Train services between Sweden and Finland resumed after more than 30 years
Quick Look
- Trains have been running again between the Swedish city of Haparanda and the Finnish city of Tornio for a few weeks now, resuming passenger traffic between Sweden and Finland after more than 30 years.
- The route is operated by the Finnish state railway VR and connects Oulu with Haparanda in one hour and 40 minutes.
- The recommissioning was made possible by upgrading the station in Haparanda to address the difference in track gauge between Finland (1524 mm) and Sweden (1435 mm).
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Between 1988 and 2024 there was no passenger traffic on the railway line between Tornio and Haparanda due to the different track widths (Finland: 1524 mm, Sweden: 1435 mm) and the maintenance sensitivity of the previously used railbus. The train station in Haparanda has now been upgraded to allow lane changing.
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Finnish government will build a new standard gauge line parallel to the existing broad gauge.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- When will the planned standard gauge line be built parallel to the existing broad gauge?
- How high are the usage figures for the new train connection so far?
- Will train traffic between Sweden and Finland be possible in the long term without changing the gauge?
Related Topics
This article was originally published by Die Welt.
