European Railroad Discussion > Finland: VR-Group acquiring new coaches, lot's of them

VR Group just minutes ago published the following statement:

VR Group has initiated a passenger car procurement process
Media release. Published: 04-Jun-2014 10:31 am - VR Group

The competitive bidding focuses on the acquisition of a new generation of double-deck passengers cars to replace the blue Express train cars.

The public EU tendering process involves 46 double-deck passenger cars and an option for a further 185 cars. The new InterCity cars will replace the blue cars manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s which are at the end of their service life.

– VR Group continues its major rolling stock investments. We want to offer passengers even better service. At the European level we already have a modern fleet, says VR Group's President and CEO Mikael Aro.

VR Group has an ongoing two billion euro investment programme for this and the upcoming decade. In the last few years VR has acquired e.g. new electric locomotives, steering cars and double-deck restaurant cars. In the near future VR will also purchase new diesel locomotives.

New rolling stock suitable for fast rail services

The double-deck passenger cars must be suitable for Finnish conditions, the rail network and 200 km/h services. VR Group requires bidders to have experience in manufacturing double-deck rolling stock and in cold climatic conditions.

The tendering process includes sleeping cars that have been agreed in the exclusivity agreement valid until 2024 on long-distance services concluded between the Ministry of Transport and Communications and VR Group. The investment makes it possible to continue night train services to Kolari.

VR Group's rolling stock acquisitions do not require State funding as they are financed through the Group's normal internal financing and, if required through other means, e.g. debt financing or leasing agreements.

Additional information:
VR Group President and CEO Mikael Aro, tel. +358 307 20 000

VR Group is an ecofriendly, versatile company with responsible operations, offering transport, logistics and infrastructure engineering services.

The Group employs over 10,000 professionals.


Here are some pictures of the previous same generation 2 level rolling stock of theirs.

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Some more examples:

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Examples of the rolling stock to be replaced:

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What's the difference between the cars with red and green stripes?

Thanks,

Fritz in HSV, AL, USA

navy5717th Wrote:
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> What's the difference between the cars with red
> and green stripes?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Fritz in HSV, AL, USA

Green is the new livery.

Excellent question! The colors also tell about the corporate image or VR, first they had grey and blue coaches, then some were painted and all new manufactured red-white-black-gray. The current corporate image is "sallad green" so slowly (very slowly) everything is fading to that color once rolling stock goes through regular major maintenance. I wonder what comes next? Any suggestions what it should be? ;)

It also looks like that for long distance traveling the choice is always now to have double decked coaching, meaning you can walk in the train (or roll with a baby cart or wheelchair) and the walking distances at the stations are much shorter.

navy5717th Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What's the difference between the cars with red
> and green stripes?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Fritz in HSV, AL, USA


I can't resist adding something from 4rail.net, that existed before these more or less modern coaches. So here comes the vintage level of coaches, these were traffic on some local sections all the way until 1980s.

These are also the very coaching that had metal window covers on the traffic from Helsinki to Turku when Soviets occupied the Finnish Porkkala area after WW2 for a few years. At the crossing to the militarized zone the cover plates were slid to place. Then the train stopped at the other end and the plates were removed. This section of the track was called "Porkkala tunnel".

Some more info on Porkkala: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porkkala

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I noticed there is actually an extensive collection of pictures of this coach type at 4rail.net Finnish section, here are a few more for your enjoyment.

The Hv1 number 555 is in lead here. This locomotive is actually going through periodic steam pressure inspection certification this week. All pictures here by Hannu Peltola.

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And coaches...

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I find the new exterior schemes bright and uplifting, without being busy and obnoxious.
Lots of open (negative) space is the key to effective and attractive graphic design.
...Lorenzo