsalu - Rohuküla line. This section reopened on 8 Decmber 2019. A further reopening to Haapsalu and Rohuküla is planned and EUR 2m will be provided in the 2020 budget for planning this project.

The 64 km Lelle - Pärnu line closed from 9 December 2018 as the government would no longer subsidise it. The formation might be used in the future by the Rail Baltica standard gauge line from Kaunas through Riga and Pärnu to Tallinn. The agreement on the Development of the line was ratified by the Estonian Parliament on 19 June 2017.

The new Koidula station on the Russian border, serving the lines from both Tartu and Valga, opened to traffic on 23 May 2011. It replaced the former border facilities at Orava on the Tartu line and at Valga on the line from Riga LDZ. Opening of the new connection from the Orava line to Koidula resulted in the closure of part of the former line between Orava and Pechory-Pskovskie RZD. Tartu - Orava passenger services were extended to Koidula with effect from 1 September 2011 and further from Koidula to Piusa from 27 May 2012. In the most recent timetable, valid until 28 September 2017, trains still run between Koidula and Piusa. It had been hoped services between Valga and Piusa would be introduced in 2014 if funding could be obtained but this has not occurred and probably never will.

From 27 May 2012 GORail restarted its Tallinn - St. Peterburg service withdrawn in August(?) 2008. The entire GO Rail operation was withdrawn in May 2015 owing to a serious reduction in passenger numbers. The last trains departed from Tallinn to St. Peterburg on 10 May 2015 and to Moskva on 17 May, each returning a day later. However Russian Railways launched a daily Moskva – St Peterburg – Tallinn service on 10 July 2015.

Following the completion of engineering work, passenger services between Tartu and Valga restarted on 1 January 2010.

On 14 January 2009 AS Eesti Raudtee became a holding company with two wholly-owned subsidiaries - AS EVR Infra for infrastructure management and AS EVR Cargo for freight traffic.

Latvian railways (LDz) reinstated three cross-border passenger services from Valka/Lugaži to Valga on 25 April 2008.

Special Notes

None.

See also