European track gauge to Northern Finland? Reports describe solutions, benefits and disadvantages

If the European standard track gauge were to be introduced in Northern Finland, current views support building a parallel track next to the existing track. Railway connections using the European track gauge would primarily improve military mobility capabilities. Further planning of connections has already received some funding.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency investigated, on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, how the European track gauge could be extended from Sweden to Northern Finland. The European standard track gauge (1,435 mm) is 89 mm narrower than the Finnish track gauge (1,524 mm).

The key findings of the study were published in June. The recently published reports provide more extensive information on the implementation methods of the European track gauge, its preliminary costs and the possible impacts of the change on traffic. The sub-reports examine the demand for connections, technical infrastructure solutions with cost estimates and rolling stock-based opportunities to improve transport, and assess impacts. The main report compiles the reports and also complements them. The reports will be later published in Swedish and English as well.

The underlying reason for compiling the reports is the increased importance of transport connections between Finland and Western Europe due to the current geopolitical situation. Military mobility has also been emphasised since Finland joined NATO in 2023.

The Finnish Parliament has already granted funding for further planning of railway connections. The funding is allocated to the planning of the Haparanda/Tornio-Kemi connection.

Technical solutions: Parallel track shows the most potential

A new, narrower line built next to the current line is probably the best way to introduce the European track gauge in Northern Finland. Railway connections to the rest of Finland would remain unchanged, but connections to Sweden would improve. The reports examined connections on the current railway network in the north of Oulu and between Oulu and Raahe. A line from Kolari to Svappavaara, Sweden, has been examined as a completely new connection.

On some sites, dual-gauge gauntlet tracks could also be used if the new track could not be built next to the current track. This would result in four interlacing rails. The four-rail system is currently used, for example, on the railway bridge between Haparanda and Tornio. The construction of gauntlet tracks would be less expensive than a completely new track. On the other hand, the technical feasibility of gauntlet tracks involves many uncertainties, especially on longer track sections.

Reducing the existing gauge to directly match the European track gauge only in Northern Finland has not been examined, as national rail traffic would become impossible if Northern Finland and the rest of Finland had different rail gauges.
Changes to rolling stock or new innovations can also solve problems related to differing track gauges. Transfer loading is already possible at the border between Finland and Sweden. Another option would be to lift trains and change their bogies before moving to a different track gauge. One solution is rolling stock where the width of the bogies can be altered to suit two different track gauges.

These solutions are not an alternative to lines using the European track gauge, and they would require investments in rolling stock. However, lines on the narrower track gauge will also require specialised rolling stock due to differences between the Finnish and Swedish electrification systems.

New opportunities for rail transport, security of supply and military mobility

Extending lines on the European track gauge to Finland on different connections would have a positive impact on accessibility, the security of the transport system and overall societal security.

With the European track gauge, Finland would be better connected to Europe and the European railway network. Currently, freight and passengers should be transferred across trains at the Swedish border.

The benefits to military mobility would be more unambiguous than those to civilian traffic. Military mobility between NATO countries would be facilitated. A common track gauge would also improve connections to the west and therefore security of supply.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has engaged in dialogue with the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Forces, the National Emergency Supply Agency, key businesses, ports, municipalities, regional councils and railway companies. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency’s Nordic counterparts, the Swedish Trafikverket and the Norwegian Jernbanedirektoratet, also participated.

Building new tracks is expensive. Emissions during construction, for example, would also be significant.

The planning of a connection up to Kemi will be launched

In the Parliament’s second supplementary budget for 2025, EUR 20 million has been allocated to the planning of Rail Nordica. The project involves planning a connection on the European track gauge from Haparanda to the Port of Kemi and on the Tornio-Röyttä section. The planning project also includes the Tornionjoki railway bridge and a new loading site. The level of planning is largely general, also taking into consideration the required environmental impact assessments. In the Tornio region, planning will be conducted up to the railway plan phase.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is preparing to launch more detailed planning. Planning will be divided into several planning packages. It is expected that the plans will be finished in 2029.

According to the TEN-T Regulation on European transport networks, Finland must also examine the European track gauge more extensively by 2027. No decision on launching an investigation on this has yet been made.

Although no decision has yet been made in Finland on developing lines on the European track gauge, the potential development of these lines must be taken into consideration in different contexts. For example, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is currently investigating the possibilities of using a sleeper that would suit both European and Finnish track gauges. Sleepers are regularly replaced on the railway network in any case, in connection with renovations and different projects. This solution would allow adapting the rails to a narrower track gauge later.

Further information

Jaakko Knuutila
Division Director, Planning
Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency
Tel. +358 29 534 3525
forename.surname(at)vayla.fi