Finland - Tram services over obscure routes

Introduction

Some tram systems advertise their depot workings and enable one to ascertain the regular use by passenger-carrying services of junctions or sections of line that do not otherwise see public service. This occasional series lists such services that have come to notice. While the data for each system is current at the date stated, it is not the intention to endeavour to keep every entry up to date at every service change - the listing serves as a guide for travellers as to the sort of services they can look out for, enabling them to check current published timetable material at their time of travel.

To assist in tracing services, the route and/or timetable number for each journey is shown in parentheses, e.g. (1). Days of operation are in English notation (respectively: Su, M, T, W, Th, F, S) - plus "O" for only, "X" for excepted. Su (Sundays) usually includes public holidays in mainland Europe - but check locally.

Listings for other systems throughout the world - in the same format as shown below (please include date of timetable validity) - will always be welcomed.

Helsinki: HKL/HST

Advertised journeys in the public timetable dated 19 June 2017

Eiran Sairaala - Telakkakatu loop

Route 1A (note A in timetable) Mondays to Fridays approx every 12 minutes 05:50 to 09:23 and 14:45 to 18:48 from Eiran Sairaala, returning at 05:55 to 09:31 and 14:54 to 18:54 from Eira Telakkakatu.

Kauppatori: west to north curve

Route 1 Mondays to Fridays starting from Kauppatori approx every 20 minutes 09:52 to 14:51. Also used by the Spårakoff pub tram (see below). Also note an anti-clockwise one-way system between Senaatintori and Kauppatori used by trams 1/1A/2.

Kauppiaankatu - Katajanokan terminaali loop

Route 5 for limited periods daily in departures from Kauppiaankatu (ca. 06:40 to 07:40 daily; 10:16 to 12:55 daily; 16:04 to 17:57 SSuO; 20:16 to 22:51 SuX; 18:45 to 19:51 SuO; 22:07 to 22:50 SuO) - related to connections with vessel sailings.

Kalevankatu east to south - Hietalahti

Route 6. Terminus is on an anti-clockwise loop and this curve is only used during the periods 05:50 to 11:50 SSuX, 07:42 to 11:48 SO, and 09:10 to 12:36 SuO. After these times trams continue as route 6T to Länsiterminaali (next entry).

Kalevankatu east to west

Route 6T to Länsiterminaali after times shown in above entry until 23:20 daily

Kalevankatu east to south

Route 6T from Länsiterminaali but only after 12:01 SuX, 12:49 SuO

Vallila - Koskelan halliin (Koskela tram depot)

The following details are from an earlier period - check current timetables for present service.

The depot is at the end of a branch about 1.5 km long off the north end of routes 6 and 8. Trams coming off service to Koskelan halliin show a special yellow destination blind and route letter H, and are shown by note k in timetables for routes 1, 1A, 3B (as from Olympialaituri), 3T (as from Eläintarha), 6 (none then), 7A (as from Pasila station), 7B (as from Senaatinori) and 8. The journeys are mainly at the end of the day's service, but with additional journeys as the peak services wind down. Trams are not advertised in passenger service from the depot.

• From Käpylä Pohjolanaukio via route 1: 09:17 SSuX, 09:52 SSuX, 10:13 SSuX, and about every 15 mins from 17:12 SSuX to 19:00 SSuX
• From Eira Telakkakatu via route 1A: none then
• From Olympialaituri via route 3B: 00:55 SuO, 00:59 SuX, 01:07 SuO, 01:15 SuX, 01:19 SuO, 01:31, 17:12 SO, 17:15 SSuX, 17:44 SuO, 19:32 SSuX, 19:35 SO, 22:17 SX, 22:51 SX, 22:52 SO
• From Eläintarha via route 3T: 01:12 SuO, 01:24 SuX,01:25 SuO, 01:37 SuO, 01:40 MO, 01:41 MSuX, 01:49 SuO, 01:56 MO, 01:57 MSuX, 17:39 SO, 18:50 SSuX, 18:51 SuO, 20:20 SO, 20:57 SSuX, 22:21 SSuX, 22:31 SO, 22:41 SuO, 23:02 SuO, 23:35 SSuX
• From Hietalahti via route 6: none then
• From Pasila station via route 7A: 18:09 SuO, 19:27 SO, 20:24 SSuX, 21:09 SuO, 21:19 SO, 22:15 SSuX, 23:07 SSuX, 23:09 SO, 23:13 SuO, 23:20 SSuX, 23:22 SO, 23:28 SuO, 23:35 SSuX, 23:36 SO, 23:40 SuO
• From Senaatintori via route 7B: 18:03 SSuO, 19:35 SSuX, 20:33 SSuO, 21:59 SSuX, 23:02 SSuX, 23:05 SSuO, 23:15 SSuX, 23:19 SSuO, 23:31 SSuO, 23:33 SSuX
• From Salmisaari via route 8: 18:28 SSuX, 19:41 SSuX, 21:10 SSuX, 21:59 SSuX, 22:35 SSuO, 22:45 SSuX, 22:47 SSuO, 22:55 SSuX, 23:00 SSuO, 23:05 SSuX, 23:13 SSuO, 23:16 SSuX, 23:25 SSuO, 23:26 SSuX

Sturenkatu from junction with Mäkelänkatu to Hämeentie

The following details are from an earlier period - check current timetables for present service.

Certain trams to Koskelan halliin also use this route.

• From Käpylä Pohjolanaukio via route 1: 09:17 SSuX, 09:52 SSuX, 10:13 SSuX, and about every 15 mins from 17:12 SSuX to 19:00 SSuX
• From Eiran Telakkakatu via route 1A: none then
• From Pasila station via route 7A: 18:09 SuO, 19:27 SO, 20:24 SSuX, 21:09 SuO, 21:19 SO, 22:15 SSuX, 23:07 SSuX, 23:09 SO, 23:13 SuO, 23:20 SSuX, 23:22 SO, 23:28 SuO, 23:35 SSuX, 23:36 SO, 23:40 SuO

Trams from Käpylä Pohjolanaukio and Pasila make a left turn from Mäkelänkatu into Sturenkatu. Those from Eiran Telakkakatu (when operated) run along Sturenkatu, crossing over Mäkelänkatu.

Spårakoff Pub Tram

The Spårakoff Pub Tram operates an anti-clockwise circuit from Mikonkatu (close to the main railway station, on its east side) via Linnanmäki, Ooperatalo, Ylioppilastalo and Kauppatori, during the course of which it uses the following lines which have no other passenger service:

• North to east curve out of Mikonkatu
• East to south curve from Nordenskiödinkatu to Mannerheimintie at Oopera
• East to south curve from Liisankatu to Kaisaniemenkatu at Kaisaniemi [Snellmaninkatu]
• Loop off Kaisaniemenkatu via south to west curve into Vilhonkatu to return to Mikonkatu

In 2017 it runs SuX, 5 May - 16 September, departing Mikonkatu at 14:00, 15:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00, with extras at 13:00 SO and 21:00 FSO 30 June - 26 August. Departures have been known to be earlier if the tram was full.