Rail Transport in Finland Safety

Rail Transport in Finland Safety

The signalling system used on the railway network in Finland comprises color-light signals and fixed signs. They are used together with ATP-VR/RHK (EBICAB 900), a train protection system usually referred to as JKV (Finnish: junien kulunvalvonta) which has to be used on rolling stock. The system is set to be upgraded to ERTMS/ETCS in the upcoming years, however later than in other European countries due to the low age of the current train protection system. The first ETCS units are set to be installed in rolling stock during 2013, and the first ERTMS signalled portion of track should be opened between 2019 and 2025.

Rail Transport in Finland Platform Heights

The current standard platform height is 550 mm (21.7 in) in Helsinki/Turku urban areas. Platforms that do not serve commuter trains are built to the older standard of ranging 127 mm (5.0 in) to 265 mm (10.4 in) above top of rail.

The sole exception on the national railway network is the Nikkilä halt which has a platform height of 400 mm (15.8 in).

The majority of the passenger rolling stocks in Finland and the other 1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27⁄32 in) gauge compatible network have bottom steps lower than 550 mm (21.7 in), thus the platforms with 550 mm (21.7 in) height can create negative vertical gaps, unlike the rest of Europe. There are current proposed figures:

• Minimum height clearance of the overhead bridges must be 8.1 m (26 ft 7 in) above platform level to provide tracks raising/lowering to changing platform heights between 127 mm (5.0 in) and 550 mm (21.7 in) without major structural change, and also provide container double-stacking under 25kV AC overhead lines.
• Platform heights of ranging 127 mm (5.0 in) to 265 mm (10.4 in) for long-distance trains.
• Platform height of 550 mm (21.7 in) for commuter trains.
• Platform height of 350 mm (13.8 in) for shared platforms.

Rail Transport in Finland Lines

Most passenger rail services in Finland radiate from Helsinki Central, serving most major cities including Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Kouvola, Kuopio, Jyväskylä and Joensuu among others. Some towns are connected to the rail network by their own branch lines, yet are not served by passenger trains. Examples include Porvoo, Uusikaupunki, Raahe and Rauma.

Railway Links To Adjacent Countries

Rail Transport in Finland Small Break of Gauge

• Russia – small break of gauge 1,524 mm (5 ft)/1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27⁄32 in). This is within the tolerances and through running is done.
• Vainikkala – Buslovskaya — electrified, but different voltage 25 kV AC – 3 kV DC
• Niirala – Vyartsilya — freight line - electrification missing
• Imatrankoski – Svetogorsk — electrification missing
• Vartius – Kostomuksha — electrified on Finnish side only — Russian side may be electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz AC at some date in the future.

Rail Transport in Finland Break of Gauge

• Sweden – Break of gauge – 1,524 mm (5 ft)/1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge, change of voltage 25 kV AC/15 kV AC, however there are no electrified lines that cross the border.
• There are also 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) train ferries to Stockholm and standard gauge track at the ferry terminal at Turku.
• Germany – 1,524 mm (5 ft)/1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge. There are 1,520 mm (4 ft 11+27⁄32 in) train ferries to Sassnitz/Mukran and 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) train ferries to Travemünde.

Rail Transport in Finland Proposed New Routes

• Estonia - Central route: proposed Helsinki to Tallinn Tunnel, which would be part of the Rail Baltica project.
• Eastern route: proposed fixed link from Kotka to Tapa.
• Western route: proposed fixed link from Hanko to Haapsalu.
• Norway - proposed railway line via Skibotn to Tromsø.
• Russia - proposed Railway Lines from Kemijärvi to Kandalaksha, from Imatra to Elisenvaara, from Parikkala to Elisenvaara, from Parikkala to    Sortavala, from Joensuu to Medvezhyegorsk, from Hirvakoski to Kem, and from Kuusamo to Louhi.
• Sweden - proposed railway tunnel or bridge Vaasa-Umeå
• Lithuania (via Sweden) - proposed railway fixed link from Uusikaupunki via Stockholm and Gotland Island to Klaipeda.

Before sanctions towards Russia, the freight railway traffic between Finland and Russia was more intensive, compared to between Sweden and Finland. There was also few daily passenger trains between Russia and Finland.

Metros, Trams and Light Rail

• Helsinki Metro (1522 mm gauge)
• Helsinki tram (1000 mm gauge)
• Jokeri light rail (1000 mm gauge)
• Tampere Light Rail (1435 mm gauge)

Rail Transport in Finland Overview

Rail Transport in Finland National Railway: VR
Rail Transport in Finland Infrastructure Company: Finnish Transport Agency
Rail Transport in Finland Ridership: 14.9 million / year long-distance
77.9 million / year in Helsinki Commuter traffic
Rail Transport in Finland System Length Total: 9,216 km (5,727 mi)
Rail Transport in Finland Electrified: 3,249 km (2,019 mi)
Rail Transport in Finland Track Gauge: 1,524 mm (5 ft)
Rail Transport in Finland Electrification: 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead wiring
Rail Transport in Finland Longest Tunnel: Savio, 13.5 km (8.4 mi)