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Last updated Mon Nov 24 22:36:56 EET 2003
The ground and first floors in the west wing of Helsinki railway station have been converted into commercial premises. The row of shops called Kauppakuja will all be open by 26 November. The station police also have new space at the end of the building. Access to the shops in Kauppakuja is from inside the building and most of them can also be accessed directly from the platform area or from Eliel Square. One end of Kauppakuja is in the western hall of the railway station and the other in the hall at the northern end of the wing. To restore the central hall in Kauppakuja to its original height, it was necessary to remove the intermediate floor installed in 1946. This was built because of the needs of the Railway Academy that functioned at that time on the top floor. In the original planning and construction stage for the station, the west wing, where Kauppakuja is located, was named the express goods wing. It was completed in time for the inauguration of the station building in 1919. The station is a protected building. The alterations were carried out under the supervision of the Office of Antiquities and National Monuments. The architects Nurmela-Raimoranta-Tasa Oy were responsible for the overall plan for the renovation and alteration of the west wing. The leading contractor was YIT Rakennus Oy. The west wing has a floor area of 7000 square metres, of which 5000 are on the ground and first floors and open to the public. The work cost EUR 12M. Every day some 200,000 pedestrians pass through the station building, half of them rail passengers. It is also estimated that 20,000 passengers use the Eliel Square bus terminal daily.
Source VR, news, 10.11.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
Santa Claus has travelled by steam-hauled train for many years for the opening of Helsinki's Aleksanderinkatu "Christmas street", but this year VR is refusing to allow steam power, because it was intended to use normal express train "blue" stock not wooden-bodied cars. VR has budgeted for the up-keep of the wooden-bodied "Olympia" stock, but they have not been maintained in running order. VR has offered a suburban Sm4 EMU as transport for Santa Claus for the 23.11 opening.
Source Antero Alku, 5.11.2003
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
Remote control signalling of the section Imatra-Lappeentanta will be taken into use on 5.12, and as a result traffic controllers will be withdrawn from intermediate stations, and as a result ticket sales from Joutseno will be withdrawn on 6.12. VR-Cargo staff will continue to handle goods traffic at Joutseno.
Source VR-uutiset, 3.11.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
VR has ordered 20 new-generation sleeping cars from Talgo at a cost of approx. EUR 59M. The cars will be manufactured at the company's Otanmäki factory. The new sleeping cars - double-decker, aluminium-framed coaches like the InterCity coaches previously manufactured by Talgo - will be placed into service between Helsinki and Rovaniemi in 2006. They are designed for a maximum speed of 160 km/h and they can only be used on electrified lines. Each sleeping car will be equipped with 19 air-conditioned cabins with two beds, a PC plug, alarm clock, and a socket for listening to the radio through earphones. The upper-deck cabins will have their own shower and toilet while the cabins on the lower deck will have a wash basin. Some of the lower-deck cabins can be doubled up by an interlinking door to accommodate four people. One cabin in each coach will be designed for disabled passengers. The cars will also have facilities for passengers travelling with pets. The entrance to each car is fitted with a toilet for disabled people and the car also has a normal toilet. VR currently has 110 sleeping cars in service. The oldest series of 36 cars will be phased out of operation between 2006 and 2008. The newer 74 cars will be overhauled in the next few years. VR has also signed a letter of intent with the Finnish government on the purchase of rail services that will ensure continuity of overnight train traffic to and from Lapland. VR provides overnight services to Rovaniemi every day. With the exception of the May break, train services run to Kolari three days a week, and daily during peak periods. In 2002 altogether 400,000 passengers used VR's overnight train services to Lapland.
Source VR, news, 29.10.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
The Ministerial Committee for Economic Policy favours securing night services to Lapland if traffic becomes unprofitable and thus under threat of withdrawal. On this basis The Transport Ministry plans to sign a letter of intent to secure these services from VR. Night traffic on the Helsinki-Kuopio-Kajaani-Oulu and Turku-Joensuu routes is not covered by the decision, but their fate will be decided later, as travel times on these routes will be affected by the new Kerava-Lahti short-cut line.
Source MinTC, 21.10.2003
Source WWW
http://www.mintc.fi/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=lvm/cm/pub/showdoc.p?docid=1735&channeltypeid=&channelid=23&channelitemid=6172&tmplanguageid=1
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
VR's Ilmala depot has become a serious bottleneck for passenger rolling-stock servicing. RHK and VR are now quickly preparing a EUR 100M refurbishment plan to bring the facilities up to date to handle the new generation of local and long-distance trains. The depot was built on a swamp and rubbish dump site and ground movements are still common. Transferring the depot has also been studied but its position is unbeatable. VR owns the buildings and will fund their rebuilding, but the tracks are owned by the Rail Administration Centre (RHK) and will need State funding from parliament, with a view to starting work in 2005.
Source HS 16.10
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
The European Parliament transport affairs select committee is considering bringing-forward the date of opening domestic freight traffic by two years to 2006. Finland's EU Ministry decided its position in today's meeting to the EU maintain its original timetable of 2008, but is ready to be flexible if necessary. Finland still does not accept opening passenger traffic to competition.
Source MinTC, 10.10.2003
Source WWW
http://www.mintc.fi/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=lvm/cm/pub/showdoc.p?docid=1735&channeltypeid=&channelid=23&channelitemid=6119&tmplanguageid=1
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
VR Group's net profit between January and August 2003 totalled EUR 23.2M compared with EUR 17.3M in the same period last year. The eight-month operating profit was EUR 29.2M (19.0M) and net turnover was 758.9M (754.7M). The improvement in performance was mainly attributable to growth in net sales from rail services. The volume of freight increased by 7 % and the number of train journeys by 4 % compared to last year. Altogether 29.6 million tonnes of freight were carried by rail in the January - August period, an increase of 7 % on the same period last year. Growth was strongest in Russian traffic. The number of train journeys rose by almost 4 % on last year and totalled 39,8M. Growth was especially pronounced in commuter traffic in the area administered by the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council (YTV). The number of journeys in long-distance traffic grew 2 % to 7.9 million. Growth was 4 % in commuter traffic in the Helsinki metropolitan area, totalling 31.9 million journeys; within this figure, the number increased by 6 % in the zone administered by the HMAC but decreased by 1 % elsewhere in the area. With conditions still uncertain in Finland's base industries, VR's domestic freight carryings during the final four-month period will not increase measurably on last year and the full-year volume will remain close to last year's figure. Total freight carryings, however, will show an approximate 5 % increase due to eastern traffic. The number of train journeys will increase slightly at the end of the year. Growth will be evident in long-distance and YTV services but commuter traffic elsewhere in the Capital region will not reach last year's level.
Source VR, news, 10.10.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
VR hopes to reach a long-term agreement with the State to buy Lapland sleeper services, to enable procurement of twenty new sleeping-cars now the subject of a tendering competition. At present VR has 110 sleeper cars of which 36 will be withdrawn 2006-8 and the remaining 74 refurbished to allow use for a few more years. Sleeper services carried 400.000 passengers in 2002.
Source VR-uutiset, 30.9.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
VR is threatening to end passenger traffic on some sections including the whole Kouvula-Kotka branch if the State does not increase funds for buying passenger services. Because of reduced spending on track maintenance and improvements VR-Rata will need to make redundant 200 or lay-off over 1000 workers for two months next year.
Source Kymenlaakson Uutiset-lehti, 25.9.2003
Source WWW
http://194.252.88.3/rswebkva.nsf/sivut/uutisaihe?opendocument&pageid=Content77DF0
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
Due to building works for the Kerava urban railway extension some P-departures (Helsinki-Hiekkaharju) are changed to I-departures (Helsinki-Tikkurila), thus driving a shorter route, for the period 29.9.2003-31.5.2004.
Source VR-uutiset, 24.9.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
Helsinki council's public transport committee decided on Thursday (4.9) to reduce departures on tram routes 1 & 2 from 1 January 2004. Route 1 (Käpylä-Kauppatori/Munkkisaari) will not run on Saturdays and weekday departures will be reduced . Route 2 (Katajanokka-Kallio) will run a one-way circular route Kruunuhaka-railway station-Aleksanterinkatu-Kruunuhaka, so the northern section through Hakaniemi will not be run at all. Originally Route 2 was planned to be discontinued completely but the decision is a fresh compromise.
Source HS, 5.9.2003
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
Although traffic on the Lappeenranta-Simola route ended in 1997, only now has the Railway Administration Centre (RHK) begun dismantling the permanent way. Rails and sleepers will be lifted this autumn. Also bridges will be removed for safety reasons and culverts dug open to reduce maintenance work. RHK plans to sell the land along the line of route. Hytti villagers have asked that a cycle route to Lappeenranta would be built, but RHK counters that once the bridges have been removed and culverts opened building a cycle route would, in practice, be impossible. If the matter progresses RHK would expect communes to buy the land.
Source Etälä-Saimaa-lehti, 7.9.2003
Source WWW
http://www.esaimaa.fi
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
Talgo has tied a second agreement worth approx. EUR 1.5M with Helsinki Transport Authority (HKL) to refurbish 20 articulated trams. the work will be performed at Talgo's Otamäki workshops during the next two years. The agreement includes an option for refurbishment of a further 10-20 vehicles during 2005-7. This is a big the first time Talgo has been contracted to undertake repair and refurbishment work, up till now it has concentrated on new building.
Source Talgo-uutiset, 8.9.2003
Source WWW
http://www.talgo.fi/aosa/uutiset/Lehdistotiedote_8_9_2003.pdf
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
Cost and planning evaluations for the extension of the westward urban railway from Leppävaara to Espoon Keskus have been completed and now await response from Espoo and Kauniainen city councils. Two extra tracks for the 10KM extension would cost nearly EUR 100M, consisting of track works 63M, stations 23M, road works 8M and other works 6M. The basic idea would be the same as now in use - two new tracks on the southern side to carry all-stations local trains and long-distance and other local trains using the existing tracks. The additional traffic would bring 40% more passengers (as a result of bus routes converting to serve as feeder traffic? - Ed.). Building would be possible to start in 2007, if agreements are reached.
Source Länsiväylä-lehti, 7.9.2003
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
In its thirteenth summer, 6000 journeys were made on Porvoo's preserved railbus traffic. The favourite option was to combine the trip with the inland water steamer J.L. Runberg in the opposite direction. The preservation society also refurbished the 17KM Kerava-Porvoo branch during this summer.
Source Radio Itä-Uusimaa, 5.9.2003
Source WWW
http://194.252.88.3/rswebpvo.nsf/sivut/uutiset-langaton-2?opendocument&pageid=Content91CEA
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
A drunkards luck was with him in Piikkio when a 40 y.o. from Paimio decided to try what it feels like to have a train drives over him. He laid down long ways between the rails just before an Helsinki-Turku Inter-City train was to pass. the driver braked from an estimated 150-160Km/h but the train drove over the man before it stopped. Police later found the man from a nearby house.
Source Ilta-Sanomat, 4.9.2003
Source WWW
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/uutiset/uutiset_tulostus.asp?id=623195&osasto=Kotimaa
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
Bus traffic umbrella organisation Matkahtuolto has withdrawn from the public transport ticket sales agreement at Seinäjoki's travel centre. Matkahuolto claims it has endured only rising costs without any increase in business. The decision destroys the goal of the Transport Ministry to build a network of "one-stop" travel centres for users of all forms of public transport. Seinäjoki was the first such centre to open, three years ago.
Source YLE, Pohjanmaan uutiset, 28.8.2003
Source WWW
http://194.252.88.3/rswebvsa.nsf/sivut/uutisaihe?opendocument&pageid=Content99A48
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
Helsinki's city council decided to join the other YTV communes and VR in forming a rolling-stock holding company for future acquisitions of rolling-stock for Helsinki metropolitan area services.. VR will own 35% and the communes the remaining 65% - Helsinki 34%, Vantaa 17%, Espoo 12% and Kauniainen 2%.
Source HS-tuoreet, 27.8.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/tuoreet/artikkeli/1061991831184
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
A crash between a bus on Route 14 and tram on Route 3B, on Helsinki's Tehtaankatu affected traffic on Tuesday morning (26.8)
Source HS-tuoreet, 26.8.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/tuoreet/artikkeli/1061299263309
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
A power cut at approx. 20:30 in Helsinki stopped long-distance trains from departing, and stopped all tram and metro (besides the Mellunmäki branch) traffic. Around 200 passengers from one metro had to be evacuated along the tunnel to Hakaniemi station. Some were tense after a twenty minute wait in the blacked-out train. Evacuation was seen as the best alternative although officials were unsure if power would return during the procedure.
Source HS-tuoreet, 23.8.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/tuoreet/artikkeli/1061299238245
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
Rolling-stock manufacturer Talgo Oy has made an agreement worth approx. EUR 8M with Helsinki's Transport Board to refurbish 39 metro EMUs. Refurbishments will take place at Talgo's Otamäki works during 2003-2008. This is its first contract for refurbishment work as until now it has concentrated on new building.
Source Talgo, uutiset, 18.8.2003
Source WWW
http://www.talgo.fi/aosa/uutiset/Lehdistotiedote_18_8_2003.pdf
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
Former Metro-Auto MD Klaus Sunström has been named VR's new Director of Passenger Traffic. He replaces Pekka Söderling who transfers to Tampere to become head of passenger traffic, and to co-ordinate the national travel centre project.
Source VR tiedote 12.8
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/news/uutta/uutta.htm
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
State-owned permanent-way maintenance and builder, VR-Rata produced nearly as much profit for VR-Group as it suffered losses from its basic product - train traffic. The spokesman for VR-Group refused to comment on the success of individual businesses at the time of their publication in March but the annual results were recently recorded at the register of Companies. The Rail Administration Centre (RHK) -ordered work from the State-owned VR-Rata brought a EUR 13M net profit to the State via VR-Group compared to a loss of EUR 11M made by VR on rail services. VR-Rata's competitors see the situation as intolerable. According to State Auditor's office RHK offers work worth over EUR 100M to VR-Rata without any bidding process. With this income VR-Rata is able to subsidise works that are offered under a bidding process, claims electrification contractor Eltel Networks' (formerly IVO Transmission Engineering) MD, Tuomo Rönkö. According to Rönkö it would be more transparent if VR-Rata did not belong to VR-Group, and the maintenance equipment would be owned by RHK, which would then rent it to contractors.
Source kauppalehti, 11.8.2003
Source WWW
http://www.kauppalehti.fi
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
Measures to reduce the journey time for passengers traveling between Helsinki and St. Petersburg are being implemented as quickly as possible. A Finnish delegation led by Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Juhani Korpela was satisfied with the results of a meeting of the joint committee of the Finnish and Russian Transport Ministries which took place yesterday in Moscow.
At the meeting a decision was taken to set up a working group to prepare an interim paper on implementing a high-speed railway project. It will be presented for consideration to the Finnish-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. The next meeting will be held at the end of April.
According to the Finnish Transport Ministry's press office, Russia and Finland have already begun developing the railway infrastructure in their countries. The Russian and Finnish governments have set themselves the target of reducing the journey time between Helsinki and St. Petersburg to 3 hours by 2008. It currently stands at 5 hours and 15 minutes. With this aim in mind it is planned to upgrade the infrastructure and speed up passport and customs formalities. The committee is also looking at the possibility of using only one locomotive instead of the current two, which would reduce the journey time by 35 minutes.
Source Pravda
Source WWW
http://english.pravda.ru/diplomatic/2003/03/07/44165.html
Reported by Alan Rees
<tigerli@worldrailfans.org>
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
Rolling stock manufacturer Talgo-Finland will make redundant 80 employees - 21 white collar workers and 59 workers from its Oulu offices and Kainu workshops, as a result of works council discussions started in June. The concern currently employs 471 people.
Source Talgo, lehdistötiedote, 8.8.2003
Source WWW
http://www.talgo-ranstech.fi/aosa/uutiset/Lehdistotiedote_8_8_2003.pdf
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
Helsinki's tram traffic will run at less frequent intervals without a new published timetable during the on-going heat wave. Drivers have been given permission to take longer breaks between departures as a result of last week's heat induced accident.
Source MTV3 Uutiset, 30.7
Source WWW
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/kotimaa.shtml?2003/07/178908
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
Three and a half cars of an Turku-bound six-car Pendolino train (7410), carrying approx 130 passengers left the rails five kilometres east of Karjaa, at about 14:20 on Friday (25.7). No one was injured in the low-speed accident, which happened when the train drove through a high-speed turn-out which had been turned by hand because of a defect. Buses are replacing trains between Karjaa and Inkoo until at least tomorrow.
Source HS, 25.7
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/tuoreet/artikkeli/1058506371119
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
Police have interviewed the driver of Monday's tram accident. the driver says he lost consciousness before the accident and does not remember if he drove through a stop light. According to his own words he was suffering from heat induced nausea which caused the loss of consciousness, which in turn led to too high a speed on the bend. The tram jump the rails, hit and killed a motorcyclist and ended-up embedded in the wall of Stockmann's department store.
Source YLE Uutiset, 24.7
Source WWW
http://ww2.yle.fi/cgi-mod/search.pl?action=page&id=227519&s=raitiovaunu
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
As a finale to Porvoo steam celebrations a passenger train will run Porvoo-Helsinki at 18:50 (arr. 21:15) on 17.8. Höyryveturimatkat will transfer its rolling stock from Pasila to Porvoo on 26.7 to begin running local trips 26-27.7 and 2-3.8 as well as 16-17.8.
Source Höyryveturimatkat 1009
Source WWW
http://www.hoyryveturimatkat1009.fi
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.52
A motorcyclist was hit and killed at evening rush-hour in Helsinki's city-centre when he was hit and run-over by a tram on Route 2. The tram left the rails and solid into the corner wall of Stockmann's department store, injuring the driver and one passenger. It is thought the tram drove through a stop light at high speed into the curve.
Source YLE Uutiset, 21.7
Source WWW
http://ww2.yle.fi/cgi-mod/search.pl?action=page&id=227322&s=raitiovaunu
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
After a one year break level-crossing accidents are again increasing. So far this year nearly the same number of accidents have happened as the whole of last year - by mid-July 36 accidents had happen resulting in four deaths. Still to be tried in Finland is a self-closing gate which will be fitted to forestry roads.
Source MTV3 Uutiset 16.7
Source WWW
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/kotimaa.shtml?2003/07/177146
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
The Helsinki-St. Petersburg trains - Sibelius and Repin will transfer to the new Ladozhski station from 10 August, which was taken into use in June. The new station is located near the centre , next to the Ladozhskayan metro station. There are also small timetable changes at the St. Petersburg end as a result of the route to the new station being longer. The Helsinki-Moscow Tolstoi train began stopping at the new station in June.
Source VR tiedote, 9.7
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/news/uutta/uutta.htm
Reported by Keith Dawson
Sent from host 62.142.11.51
The composition of VR-Group's management board has been renewed by a extra-ordinary meeting on 3 Juky.Martin Granholm (UPM-Kymmene) was choosen as chairman - he was in the same position from 1995 until March 2003, when Vesa Puuttonen was choosen, many other new members are also former members. VR-Group's regular annual general meeting was on 26 March, when its board was changed almost completely.
Source VR-uutiset, 3.7.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Martinlaakso/Leppävaara urban railway users will soon be able to avoid getting wet at the Helsinki temrinal when platforms 12-19 are extended under the new Holiday Inn hotel are taken into use from 30 June. Only catenary cabling work is still to be done. According to origianl plans the roofs will be extended along the platforms to protect longer trains also, but no decisions on a timetable have been made.
Source Helsingin Sanomat,
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/uutiset/artikkeli/1055863781284
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
A bear that romed the Järvenpää area yesterday, suffered a cruel fate when it was hit by a south-bound express just after mid-night north of Purola halt.
Source MTV3-uutiset, 17.6.2003
Source WWW
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/kotimaa.shtml?2003/06/173656
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Rolling-stock manufacturer Talgo Oy has started consultations with its workforce with a view to reductions to reflect its order books. Office staff at Oulu as well as workers at its Otamäki workshops are effected - 200 of the current 480 workforce are exepected to go. The company is awaiting procurements for Helsinki regional traffic and other domestic traffic but decision making is too slow to retain the workforce at its current level.
Source Talgo Oy tiedote, 17.6.2003
Source WWW
http://www.talgo.fi/aosa/uutiset/Lehdistotiedote17_6_2003.pdf
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Siemens has been awarded the contract to supply a nation-wide GSM-R date/speech netword to replace the current analogue system. The first stage will be supplied this year for the Pieksämäki-Iisalmi line and the whole network should be ready in 2006. The agreement covers approximately 5000Km of track, and includes fitting, support and maintence services for 15 years. GSM-R was developed by EU-funded MORANE (Mobile Radio for Railway Networks in Europe) project. Siemens has delivered similar systems to many other EU countries.
Source RHK-tiedote, 16.6.2003
Source WWW
http://www.rhk.fi/tiedotteet/tiedotteet.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
The Siilinjärvi-Viinijärvi and Joensuu-Pieksämäki lines will be controlled from a new signalling centre in Pieksämäki, now under construction. ATP will be part of the improvement programme. Manning at some stations will be withdrawn as a result of the changes.
Source VR-uutiset, 12.6.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Finland's East Bothnia region will be the centr point of RHK's level-crossing campaign this year due to the high incidence of accidents on lesser-used routes. Around the Seinäjoki area new metal warning portals will be fitted to increase awareness of the crossings. Throughout Finland 30 level-crossing accidents involving 4 deaths have occured so far this year (Jan-May), compared to 42 accidents involving 4 deaths in the whole of 2002. Although Finland's statistics have improved, level-crossing accidents happen four times more often than in other Nordic countries.
Source Ministry of Transport-tiedote, 11.6.2003
Source WWW
http://www.rhk.fi/tiedotteet/tiedotteet.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
For 2003 Finland has applied for EUR 28,7M in aid from the EU's TEN transport network funding. Six projects are covered, including: Oulu-Rovaniemi electrification and resignalling, Vuosaari harbour transport connections, GSM-R rail communications network, and Marja-rata (MainLine-Martinlaakso cord). Finland received approx. EUR 110M in TEN aid between 1995-2002 includinf EUR 8M last year.
Source Ministry of Transport-tiedote, 15.5.2003
Source WWW
http://www.mintc.fi/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=lvm/cm/pub/showdoc.p?docid=1735&channeltypeid=&channelid=23&channelitemid=5404&tmplanguageid=1
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Many station platforms between Kerava and Tampere have been fitted with audio and visual signals to warn their occupants of passing trains. Their necessity has arisen with the raising of the line speed limit to 200Km/h.
Source RHK-tiedote, 2.5.2003
Source WWW
http://www.rhk.fi/tiedotteet/tiedotteet.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
The Rail Administration Centre (RHK) has made an agreement, with JP-Tersato for maintenance of the northern rail and lineside infrastructure, covering 1600Km of track and 8500 hectares of property. The agreement is the first of its kind and lasts for 5 1/2 years with an option for an additional two years. The company is a subsiduary of Jaakko Pöyry Group which is currently working on the Kerava-Lahti short-cut line.
Source RHK-tiedote, 21.5.2003
Source WWW
http://www.rhk.fi/tiedotteet/tiedotteet.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Local and long-distance trains see changes in the summer timetable, from the beginning of June. In local traffic all Helsinki-Karjaa departures except one run as Y-trains, and Friday and Saturday evenings additional departures are at 22:20 from Karjaa and 23:08 return. However E-train departures (Helsinki-Espoo) are reduced late evenings and do not run at all on Sundays. A-trains departures (Helsinki-Leppävaara) are reduced Saturday and Sunday mornings, and some departures Helsinki-Kirkkonummi are changes to L-trains, stopping at all stations. In long-distance traffic, amongst other timetable changes on the Main Line, Pendolino departures Helsinki-Tampere speed-up by ten minutes. An additional IC2 train runs Jyväskylä-Helsinki at 7:07 arriving 10:56. On the Coastal Line P152 (Turku-Helsinki) leaves 15 min. earlier at 20:45, and IC149 (Helsinki-Turku) is replaced by two trains at 21:03 and 22:03.
Source VR Matkaan-lehti, 5/2003
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
Novo Group Oyj is raising its ownership in IT Silicom from 40 to 100 per cent by acquiring 60% of its shares from VR-Group. IT Silicom specialises in computerised logistics solutions - its biggest customer being VR-Group. It has 117 employees based in Helsinki and Tampere, and had turnover of EUR 17,6M last year. The company will continue as a subsidiary of Novo Group. The deal is subject to Competition Agency approval.
Source VR tiedote, 5.5.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
A new signalling centre comes into operation at the end of August. The transfer from Oulu station's old restaurant was supposed to happen in June, but the system is being renewed at the same time and operators need to be re-trained to work from the new terminals. The whole of Northern-Finland's railway signalling and electricity supply control will transfer to the Oulu centre in coming years.
Source YLE-Uutiset, 5.5.2003
Source WWW
http://ww2.yle.fi/pls/show/search_common.archivePage?p_id=222471&p_ver=1
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
Refurbishment work to the Tampere-Jyväskylä line must be brought forward by two years - to 2004, according to demands by the Central Finland Association. The Association reminds RHK in a recent statement that the route is vital to the livelihood of the region. Benefits of the Pendolino services cannot be seen due to the nature of the track and its alignment, which this winter's frost damage and consequent delays from temporary speed restrictions, has especially highlighted. Also refurbishment of the Jyväskylä-Pieksämäki line is also hoped to be brought to fruition earlier.
Source Keskisuomalainen-lehti,
Source WWW
http://www.keskisuomalainen.net
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
VR is running a number of additional evening trains Pasila(Helsinki)-Tampere during 26.4-11.5, as part of the increased traffic for the Ice Hockey World Championships. As they are not part of the seat reservation system the trains are priced as local trains although buffet services are included.
Source VR Uutiset, 24.4.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/news/uutta/uutta.htm
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
Track work for the extension of the Tikkurila urban railway to Kerava start in May. Most of the work will be done during daytime hours. The first section (Korso-Kerava) will brougt into use on 21.7 and all work should be finished by the end of October. The new line will come into full use from August 2004 and all station works should be ready by the end of 2004.
Source RHK, 22.4.2003
Source WWW
http://www.rhk.fi/tiedotteet/tiedotteet.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
Due to RHK's requirements for a unit for testing, VR is having to replace some Pendolino departures (mainly on the Coastal Route) between 3-11 May. Test runs will be made Kerava-Tampere, before the start of 200Km/h running on the line with the introduction of the new timetable from the beginning of June.
Source VR Uutiset, 22.4.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/news/uutta/uutta.htm
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
At a meeting on 16.4 between local chambers of commerce and VR, the Hanko line was listed as the top priority on a list of VR's desired electrification projects. Work could start in 2006 if budget funds continue at their present levels. The 150Km route would cost EUR 30M to electrify. When complete it would allow direct connections from Hanko and Tammisaari to Helsinki without change of train which could help development of these communities.
Source YLE-Läntinenuutiset, 16.4.2003
Source WWW
http://194.252.88.3/rsweblja.nsf/sivut/uutisaihe_uusi?opendocument&pageid=ContentEDA75
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
The harsh winter has caused much damage to the permanent way, leading to many temporary speed restrictions. Tampere-Orivesi, Riihimäki-Kouvula, Karjaa-Turkuu and Ylivieska-Oulu are especially badly affected, with more damage becoming apparent as spring progresses. An additional 5-15 minutes in journey times can be expected. Similarly bad conditions were last experienced in 1987.
Source YLE Uutiset, 1.4.2003
Source WWW
http://ww2.yle.fi/pls/show/search_common.archivePage?p_id=220523&p_ver=2
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa together with VR plan to found a procurement company to own and lease rolling-stock to operators contracted by the metropolitan-wide transport authority, YTV. By 2010 about 100 new local trains with a value of approx. EUR 500M will be required. In preliminary proposals each city would own a third of the new entity.
Source YLE News, 25.3.2003
Source WWW
http://194.252.88.3/rsweb2.nsf/sivut/uutisaihe?opendocument&pageid=Content954E5
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
A new law to put Finland's rules into line with the EU's so-called first railway directive comes into effect on 15 March. Its goal is to improve the operational pre-conditions of rail traffic and its competitive position, for example by defining rights to operating in the market and sharing track capacity. In the first round Intra-EU international freight traffic will be opened-up. In order to increase competition the EU hopes many operators can function across national borders. Because the law affects rail traffic competition in only a limited way its economical affects in Finland are expected to be small. Domestic traffic continues in VR's hands and Finnish-Russian traffic is not affected by the new law. In EU countries rail traffic's market share has been in steady decline in the last decade and the EU aspires to make rail traffic more attractive, however in Finland rail still has an above-average 25% of freight tonnage.
Source LVM tiedote 13.3
Source WWW
http://www.mintc.fi/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=lvm/cm/pub/showdoc.p?docid=1735&channeltypeid=&channelid=23&channelitemid=5284&tmplanguageid=1
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
VR has ordered 15 car-carriers from Talgo's Finnish subsidiary. The vans are of a new type designed for 160Km/h, are valued at EUR 6.4M and timed for delivery in 2004/5. They partly replace some older vans and also bring new capacity - in high-season some cars have been carried in open goods wagons. The agreement includes an option for 15 further vans. In 2002 VR carried nearly 34,000 passengers' vehicles. In addition Sweden's Scandinavian Motortransport has ordered from Talgo 20 additional car-carriers of an earlier design of which 25 it already has in traffic. Its contract includes an option for a further ten vans. Deliveries are planned for 2003/2004.
Source Talgo News, 14.3.2003
Source WWW
http://www.talgo.fi/aosa/uutiset/Lehdistotiedote14.03.pdf
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
VR Group's net profit in 2002 totalled EUR 21.7M compared with EUR 42.0M for 2002. The operating profit was EUR 26.8M (49.0M). Net turnover amounted to EUR 1,139.9M (1,150.9M). The result was depressed by increased depreciation and higher pension costs. The reduction in net turnover was due to the divestment from Avarra-Asunnot Oy, the subsidiary responsible for VR's state-financed housing units. The volume of freight carried by VR Cargo remained at the previous year's level, 41.7M tonnes. This comprised domestic carryings of 24.7M tonnes and international carryings of 17.0M tonnes. Domestic traffic increased by 3 % whereas international traffic, i.e. rail carryings crossing the Finnish border, declined by 4 %. VR Cargo's net turnover for the year was EUR 332.2M (337.7M). In passenger services 57.7M journeys were made during 2002, an increase of 5 %. Most of this growth came from commuter traffic within the Capital's metropolitan area administered by YTV, where the volume of commuter traffic rose by almost 10 %. The volume of train services increased from 704 to 850 weekday departures when traffic on the Leppävaara city line reached full strength in the summer. Long-distance traffic increased by one per cent to 11.6M journeys. New Pendolino services to Oulu and Kuopio raised the number of passengers on these lines. A total of 266,000 passenger journeys were made between Finland and Russia, an increase of 11 %. Net turnover from passenger services totalled EUR 288.7M (282.2M). Pohjolan Liikenne carried a total of 8.2 M tonnes of freight in 2002, which was roughly the same as in the previous year, buses and coaches carried 14.7 M passengers, down 4 % on the previous year. Net turnover of the Pohjolan Liikenne companies was EUR 196.7M (196.4M). VR ordered eight new Pendolino trains in 2002 for delivery between 2004 and 2006, after which VR will have a total of 18 Pendolino trains. A further 20 city trains were ordered last year as well, following a series of ten trains already in service. The new city trains will be introduced into service during 2004 and 2005.Deliveries of Sr2 locomotives continued during the year. VR took delivery of nine new locomotives, bringing the total at the end of the year to 38 out of a total 46 such locomotives ordered. Deliveries of double-decker InterCity coaches were completed last year. The last ten of a series of 92 coaches were delivered during the year. The Group's capital expenditure totalled EUR 143.9 (177.7) M. The industrial confidence barometer published in February indicates that no industrial recovery, and therefore no increase in freight volumes, can be expected at least during the first half of the year. Passenger volumes are not directly affected by business cycles and annual changes are very small, therefore VR's 2003 results are likely to remain at last year's level.
Source VR-News, 13.3.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Train connections Seinäjoki-Oulu may start to slow in the near future as RHK predicts the condition of the permanent-way is deteriorating rapidly. Some local speed restrictions are already in place and these will increase in the Spring. Regional representatives have given their views for quick action to the Ministry of Transport on Tuesday (11.3). According to ministerial plans trains need to reduce their speed from 140Km/h to 100Km/h, which the regional representative will affect the amount of passengers as well as goods traffic using rail
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 12.3.2003
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
On 6.3 high-ranking officials met in Moscow. By 2008 the goal is to reduce the time to 3 hours from the current 5 hour and 15 minutes an to achieve this decisions on permanent-way improvements must be made this year for this goal to be met. Before 2008 it is hoped border and customs formalities could take place on the train journey, and also that locomotives capable of running on the whole route could be introduced to avoid the necessity of locomotive changes - altogether saving approx. 35 minutes. From 2008 new trains would be needed and a working-group will be formed to report on possible options.
Source MTC-tiedote, 6.3.2003
Source WWW
http://www.mintc.fi/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=lvm/cm/pub/showdoc.p?docid=1735&channeltypeid=&channelid=23&channelitemid=5271&tmplanguageid=
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
In its report presented on 6.3, a Transport Ministry-sponsored international working group assessed Finland's public transport services as efficient and of high quality - despite long-distances and sparse inhabitation. Public funding is lower and ticket receipts form a higher proportion of running costs than in may other countries. The group from Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and the UK, suggest the ministry should take a bigger role in directing public transport strategies and also it should clarify its goals and how they are measured. The ministry will consider the report but has not committed itself to any specific changes from the recommendations.
Source MTC-tiedote, 6.3.2003
Source WWW
http://www.mintc.fi/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=lvm/cm/pub/showdoc.p?docid=1735&channeltypeid=&channelid=23&channelitemid=5268&tmplanguageid=
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Public transport's market share in Finland is approx. 12%, when the EU-wide average is 15,6%. At the same time as the EU's goal is to raise that to 16,2% Finland plans to satisfy itself with maintaining its current level. In the face of other threats VR and the Bus (Operators) Association have found one another and both hope to raise the overall use of public transport and representatives find it strange the Transport Ministry can be satisfied with 12% when the EU is raising its goals, although admitting even that 12% has not been maintained. Private car usage grows on average 1,7%p.a. and last year by 3%. If government officials do not wake up to this fact, by 2010 public transport's market share will be down to 10% - the lowest in Europe.
Source HelsiginSanomat, 5.3.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/arkisto/juttu.asp?id=20030305KO3
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Transport Minister Kimmo Sasi says the Kerava-Lahti shortcut line will fundamentally ease congestion on the Main Line, therefore new tracks between Kerava and Riihilahti he will not promise. The Rail Administration Centre (RHK) has investigated building passing-loops, whose position and necessity depends on (VR's - Ed.) timetable structure, but according to Sasi their funding and timetable are still open. Such development investments cannot be funded from the budgets for repairs and replacements but must be put into order of priority, he adds. He also admits speed limits are increasingly appearing because of the insufficient funds for permanent-way replacements, but insists funding for railways is under discussion continuously to ensure its status.
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 5.3.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/arkisto/juttu.asp?id=20030305KO6
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
From 4.3 VR will begin selling tickets for its long-distance trains via its Internet site. To encourage consumers to use the new service VR is offering a 3% discount on all tickets bought via the Internet until 31 July 2003. The new service will allow travellers to buy tickets for all the main InterCity, Pendolino, Express and Regional train departures. During this first stage of the launch it will not yet be possible to buy tickets for sleeping cars, season tickets or tickets for commuter trains in the Helsinki metropolitan area but VR intends to broaden the scope of online ticket sales in future. The new online ticket service also covers discount tickets for juniors, students, national servicemen, senior citizens and pensioners under 65 years of age, as well as family tickets and tickets for groups of 3-8 people. Customers selecting and paying for their tickets on the Internet can collect the tickets at automatic station ticket dispensers - the recommended alternative, or at the station's ticket office. For EUR2, travellers can also have their tickets sent by post to their home address in Finland, if travel is over a week ahead. Ticket collection at stations has been made as effortless as possible - the queuing system at the largest stations has been changed to favour customers ordering via the Internet or by phone. The aim of the new online ticket service is to make ticket sales easier. Customers can compare various alternatives online at their leisure and buy at the same time. The online service is available every day between 6.00 and 23.30. Tickets can be bought online up to 8 weeks before the date of departure but no later than 2 hours before the train leaves.
Source VR-News, 3.3.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Last year 98% of local traffic in the Helsinki region arrived within 3 minutes of the timetabled arrival. The figure has stayed roughly constant for the last three years.
Source Länsi Väylä-lehti, 2.2.2003
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
From 1.6.2003 passenger traffic will cease at Koivu (near Rovaniemi) and Äetsä (near Tampere). Äetsä was re-opened to traffic only last June, however Nokia which is also on the Tampere-Pori line will again re-open on 1.6.2003 and will also gain IC services. Museum train services on the line Kerava-Porvoo will have a new stopping place at Haksi this summer.
Source Resina-lehti, 1/2003
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
VR-Group answered negatively the Transport Ministry's idea of taking higher dividends to fund up to EUR 500M of new permanent way investments within the next ten years. According to VR's Board the practice would drive VR into administration as it is already committed to over EUR 300M of rolling stock investments by 2006. It also rejected the Ministry's idea of separating VR-Rata from the holding company - for safety reasons it believes the running of trains and maintenance of the network should remain within the same concern.
Source YLE Uutiset 14.2
Source WWW
http://ww2.yle.fi/pls/show/search_common.archivePage?p_id=217377&p_ver=2
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
VR-Rata decided on Friday (14.2) to suspend plans to lay-off approx. 1000 of its 2500 workers. However the planned 40 redundancies will still go ahead. By revising VR-Group's dividend to the State more funds can be used for permanent way maintenance works, especially track renewals.
Source YLE Uutiset 14.2
Source WWW
http://ww2.yle.fi/pls/show/search_common.archivePage?p_id=217377&p_ver=2
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
In recent EU-wide research on basic services, Finns were better satisfied than many other nationals. The most positive repines received was for postal services with 82% satisfied but rail services received the lowest satisfaction marks - 58%. However these results were in-line with results from other EU countries.
Source MTV3, 29.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/arkisto.shtml?2003/01/151973
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
VR will soon decide how many sleeping-car services will run in future. The current fleet of over 100 sleeping-cars are nearing the end of their working lives and the majority will be withdrawn by the end of the decade. Tourist traffic to Lapland is growing therefore demand is expected to exist well into the future. If a decision on services is reached this summer VR will ask for offers this year.
Source Ilta Sanomat, 28.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/uutiset/sahkeet.asp?id=492733
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Rail volumes showed some growth last year. The number of passenger journeys undertaken by rail in Finland increased approx. 5 %. On the cargo side, domestic carryings rose 3 % but the total volume of freight carried by VR remained at the previous year's level. In passenger services, the number of local journeys increased by 10 % in the metropolitan area administered by YTV (following the commencement of the Leppävaara urban railway and hence reduction of direct bus services - Ed.), but outside this area the number of local journeys fell by 6 %. Long-distance journeys rose by almost one per cent on the previous year. The total number of rail journeys in long-distance and local services was 57.7M compared to 55.0M one year earlier.
In freight services, domestic carryings rose 3 % whereas international carryings were down 4 %. VR Cargo's total freight volume last year was 41.7M tonnes. This comprised domestic carryings of 24.7M tonnes and international carryings amounting to 17.0M tonnes. On the international side, the volume of traffic between Finland and Russia was virtually unchanged but transit traffic fell by 14 %. International traffic refers to rail cargo that crosses the Finnish border. Most of this consists of traffic between Finland and Russia or transit traffic via Finland to third countries.
Source VR Uutiset, 20.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
An ineffective locking mechanism was not noticed due to poor alignment of the door which was sucked off from a Pendolino when travelling into a tunnel while working a Helsinki-Turku service last week. During emergency checks on the rest of the Pendolino fleet one other door needed to be adjusted to ensure proper locking. The temporary speed restriction has also been lifted.
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 14.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/arkisto/juttu.asp?id=20030114KO9
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
A consultancy firm's report suggests a network of Light Rapid Transit (LRT) lines would increase public transport usage, and help development of the city and its neighbouring municipalities. Germany's Karlsruhe was used as a positive example in the report. One line would run Hervanta-Lentäväniemi/Ylöjärvi and second Nokia-Kangasala/Vuores. Two-thirds of the 60Km of routes would be built on up-graded lines and one-third on completely new lines. The network would cost around EUR 260M for tracks and EUR 77M for trains. The first stage could be ready by 2006 and finished by 2010 if works are approved this year.
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 14.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/arkisto/juttu.asp?id=20030114KO11
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
VR's planning, building and maintenance subsidiary VR-Rata plans to make 40 workers redundant and expects to lay-off others up to 1000man/years, in the Spring and year-end, out of a current workforce of about 2500. The State has made noticeable reductions in budgets for maintenance and improvement works in recent years, reducing the workload for VR-Rata which receives most of the work contracted out by the Rail Administration Centre (RHK). This year only EUR 113M is budgeted for this work, whereas RHK itself estimates around EUR 170M needs to be spent to maintain the network.
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 14.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/arkisto/juttu.asp?id=20030114TA5
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Train ticket prices rise by an average of 2,5% from 1.2.2003. Lang-distance services and the capital regions local traffic rise by less than 2% but Pendolino services rise by approximately 6%. (The last price rise was from April last year. Ed.)
Source VR uutiset, 13.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
A carriage door of the S141 Helsinki-Turku Pendolino service fell-off when entering a tunnel near Salo at around 18:30 on Thursday (9.1), most likely from the effects of the air-pressure change. No one was in the vestibule at the time and the train came to a halt without injuries. The line-speed in the tunnel is 200Km/h. The train continued to Turku at 50Km/h with the conductor guarding the opening, arriving at Turku 30 minutes late. Other Pendolinos were checked on arrival at their destinations and a more thorough inspection is expected to commence later. In the meantime they are limited to 120Km/h in tunnels.
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 11.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/arkisto/juttu.asp?id=20030111KO5
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
From 12.1.2003 Savo and Karjala traffic will be speeded-up slightly, but mainly keep their arrival and departure times in Helsinki. There are changes of a few minutes in the departure times of some other services in the region. Helsinki-Kouvola timings remain the same. There are two small changes to local traffic in the Helsinki region. Also ticket-offices at Karjaa and Hanko have more restricted opening hours.
Source VR-Uutiset, 8.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.vr.fi/yhtyma/uutis.html
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Two of the ten new Sm4 EMUs undertook cold weather testing at the weekend as the weather has been at its coldest since their introduction in 1999. One fault in a PCB card was found to be caused be cold air being directed into the cab.
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 8.1.2003
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
The freezing weather continues to affect rail traffic over the Epiphany holidays. Long-distance trains have be delayed with faults in air brakes and door-locking mechanisms the most common. As an example the 15:04 Helsinki-Vaasa express left 2 hours 19 minutes behind schedule. Many expresses are arriving at their destinations 1-2 hours behind schedule.
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 6.1.2003
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/tuoreet/juttu.asp?id=20030106OL31
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.11
Parliament approved EUR 9M funds for connections - including a mainly tunneled line to the main line at Kerava, to the planned Vuosaari harbour in Helsinki, with voting ending 116-67 in favour after a night-long session. Opponents blamed the Government of buying support from regional MPs by including various road projects for the rest of the country in the same package. Especially MPs from other harbour towns consider the new harbour questionable as it weakens the competitiveness of these other locations. The transport connections are estimated to cost EUR 207,4M, from which the State pays 50% and Helsinki the remainder.
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 21.12.2002
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/arkisto/juttu.asp?id=20021221KO4
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
Russian transit traffic via Finland's rail network has reduced by approximately 1 million tonnes this year - last year transit traffic was 4M tonnes. The port of Kokkola's unprocessed metals traffic reduced by 500,000t to almost non-existence although grain movements have been used to fill the loss. Also fertiliser carriage from Kotka has virtually ended. Lower Russian freight rates have directed many goods into Russian ports after rates were lowered for domestic traffic, only. Even some direct exports to Finland have transferred to ships since the rail portion remains within Russia at the cheaper rates. VR managers point to Russia remaining outside of the WTO, which would have prevented such protectionist pricing.
Source Helsingin Sanomat, 19.12.2002
Source WWW
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/arkisto/juttu.asp?id=20021219TA3
Reported by Keith Dawson
<kmdawson@mbnet.fi>
Sent from host 195.74.26.9
visits since Jan 2 2004. Note that I don't work for
VR.
Created Tue, Dec 9 1997 Kimmo Kotimäki.