Finland Railways VR

[Dava]

I've always found the Finland Railways (VR) interesting, as a self-contained and well run system. Of course its to 'Russian' gauge with some cross-border freight traffic and through passenger trains from Turku-St Petersburg.

 

Here are some photos  from a visit to Turku, on the West coast, on a  cold grey afternoon last week. VR still runs loco-hauled trains and traditional things like that. I dont know much about the rolling stock. I was last there in 2010 and not much has changed since then.

 

Eastbound passenger train towards Helsinki

 

Other end of the train with mix of single and doubledeck carriages

 

 

Modern ABB loco on westbound train

 

The old steam roundhouse at Turku, taken from the footbridge

 

 

Old long-distance carriage stock stored in the yard

 

Old wooden body carriage used as a works vehicle

 

Shunters stored in the mid-distance

 

Comments welcome

 

Dava

[EddieB]

I'm intrigued to see two of the Tampella upright tractors at the depot.  I would've thought they had disappeared yars ago, but apparently last saw use in 2015.

 

Having once visited Finland in March, I'm surprised by the lack of snow in these views!

[Dava]

The tractors were there in 2010, possibly not moved much since. Temperature was -2 at the time, river frozen but just some mucky snow piles. More snow further north!

 

Dava

[chris p bacon]

Number 1 son and I went to Jyvaskyla in 2009 to watch Rally Finland, the service park was in the centre of town next to the railway station so I managed to get a few shots. I've no idea about Finnish railways but it was an impressive station building.

 

 

 

 

It was an enjoyable time (food was rather expensive) especially listening to Kimi Raikannon explain how he managed to end up in a ditch.

[luckymucklebackit]

To resurrect this thread, I visited Turku on a business trip last week, little has changed since 2017.

 

 

The old Soviet built locos are still in use, this one came in while I was waiting for my train.

 

 

Some interesting tank wagons, I assume these are Russian

 

 

The more common haulage.

 

 

This old Steam Loco was on display at Karis Station, where there is another old roundhouse.

 

Jim

[EddieB]

That's confusing - I had record of Tk3 1170 being plinthed at Karjaa station, but then it seems that it's the same place: Karis is the Swedish name, Karjaa the Finnish name.

 

But anyway, what's Mary Poppins doing on the side of the carriage behind the Sr2?

[luckymucklebackit]

That's confusing - I had record of Tk3 1170 being plinthed at Karjaa station, but then it seems that it's the same place: Karis is the Swedish name, Karjaa the Finnish name.

 

But anyway, what's Mary Poppins doing on the side of the carriage behind the Sr2?

 

"Mary Poppins" is actually a mole with a parasol - a closer view of the cartoon can be seen here http://vaunut.org/kuva/61542 various cartoon characters adorn the coaches.  Apologies for the confusion over the location of the steam loco, I was totally lost with this policy of dual language station signs and announcements!

 

Jim