The old days Finland had a very lively steam railroading. While the "Ukko Pekka" (Hr1), Risto (Tr1) and similar locomotives took care on the traffic on busy main lines, smaller 'steamers' handled traffic on much smaller volumes around the country. Many of these survive as monuments around Finnish networks stations. Some are still steaming on, like the privately owned Tk3 number 1168.

All pictures by Hannu Peltola.

Information on the Finnish Vr1
Vr1, nick named "Chicken", were built in 1913 - 1927 as L1, late Russian period and early independence years for Finland. This locomotive type was designed in Finland and manufactured in Germany by Hanomag but also in Finland by Tampella. The L1 was the first "heavy" switcher and a very successful one: the last ones were removed from the regular service as late as 1975! The "chicken" nick name derives from the up and down going movement of the locomotive front when moving.

  See more of Vr1 / L1 Summer Visions pictures and stories by Hannu Peltola...

Allegro Pendolino #4 of Karelian trains glides into stop in Tikkurila, Vantaa to board passengers interchanging from Helsinki international Airport. Below the train is river Kerava in its winter form of very little water running. The rapids will fill with water again in just 6 weeks to create quite different landscape.

Below: Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto Oy owned Flirt trains of class Sm5 take care every month on more and more of the Helsinki area local traffic. Here the unit 3 is seen just leaving Tikkurila station. In the background the bridge of Science center Heureka and Hotel Vantaa. All pictures on this page by Hannu Peltola.

Furthest below: more Flirt train pictures from a harsh but sunny winter day in Helsinki.

All pictures by Hannu Peltola.