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. Note that there are significant changes to some routes from 14 August 2017 - see details here. and further changes planned for future years.

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. Not applicable after 14 August 2017

Kauppatori: west to north curve (giving west to north run from Unioninkatu to Pohjoisesplanadi)

Route 1 Mondays to Fridays turning back at Kauppatori approx every 20 minutes 09:52 to 14:51. Also used by the Spårakoff pub tram (see below). Note that there is an anti-clockwise one-way system between Senaatintori and Kauppatori used by Routes 1, 1A and 2, with the two curves running south from Kauppatori used by Routes 1A and 2. Not applicable to Routes 1/1A after 14 August 2017

Kauppiaankatu - Katajanokan terminaali loop

Route 5 operates all day but with significant gaps in service at some hours, and varies by season - see published timetables; principally related to connections with vessel sailings.

Kalevankatu north-east to south-east [Hietalahti]

Route 6 operates as an anti-clockwise loop and this curve is only used until about midday, after which trams continue as route 6T to Länsiterminaali (next entry).

Kalevankatu north-east to west and west to south-east [Hietalahti]

Route 6T to and from Länsiterminaali. These curves are used only after about midday until end of service.

Vallila - Koskelan halliin (Koskela tram depot)

The depot is at the end of a branch about 1.5 km long off the north end of routes 6 and 8. In earlier years, trams coming off service ran advertised to the depot but there is no indication in published timetables for 2017 of any such workings to or from this depot. Reports of any depot workings that do carry passengers over otherwise unserved lines or curves to this depot would be welcomed by the compilers.

Along Sturenkatu, from junction with Mäkelänkatu to junction with Hämeentie

Trams from or to Koskelan depot or Vallila depot would use this section in entering or leaving service for routes 1 and 7. In earlier years, trams coming off service ran advertised to either depot but there is no indication in published timetables for 2017 of any such workings - trams are advertised only to the last stopping place on their normal route. Reports of any depot workings that do carry passengers over this section would be welcomed by the compilers.

Erottaja - Kolmikulma turning circle

This anti-clockwise turning circle via Yrjönkatu and Uudenmaankatu has no regular service, but is often used during engineering works - such as from 3 July until 13 August 2017 by route 7 - to provide a turn-back facility for a route that is partially blocked.

Pasila

The large anti-clockwise terminal loop regularly used by route 9 at Pasila has two connecting curves on its eastern side which have no regular use but are used to provide a similar circular turn-back facility for route 7 when that is blocked by engineering work west of Pasila - such as from 3 July until 13 August 2017.

Spårakoff Pub Tram

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

• North to east curve out of Mikonkatu
• East to south curve at Oopera from Nordenskiödinkatu into Mannerheimintie
• East to south curve at Snallmaninkatu from Liisankatu into Kaisaniemenkatu
• Loop off Kaisaniemenkatu via Vilhonkatu to return to Mikonkatu (completes anti-clockwise circuit here)

In addition, from 14 August 2017 the following curves which it uses will have no other service (after diversion of route 1):

• Northern platform loop at Kauppatori (giving west to north run from Unioninkatu to Pohjoisesplanadi)
• South to north curve near Senaatintori from Katariinankatu to Snellmaninkatu across Aleksanterinkatu

2017 service: SuX, 5 May - 16 September, at 14:00, 15:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00; also 13:00 SO 1 July - 26 August and 21:00 FSO 30 June - 26 August. Departures have been known to leave early if the tram was full.