Trams in Finland
Encyclopedia
Trams in Finland go back to a horse-drawn Turku tramway network, which opened in 1890. Electric tramway traction started in Finland in 1900, and the horse-drawn trams last operated in 1917.
Although there were three Finnish tramway networks between 1912 and World War II
, the number of networks had dwindled to just one, in Helsinki
, by 1972. Since then, the Helsinki network has remained Finland's only tramway network. However, there have been, and still are, a number of proposals to set up new networks, in the form of light rail
, elsewhere in the country.
For part of its existence, the Helsinki tramway network has been supplemented by trolleybus
systems in Helsinki (1949 - 1974, and on a trial basis 1979 - 1985) and nearby Tampere
(1948 - 1976).
Turku tram traffic was abandoned in 1972, when the last remaining tram line was replaced by buses.
The arguments against the Turku tramway were associated with the 1960s view that trams were an outdated mode of transport. Buses were seen as modern technology, and trams as old-fashioned.
The decision to close the Turku tramway network can also be seen in part as inspired by events in Stockholm, which had closed most of its tramway network a little earlier.
Following the cession
of the city to the Soviet Union
during World War II
, the tramway network remained in service until 1957.
Notes:
Finnish railways with mostly or only freight traffic have been called "tramways".
These railways include a "freight tram" in Tampere (from Finlayson to Santalahti woodyard a few miles away, closed in 1957), the harbour railway in Lohja
(Finland's first electric railway, from the state railway station to the port, including passenger services, closed in 1930), the railway in Mustio (a freight line from the railway station to the mill, closed in 1964) and Kyröskoski industrial railway in Hämeenkyrö
(Finland's last narrow gauge industrial railway
, closed in 1989).
.
The Helsinki tramway network is presently being extended to Jätkäsaari
south of Ruoholahti
, and Laajasalo
east of the city centre, through a series of bridges across the islands including Korkeasaari
, where the line is to run through a tunnel under the Zoological Garden
.
). This planned expansion, if constructed, would be the first real light rail
line in Helsinki, and would involve the conversion of the current Jokeri bus line, line 550, into a cross city tramway similar to Stockholm's Tvärbanan
.
The Jokeri line runs from the site of the proposed Länsimetro
station at Tapiola
, Espoo
in the west to the Itäkeskus metro station
, Helsinki in the east. It also offers interchange with commuter rail services in Leppävaara
, Espoo and Oulunkylä
, Helsinki.
, Pori
, Jyväskylä
, Kouvola
, Pieksämäki
, and also Espoo and Vantaa
, cities belonging to Greater Helsinki
. The latter places would probably have light rail systems compatible with the Helsinki tramway network.
Apart from the projects announced for Greater Helsinki, the proposals for Tampere and Turku are probably the most accepted.
There have also been proposals to build a heritage tramway in Turku that would run during the summer season along the Aura River between the Turku Castle
and Martinsilta
(St Martin's Bridge), and later also to the Market Square
, in perhaps the most attractive part of Turku. The old tram depot (with a few old, restored cars in operating condition) is on Linnankatu, a stone's throw from the castle and the river. The route would be relatively short, and the tramway would therefore be relatively inexpensive to build. The Museum Tram initiative is pending in the Turku city administration, but has not been progressed since 2005.
This article is based upon a translation of the Swedish language version as at October 2011.
Although there were three Finnish tramway networks between 1912 and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the number of networks had dwindled to just one, in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, by 1972. Since then, the Helsinki network has remained Finland's only tramway network. However, there have been, and still are, a number of proposals to set up new networks, in the form of light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
, elsewhere in the country.
Helsinki
In Helsinki, horse trams operated between 1890 and 1900, and again between 1913 and 1917. Since 1900, electric trams have operated there.For part of its existence, the Helsinki tramway network has been supplemented by trolleybus
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
systems in Helsinki (1949 - 1974, and on a trial basis 1979 - 1985) and nearby Tampere
Tampere
Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in...
(1948 - 1976).
Turku
In Turku, there were horse trams from 1890 to 1892, and electric trams from 1908 to 1972.Turku tram traffic was abandoned in 1972, when the last remaining tram line was replaced by buses.
The arguments against the Turku tramway were associated with the 1960s view that trams were an outdated mode of transport. Buses were seen as modern technology, and trams as old-fashioned.
The decision to close the Turku tramway network can also be seen in part as inspired by events in Stockholm, which had closed most of its tramway network a little earlier.
Vyborg
Trams began running in Vyborg, then in Finland, in 1912. They were electrically operated right from the beginning.Following the cession
Cession
The act of Cession, or to cede, is the assignment of property to another entity. In international law it commonly refers to land transferred by treaty...
of the city to the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the tramway network remained in service until 1957.
Table
| City | Article | Propulsion | Period | Rail gauge Rail gauge Track gauge or rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the heads of the two load bearing rails that make up a single railway line. Sixty percent of the world's railways use a standard gauge of . Wider gauges are called broad gauge; smaller gauges, narrow gauge. Break-of-gauge refers... (mm) |
Livery | ||
| Older | Newer | ||||||
| Helsinki Helsinki Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is... |
Trams in Helsinki | Horse | 1891-1901, 1913-1917 | 1,000 | |||
| Helsinki | Trams in Helsinki | Electricity | 1900- | 1,000 | |||
| Turku Turku Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland... |
Trams in Turku | Horses | 1890-1892 | 1,435 | |||
| Turku | Trams in Turku | Electricity | 1908-1972 | 1,000 | |||
| Vyborg Vyborg Vyborg is a town in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, situated on the Karelian Isthmus near the head of the Bay of Vyborg, to the northwest of St. Petersburg and south from Russia's border with Finland, where the Saimaa Canal enters the Gulf of Finland... |
Trams in Vyborg | Electricity | 1912-1939, 1943-1957 | 1,000 | |||
Notes:
- There has been a horse-drawn tramway in LauttasaariLauttasaariLauttasaari is an island and neighbourhood of Western Helsinki , about 3 kilometres west of the city centre....
that belonged to the municipality of HuopalahtiHuopalahtiHuopalahti was a municipality during the years 1920–1945 in Uusimaa, Finland. The municipality was bilingual.Current areas of Munkkiniemi, Lauttasaari and parts of northern Pasila were parts of Huopalahti....
. Today, however, Lauttasaari is a suburb of Helsinki. - A few other places (KulosaariKulosaariKulosaari is an island and a suburb in Helsinki, Finland. It is also the 42nd neighbourhood of the city. Construction of villas on the island started in the beginning of the 20th century, and a bridge from Sörnäinen was opened in 1919...
, HaagaHaagaHaaga is a district and a former municipality in the Western major district of Helsinki with a population of 25,435.Haaga is divided into four subareas, which are Pohjois-Haaga , Etelä-Haaga , Kivihaka and Lassila.Haaga has two railway stations: Huopalahti railway station in south and...
, Huopalahti and HelsingeHelsingeUntil 1 January 2007, Helsinge was a municipality in Frederiksborg County on the north coast of the island of Zealand in eastern Denmark. It had a total population of 19,473 , but in the summer months the population grew to over 36.000 people. Its last mayor was Claus Lange, a member of the...
municipality in the Helsinki region, and KaarinaKaarinaKaarina is a small city and municipality of Finland.It is located in the Finland Proper region and is a neighbouring town of Turku, which is the capital of Finland Proper, therefore Kaarina is a part of the Greater Turku region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of...
and MaariaMaariaMaaria is a former municipality of Finland in what is now the northern part of the city of Turku. The area has been inhabited since the Iron Age, and it became an important village in the 15th century with the construction of a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary...
in the Turku region) have had a tramway that belonged to a larger neighbouring municipality.
Other tramways
Some narrow gaugeNarrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
Finnish railways with mostly or only freight traffic have been called "tramways".
These railways include a "freight tram" in Tampere (from Finlayson to Santalahti woodyard a few miles away, closed in 1957), the harbour railway in Lohja
Lohja
Lohja , is a town and municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the Uusimaa region. The town has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water...
(Finland's first electric railway, from the state railway station to the port, including passenger services, closed in 1930), the railway in Mustio (a freight line from the railway station to the mill, closed in 1964) and Kyröskoski industrial railway in Hämeenkyrö
Hämeenkyrö
Hämeenkyrö is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Pirkanmaa region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
(Finland's last narrow gauge industrial railway
Industrial railway
An industrial railway is a type of railway that is not available for public transportation and is used exclusively to serve a particular industrial, logistics or military site...
, closed in 1989).
Today
In Helsinki, there are currently eight to twelve tram lines, depending upon how they are counted. In August 2008, the first completely new line since 1976 entered service, when line 9 was opened from Trekanten to Itä-PasilaItä-Pasila
Itä-Pasila , Östra Böle is a neighborhood of Helsinki, Finland....
.
The Helsinki tramway network is presently being extended to Jätkäsaari
Jätkäsaari
Jätkäsaari is a quarter in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland. It is part to the Kampinmalmi district and Länsisatama neighbourhood. It is was the location of the main container harbour in Helsinki until late 2008, when the harbour moved to the new facilities in Vuosaari...
south of Ruoholahti
Ruoholahti
Ruoholahti is a quarter in Helsinki, part of the Länsisatama neighbourhood and Kampinmalmi district. The name means Grass Bay and is pronounced...
, and Laajasalo
Laajasalo
Laajasalo is a group of islands that forms a neighbourhood in southern Helsinki, the capital of Finland. As of 2005, it had a population of 16,486....
east of the city centre, through a series of bridges across the islands including Korkeasaari
Korkeasaari
Korkeasaari is an island in Helsinki, Finland where the country's biggest zoo is situated. The English name of the zoo is Helsinki Zoo.The zoo is located on a rocky island. It's connected to mainland via a bridge to Mustikkamaa, where there is access to the zoo all year round...
, where the line is to run through a tunnel under the Zoological Garden
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
.
Helsinki
In the Helsinki region, there are also other plans to expand the network, through a larger project called Jokeri ("The Joker", after the playing cardJoker (playing card)
Joker is a special type of playing card found in most modern decks, or else a type of tile in some Mahjong game sets.-Name:It is believed that the term "Joker" comes from a mispronunciation of Jucker, the German/Alsatian name for the game Euchre. The card was originally introduced in about 1860 for...
). This planned expansion, if constructed, would be the first real light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
line in Helsinki, and would involve the conversion of the current Jokeri bus line, line 550, into a cross city tramway similar to Stockholm's Tvärbanan
Tvärbanan
Tvärbanan is a light rail line in the suburbs of Stockholm, Sweden. Its name literally translated into English is Crossways line. It links together many bus and rail lines crossways through its connections with the southern and western subway branches of the Stockholm Metro and the Stockholm...
.
The Jokeri line runs from the site of the proposed Länsimetro
Länsimetro
The Western Metro Extension will be an extension of the Helsinki Metro system from central Helsinki, Finland, to the neighbouring city of Espoo. The new stretch of line will extend from the existing Ruoholahti metro station via the island of Lauttasaari, the Aalto University School of Science and...
station at Tapiola
Tapiola
Tapiola or Hagalund is a district of Espoo on the south coast of Finland, and is one of the major urban centres of Espoo...
, Espoo
Espoo
Espoo is the second largest city and municipality in Finland. The population of the city of Espoo is . It is part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area along with the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. Espoo shares its eastern border with Helsinki and Vantaa, while enclosing Kauniainen....
in the west to the Itäkeskus metro station
Itäkeskus metro station
Itäkeskus or Östra centrum is a ground-level station on the Helsinki Metro. It serves the Itäkeskus shopping centre and surrounding areas in East Helsinki...
, Helsinki in the east. It also offers interchange with commuter rail services in Leppävaara
Leppävaara
Leppävaara or Alberga is a district of Espoo, a city in Finland. A major traffic hub in the Greater Helsinki region, the Rantarata rail line and Kehä I, the busiest road in Finland, cross in Leppävaara. The Sello Shopping Centre is also located there...
, Espoo and Oulunkylä
Oulunkylä
Oulunkylä is a suburb and a neighbourhood of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. It is located north from the center of the city.It has been inhabited since the 13th century. Earlier an independent municipality, it was made part of Helsinki in 1946. A rink used for speed skating and bandy is...
, Helsinki.
Light rail proposals
Additionally, there are proposals to introduce light rail in a number of Finnish cities, such as Turku, Tampere, OuluOulu
Oulu is a city and municipality of inhabitants in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the most populous city in Northern Finland and the sixth most populous city in the country. It is one of the northernmost larger cities in the world....
, Pori
Pori
Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. The city is located some from the Gulf of Bothnia, on the estuary of the Kokemäenjoki river, which is the largest in Finland. Pori is the most important town in the Satakunta region....
, Jyväskylä
Jyväskylä
Jyväskylä is the capital of Central Finland and the largest city on the Finnish Lakeland, north-east of Tampere and north of Helsinki, on northern coast of lake Päijänne. The city has been continuously one of the most rapidly growing cities in Finland since World War II. The city is surrounded...
, Kouvola
Kouvola
Kouvola is a town and municipality in southeastern Finland. It is located northeast of the capital, Helsinki.The city has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is ....
, Pieksämäki
Pieksämäki
Pieksämäki is a town and municipality of Finland. Its original name was Haukivuori .It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the Southern Savonia region.The town has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
, and also Espoo and Vantaa
Vantaa
Vantaa is a city and municipality in Finland. Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen make up the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.Vantaa, with its population of , is the fourth most populated city of Finland. The biggest airport in Finland, the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located there...
, cities belonging to Greater Helsinki
Greater Helsinki
Greater Helsinki and the smaller Helsinki Metropolitan Area or Capital Region refer to two regions of different size surrounding Helsinki, the capital of Finland...
. The latter places would probably have light rail systems compatible with the Helsinki tramway network.
Apart from the projects announced for Greater Helsinki, the proposals for Tampere and Turku are probably the most accepted.
Tampere
A light rail system has been planned for Tampere for several years, and it is an important element in the city region's structural model. The traffic plan was completed in 2010. It is planned that the first line (Vuores–Hervanta–Centre–Lentävänniemi) will be built between 2015 and 2020.Turku
In Turku, the newest light rail plan was approved as part of the Turku area public inquiry for the period to 2020. In December 2009, the Turku City Council decided that "light rail will be built for the routes that are heavily congested, when the financial plan and related conditions, and government financing and the proportions that the other municipalities within the region will pay for construction, have been agreed."There have also been proposals to build a heritage tramway in Turku that would run during the summer season along the Aura River between the Turku Castle
Turku Castle
Turku Castle is a monument of Finnish history situated in the city of Turku in Finland. Together with Turku Cathedral, the castle is one of the oldest buildings still in use in Finland. Turku Castle is the largest surviving medieval building in Finland and one of the largest surviving medieval...
and Martinsilta
Martinsilta
Martinsilta is a beam bridge spanning the Aurajoki river in Turku, Finland. It was built in 1940, although a proposed bridge appeared on its present location already in the city plan that Carl Ludvig Engel created after the Great Fire of Turku of 1827...
(St Martin's Bridge), and later also to the Market Square
Market Square, Turku
The Market Square is a city square in the city of Turku, in Finland. It is located in the city's VI District, and is generally considered the city's central square. It hosts a lively market on weekdays, and there are several cafés and restaurants on the square.The buildings around the Market...
, in perhaps the most attractive part of Turku. The old tram depot (with a few old, restored cars in operating condition) is on Linnankatu, a stone's throw from the castle and the river. The route would be relatively short, and the tramway would therefore be relatively inexpensive to build. The Museum Tram initiative is pending in the Turku city administration, but has not been progressed since 2005.
See also
- History of rail transport in FinlandHistory of rail transport in FinlandThe history of rail transport in Finland began on January 31 1862, with the opening of the railway line between Helsinki and Hämeenlinna. By 1900 most of the future main lines had been constructed, including the line to St. Petersburg...
- List of town tramway systems in Europe
- Rail transport in FinlandRail transport in FinlandThe Finnish railway network consists of a total of 5,919 km of railways built with Russian gauge track. Passenger trains are operated by the private state-owned VR Group. They serve all the major cities and many rural areas, though railway connections are available to fewer places than bus...
External links
- Finnish Tramway Society - official website
- Kaupunkiliikenne - website about modern tramways from a Finnish perspective
This article is based upon a translation of the Swedish language version as at October 2011.