Minister: Finland plans to change its track gauge from the 1524mm( “Russian”) standard to the 1435mm European standard

https://yle.fi/a/74-20161606

by Straight_Ad2258

23 comments

  2. I don’t know, sounds quite expensive. There’s 6000km of train track in Finland. So if we talk about the whole system, it costs probably tens of billions of euros. Not sure how easy it would be to change gauge – maybe you could use the same tracks, but new sleepers/ties would be required. And current trains/carts would also requite changes (if it’s even possible to change gauge on all equipment) worth multiple billions.

    I understand that new tracks that go to Sweden/Norway (or even Estonia via tunnel) could be made in 1,435 mm, but honestly I’m quite sceptical about the rest. I would believe that a system of changing-gauge trains (quite widely used in Spain for example) and 1435mm new tracks/mixed gauge tracks in border areas would be cheaper.

  3. I would point construction works would start in 2030’s and would take couple decades for the whole network. Meaning there is couple parliamentary elections and government before even the first of the actual field work would start. Research and planning before that for half a decade.

    Thus very much a “this government suggest this, but very much up to later governments whether this actually happens” endeavor.

  4. When even your trains pick a side, you know it’s serious

  6. What would be the economic benefits (needless to talk about the geopolitic implications) ? Less expensive tenders for trains that would be of a standard gauge for the foreseeable future ?

    Perhaps this can be carried out in conjuction with the modernization of the infrastruction. – think ETCS.

    All in all i suspect the most cost effective solution would be to link helsinki to the baltics and sweeden with european gauge and keep the rest of the network on the same specifics.

  8. It would be possible to completely get rid of the railway in Finland, it would be cheap, and russian trains would definitely not be able to pass through.

  10. You just loosen up the spikes and tap them a wee bit closer.

  11. I think this change is too drastic of an action. It is a massive thing and we need to be careful with things like this. I propose we meet halfway and change to half the difference at first. Then after gathering experience, we can change to the European one, if the justification is there. This staged approach will also make it easier to accept for the general public.

  12. This won’t be tens of billions of euros as many others here are pointing out.
    You already have the rails on the ground, they “only” need to be repositioned. Move both rails further to the center to avoid having to realign the overhead wiring as well. Track switches could be more difficult to convert, but there, too, I don’t see how you would need new ones. Eventually you’d have to fill in some gaps that formed.

    The costlier thing is changing the trains and cars. You don’t need new trains either. But realigning all the axles takes a lot of effort. And again, you won’t need new axles, the existing ones should mostly be adjustable.

    This is all work that has been done in other parts of Europe or the world. Essentially no new rolling stock has to be bought. And with Rail Baltica and the tunnel to Tallinn coming eventually, the Finnish network would connect perfectly.

    In my eyes this would not cost more than one billion, I’d even say half that or a third could do it.

    Source: I studied railway technologies.

  13. They only need to do the first 100 meters to stop an invasion.

  14. Dual-gauge tracks to Sweden/Norway and quickly destructible tracks on the Russian border.

  15. Russia literally swallowing NATO.
    Finland: “let’s change our train tracks”.
    kkkkkkkkk Femboyland 🇫🇮

  16. The conversion most likely will start from the north to have strategic logistics access to thru other nato countries.

    The implementation options are covered in other article

    https://yle.fi/a/74-20161782

    “Narrower train tracks could be implemented in at least four ways – not all options are suitable for Finnish conditions”

  18. This is so expensive that no way we can afford that.

  19. Makes absolutely no sense. If EU pays it completely, fine then but no Finns money should be spent on it.

  20. I think this is very expensive endeavour and the benefits will be marginal.

    Current connections do not justify it imo (the Tallinn tunnel is a pipedream, the route trough North Sweden is too long, it’s easier just to load things into ships).

    With the limited rail/road connections between Russia and Finland defence is not a big enough reason.

    It’s somewhat nonsense from the current government and nothing concrete happens during their time.

  21. Not a good idea. Seriously. We may spend billions of Euros on such constructions, but the actual gain is very little. Even the rail gauge is the same, it does not mean Russia has the convenience of invading Finland.

    I believe we could have a better and more meaningful way to spend a few billions.

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