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

System map incorporating changes with effect from 2 September 2024 is on this page if you scroll down but note to access you will require a VPN location in Finland.

Retained as a guide, some of the following were noted in use from 4 March 2019.

Kauppakorkeakoulut via Kamppi to Simonkatu

This connecting line has seen lengthy periods with no service, but is in use by diverted route 2 due to a long term closure of the direct line from Ooppera to Lasipalatsi from 2 October 2023 to at least 2 March 2025 as per the Network Map

Meilahden sairaala loop

The October 2023 Tram map shows this loop in passenger service by route 7 from 2 October 2023

Urheilutalo north to west

In use by diverted routes 4 and 10 from at least 2 September 2024 to 2 March 2025. Noted as in use in March 2019 by routes 1 & 8 on Diversion, but no scheduled use in October 2023.

Urheilutalo north - Hattulantie south west to north east - Paavalinkirkko

As illustrated more clearly on the Urbanrail Helsinki Map, this is a line usually with no regular service but from at least 2 September 2024 to 2 March 2025 is shown in use by diverted route 10. From the track map on the https://www.gleisplanweb.eu/Maps/Helsinki.pdf Gleisplanweb website], as route 10 terminates at Paavalinkirkko, arrivals and departures would also run via the complete loop at Paavalinkirkko.
The entries below show when parts plus curves off it or all has been used by known diversions, plus it is believed trams from or to Koskelan or Vallila depots would use this line 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.

Urheilutalo - along Sturenkatu via Roineentie stop and west to north curve to Hattulantie

Was in use as described by Route 1 temporarily reverting to how it ran prior to the 2017 changes, plus by route 7 diverted away from Sörnäinen.

West to East beyond Roineentie stop at Mäkelänkatu Road junction/Hattulantie and west to north curve to Paavalinkirkko

In 2019, this, as well as all but the Hattulantie curve in the above entry, i.e., the complete no service line was used by routes 6/6T & 8 on diversion.

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

Spårakoff pub tram (see below). Note that there is an anti-clockwise one-way system between Senaatintori and Kauppatori used by Route 2.

Kauppiaankatu - Katajanokan terminaali loop

Route 5 operates all days but with significant gaps in service, [which varies by season] - primarily related to connections with Viking Line sailings.

Kalevankatu north-east to south-east [Hietalahti]

Due to route 6 being extended from stop Hietalahdentori to Eiranranta on 6 April 2021, for an unknown period this complete street loop to reach Kalevankatu had no regular service. However from the October 2023 map route 1T is shown using this street loop but continuing over a short connecting link off the street loop to/from Länsiterminaali 2 so the JP/timetable should be checked in case any 1T's turn short and travel this entry.

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 from 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.

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 was the case during July and August 2017 by route 7) to provide a turn-back facility for a route that is partially blocked.

Pasila

1. The large street loop previously used in both directions on a track rationalisation changed to anti-clockwise only from a few years ago by route 9, but a change from 17 October 2022 meant two curves on its eastern side previously with no regular use could be travelled on route 2
2. With that change, plus from when the south side of the street loop began being used in both directions, Asemapäälikonkatu south to north, Radanrakentajantie east to north and Pasila north to east are no longer in regular use.

SpåraKOFF Pub Tram

The SpåraKOFF Pub Tram (scroll down to Spårakoff and click the box Reitti ja aikataulu on that page) has operated an anti-clockwise circuit starting from the non-passenger Mikonkatu loop (Railway Square - on east side of main railway station; its only pick-up point). The website 2019 map does not indicate direction but if anti-clockwise it will be via Kaarlenkatu, Linnanmäki, Ooperatalo, Ylioppilastalo, Kauppatori and Kansallisarkisto and use the following lines and curves which have no other passenger service in this order:

• The loop and North to East curve out of Mikonkatu
• East to south curve at Oopera from Nordenskiödinkatu into Mannerheimintie
• Inside loop at Kauppatori (giving west to east run from Unioninkatu to Pohjoisesplanadi) (as does vintage tram)
• South to north curve near Senaatintori from Katariinankatu to Snellmaninkatu across Aleksanterinkatu
• East to south curve at Snellmaninkatu from Liisankatu into Kaisaniemenkatu (opposite direction to vintage tram)
• Loop off Kaisaniemenkatu via Vilhonkatu to return to Mikonkatu (completes anti-clockwise circuit here but there is usually a gap between pick up and set down stops)

2019 service: Not every day between 3 May - 14 September, mainly hourly from 14:00 to 20:00 (also earlier and later journeys as advertised in peak summer). Departures have been known to leave early if the tram was full. 2019 fare €12.

Vintage Tram

Oy Stadin Ratikat's vintage trams have been scrapped. These services will therefore no longer run.

The Oy Stadin Ratikat's vintage tram operates a clockwise circuit from Kauppatori (although it is briefly anti-clockwise there) via the route shown on their website during the course of which it uses the following lines and curves which have no other passenger service: 2019 Fare €6

• South to east curve at Snallmaninkatu from Kaisaniemenkatu into Liisankatu (opposite direction to SpåraKOFF Pub Tram)
• East to south curve at Senaatintori from Aleksanterinkatu into Unioninkatu
• Platform loop at Kauppatori (giving west to east run from Unioninkatu to Pohjoisesplanadi) (as does SpåraKOFF Pub Tram)

2019 service: SSuO, 18 May - 1 September (but see their website for additions and exceptions such as Mid-summer weekend), at 10:00 and every 20 to 30 mins until 17:00. During bad weather the service may be cancelled.