Finland - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable period 11 December 2022 to 25 March 2023. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information.
Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. Template:Map Refs ERA-R-NO-SE-FI-DK
Obscure services
Tampere avoiding line: Lempäälä (Tampere Viinikka) – Orivesi (Tampere Järvensivu)
(ERA-E 6C3; ERA-R 10C5) FI23/1
This south to east curve links the Helsinki and Jyväskylä lines. On occasions when overnight trains to and from northern Finland are diverted via Haapamäki because of engineering work on the main line via Parkano, they usually run via the avoiding line and reverse in and out of Tampere station. This is to avoid reversing the formation of the trains, particularly those carrying cars. Use of the avoiding line normally occurs between stops at Tampere and Seinäjoki. However such diversions are now very rare as the newer Edm sleeping cars need a generator van on non-electrified lines and these are stationed in the north of the country for the sleeper services to Kolari.
Lahti – Salpausselkä
(ERA-E 7A3; ERA-R 10C5) FI23/2
A short branch from a triangular junction west of Lahti runs to this simple platform north of the main line from Helsinki, and has been used by trains to special events at Lahti Urheilukeskus (a sports arena). Trains have run direct from Helsinki for major Lahti Ski Games events which take place each winter. In 2017, specials ran on 25 February and 4 March but there is no confirmation of more recent trains. The branch may see several trains each year for significant events, most of which are open to the public. Information about trains to Salpausselkä is best sought from event organisers and train operators, which are usually preservation societies or rail tour companies.
If a train comes directly from Helsinki or Riihimäki it uses the west curve. Conversely, if the train comes from the east or stops at Lahti station it uses the east curve. The branch is not electrified and has no loop, so locomotive hauled trains must either be propelled in one direction or have a second locomotive.
Other freight lines
Occasional specials are operated over other lines - particularly in the summer - by preservation societies. An annual listing is produced by Resiina magazine and the Heritage Railway Association of Finland.
Trams
See Finland - Tram services over obscure routes
Other sparse services
The following lines have few trains (relative to service levels generally in this country) - fewer than four trains each way on at least three days a week - or do not run each weekday
| 1, 8 and 9 | Turku - Turku satama (harbour) |
| 2 | Karjaa - Hanko. Complete bus replacement 7 June 2021 to 26 March 2022. |
| 7 | Rovaniemi - Kemijärvi |
| 7 | Kemi (Laurila) - Tornio - Kolari |
| 9 | Pieksämäki - Joensuu |
| 11 | (Haapamäki -) Keuruu - Jyvaskyla |
| 11 | Haapamäki - Ähtäri (- Seinäjoki) |
| 14 | Joensuu - Nurmes |
| 18 | Ilsalmi - Ylivieska |
Deletions since previous edition
| FI21/3 | Seinäjoki - Kaskinen | No evidence of the excursion for the annual Herring Market in Kaskinen in 2021. The line will be maintained only until 31 December 2022 |
