Welcome to the Finnish Sr1 Wolves page. We hunted for this page VR-Yhtyma wolfpacks in Finland in the summer of 2009 and kept doing so ever since! The target of having the most important information on and pictures of almost all units available is approaching fast. Click any picture to see the large version of it!      

Page is divided to three sections:

 VR-Yhtymä Sr1 Wolf Story * Sr1 Technical Info * Sr1 (most of them) Roster Pictures *    

    
 
 Sr1 Story 
The history of Sr1 goes back to 1960's when Finland started to change its main rail lines to overhead wire electricity. it was widely discussed if locomotives would be ordered from the west where most of them came or were licensed, east or even built in Finland. Finally it was decided that the Soviet Novocherkassk could build a type to withstand the harsh winter conditions in Finland for an acceptable price. Much of the electrical parts of the locomotive were however built in Finland. The first units, first electric locomotives for Finland, arrived in 1973. Even today, these locos have stood much of the test of the time and all are still in use. Also the age and use is showing, regardless of the continuous proper maintenance for the machines. One taht is obviously missing is the regenerative braking, which could save up to 50% of the energy needed. Also, the locomotives fail when they are taken to the long tunnels like the one to Vuosaari harbor (24km) near Helsinki. The highest speed of 140 km/h (87 mph) is suitable today only for the freight and local passenger trains, although the locomotives are frequently found on many long distance services as well due to the shortage of modern power for the operator before the VR-Yhtyma class Sr3 arrives.    

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 Sr1 Technical Info 

Technical details for Sr1 "Siberian Wolf"
-> Type: Sr1 (VL40 of Novocherkassk)   
-> Operator: VR-Yhtyma  
-> Usage: Medium multipurpose locomotive  
-> Builder: Novocherkassk (2 last units put together in Finland from Soviet parts)
-> Production dates: 1973 to 1985, 199?, 1996 
-> Numbers built: 112 , two unit added later to the roster from the spare parts
-> Numbers in use: ~110 
   
-> Seen: Finland 
   
-> Energy Source: 25 kV 50Hz overhead electric   
-> Power output: 3280 kW (4460 Hp) at lower speeds
-> Transmission: electric DC, Bo'Bo'
-> Traction motors: 
-> Tractive Effort:   kN
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): not available
-> Wheel arrangement:  Bo'-Bo' 
-> Wheel diameter: 1250 mm as new
   
-> Maximum operational speed where possible:  140 km/h (87 mph), some units were capable of 160 km/h (99mph) for a few years before the type Sr2 arrived,  but those were converted back to 140 km/h.   

-> Length: 19 m 
-> Heigth:
-> Width:      

-> Weight:  84 metric tons
-> Max axle weight: 21,5 metric tons

-> Notes:
     - Scrapped due to accident: 3048 and 3089  
     - There are plans to retire the obsolete locomotive type with the new
         VR-Yhtyma class Sr3 starting year 2013
   


   
    

An unknown Sr1 in typical Russian style original colors, the broad yellow stripe at both ends was added later in Finland. 

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Sr1 Roster Pictures 
   
   
Sr1 number 3001

The very first Sr1 wolf delivered to Finland (the prototype was 3000 and became later to the country as a spare locomotive to be rebuilt as 3112). Here the 3001 is bringing Tolstoy from Moscow to the Helsinki main station, the other end of the overnight journey.
     
     
Sr1 number 3004

The number four in the manufacturers line Sr1 3004 has just arrived with and IC2 train to Helsinki main station.  
     
     
Sr1 number 3010 

Number 3010 is waiting for its turn to be repaired at the Kouvola depot with a row of old diesels at the background.   
       
     
Sr1 number 3011  Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3011 and number 3042 at the point stop in Tikkurila on their assignment to pull the Sibelius train from Helsinki main to Vainikkala at the Russian border. Either locomotive is probabaly on the way to service in Kouvola or next assignment somewhere in Finland. In Vainikkala the remaining locomotive will be changed to available RzD loco (EP10 / Tep70 / VL82M).

   
     
Sr1 number 3013
Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3013 front seen from the service and inspection carage. 
     
       
Sr1 number 3015
Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3015 ready to back up to couple with the next freight train at Tampere main station. 

Picture: VR-Yhtymas Sr1 wolves number 3015, 3085 and unidentified sister hauling steel rolls at the Tampere main station. Below the 3015 assigned to lumber trains of southeast of Finland.

     
     
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Sr1 number 3018

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3018 with its sister units 3065 and 3110 resting at Kouvola station.  
     
   
Sr1 number 3021
Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3021 on the point of a normal passenger train at Hiirola station in Finland. 

The same unit 3021 in the dark winters morning at Helsinki main station.      
   
   

Sr1 number 3025 

VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3025 is just arriving to Helsinki with and IC2 coaching on the fine summers day in the summer of 2009.  
     
   
Sr1 number 3028 
VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3028 next to S220 Pendolino at the Helsinki Main.
   
   
Sr1 number 3029 
Same setting as above, but different units on another day...VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3029 next to S220 Pendolino at the Helsinki Main.

The same unit 3029 bathing in the summers warmth at the Kouvola depot with sister 3075 and another unidentified unit.
        
     
Sr1 number 3030 
VR-Yhtyma Sr1 3030 waiting for its rturn at the point of the Sibelius train after the RzD Tep70 brings it across the border and leaves it for the Finnish locomotives to handle.     
   
     
Sr1 number 3031
Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3031 and Sr2 number 3210 side by side at Ilmala depot for comparison. The Sr2 on the right is twice as powerful with its top speed of 200 km/h (Sr1 140 km/h).     

   
   
Sr1 number 3037 
Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3037 taking a curve at the Kerava northern junction. Picture by John McKey 2009.

The same unit in 2010 in the winter at the Helsinki main station. Picture by Andreas Ehnberg 2010.
          
     
Sr1 number 3039 
Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3039 sitting outside the locomotive works in Kouvola.
   
       
Sr1 number 3040 
VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3040 seen arriving to the train shed of Helsinki Main.
     
     
Sr1 number 3041 
Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3041 with IC coaches nearing the Kerava station. Picture by Gerard J. Putz 2005.
     
     
Sr1 number 3042

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3011 and number 3042 at the point stop in Tikkurila on their assignment to pull the Sibelius train from Helsinki main to Vainikkala at the Russian border. Either locomotive is probabaly on the way to service in Kouvola or next assignment somewhere in Finland. In Vainikkala the remaining locomotive will be changed to available RzD loco (EP10 / Tep70 / VL82M).

     
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Sr1 number 3045

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3045, 3065 and 3073 sitting outside Kouvola locomotive works ready for the next assignments.

     
     
Sr1 number 3046

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3046 preparing to start the paper train in Lauritsala at Lappeenranta Finland. Picture by John McKey 2009. Below another angle to the same train ;) 

          
     
 Sr1 number 3054  

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3054 waiting for sand to be added at Kouvola station.  Below the same unit one hour before at Kuusankoski station near Kouvola.

   

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 numbers 3054 and 3077 near Helsinki.
   
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Sr1 number 3065
Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3018 with its sister units 3065 and 3110 resting at Kouvola station. Picture by Hannu Peltola 2009.
     

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3045, 3065 and 3073 sitting outside Kouvola locomotive works ready for the next assignments.   

Two weeks later in Helsinki, the unit 3065 waits for the next use probably powering the local or sleeper train to the north, or one of the numerous freight train assignments. Picture by John McKey 2009.  
     
        
Sr1 number 3072Snow covered VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3072 with a looong RzD Tolstoy train from Moscow Russia at Helsinki Main in Finland. 
       
   
Sr1 number 3073

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3073 in Kouvola. 

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3045, 3065 and 3073 sitting outside Kouvola locomotive works ready for the next assignments.

          
     

     
     
Sr1 number 3074
Picture: The Sr1 wolves number 3074, 3100 and 3112 in front of the Helsinki Main famous clock tower. Picture by Gerard J. Putz 2005. 
     
     
Sr1 number 3075  
The same unit 3075 bathing in the summers warmth at the Kouvola depot with sister 3029 and another unidentified unit.  
   
   
Sr1 number 3076

Picture above: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3076 in Helsinki Ilmala depot backing up for service after bringing coaches for cleaning. 

 Finnish VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3076 at the Kerava northern junction under construction. The train is coming from St Petersburg and is currently using the overpass in the picture. These locomotive pulled trains will soon give room for new Pendolino units and later possible the RzD Velaro-Rus super high speed trains. Picture by Gerard J. Putz 2005. 

   
     

Sr1 number 3077   
Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 numbers 3054 and 3077 near Helsinki.

Sr1 number 3100
Picture: The Sr1 wolves number 3074, 3100 and 3112 in front of the Helsinki Main famous clock tower. Picture by Gerard J. Putz 2005. 
     
     
Sr1 number 3103 
The Wolf number 3103 preparing to leave for a dash to Helsinki from Kouvola station.  
     
     
Sr1 number 3104 
Picture: The late production Sr1 number 3104 dormant at Ilmala depot in Helsinki. Picture by John McKey 2009. 
   
           
Sr1 number 3105 
Unit 3105 plus sister at the point of the red coached regional train sawing daily between Helsinki and Riihimäki in the southern Finland.  
   
   
Sr1 number 3106 
The Wolf number 3106 takes a few hours rest between the assignments pulling eraly morning and evening rush hour red coach trains. Picture by John McKey 2009. 
       
     

Sr1 number 3110

Picture above and below: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3110 start the old days blue train from Helsinki Main station. Picture above and below by Gerard J. Putz 2005.

        

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1s number 3018 with its sister units 3065 and 3110 resting at Kouvola station. Picture by Hannu Peltola 2009. 

Picture: VR-Yhtyma Sr1 number 3110 at the Fenno Russian border with a VR-Yhtymas 'Sibelius' train arriving from its daily trip to St Petersburg. (Only the coaches make the trip across the border). Picture by Sanna Siissalo 2009. 

Sr1 number 3112
Picture: VR-Yhtymas last Woldf and the second unit buil in Finland from the spare parts is the Sr1s number 3112, here seen in Turku. Below the same locomotive with sisters 3074 and 3100 in front of the Helsinki Main clock tower. Pictures by Gerard J. Putz 2005.     

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