A fault in the track system interrupted train traffic on the mainline on Tuesday night. Trains are now running at reduced speeds.

The railway traffic on Finland's main rail line has returned to normal operations, according to information released by Fintraffic’s Rail Traffic Center. This follows disruptions caused by an incident that occurred in Kerava over the weekend. The disturbances led to delays in long-distance trains, which were approximately 40 minutes behind schedule, while local trains experienced delays of about half an hour. These interruptions had been ongoing since earlier in the week, when a system failure impacted train services along the main line.

The initial disruption was reported on Tuesday evening, when a fault in the rail system interrupted train traffic on the main line. According to Fintraffic’s Rail Traffic Center, the issue stemmed from a device nearing the end of its service life, and there is no suspicion of foul play in this case. VR, the national railway company, had previously indicated that the problem occurred between Kokkola and Pietarsaari-Pedersö. As a result, multiple trains traveling between Helsinki and Oulu or Rovaniemi have been significantly delayed during the evening hours. In some instances, these delays could reach up to 90 minutes due to congestion in the traffic flow. An initial estimate suggested that repairs would be completed by mid-evening, with train services expected to return to normal during the night.

Further reports indicate that the disruption affected train schedules throughout Thursday as well. A power line fault on the main rail line caused delays in train traffic all day. According to Fintraffic, the fault location was identified between Järvenpää and Ainola early on Thursday morning, potentially causing delays of 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day. Trains running between Helsinki and Tampere also passed through this section of track. Fintraffic noted that delays could occur more frequently if multiple trains pass through the faulty area simultaneously. However, the disruption did not necessarily impact trains operating strictly according to their schedules. The cause of the fault was attributed to a widespread issue in the power lines along the track. Due to the extent of the damage, repairs were not expected to begin until late Friday night. At present, the identity of the person responsible for the damage remains unknown.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of Finland’s rail infrastructure to technical failures, particularly in critical components such as power systems and signaling devices. While the fault was localized and not linked to malicious activity, it underscores the importance of regular maintenance and timely replacement of aging equipment. The delay in restoring full service also illustrates the challenges faced by rail operators in managing unexpected disruptions without significant impacts on passenger travel times.

In response to the situation, VR and Fintraffic worked together to provide updates and manage the flow of trains around the affected area. Passengers were advised to expect potential delays and adjust their travel plans accordingly. Despite the inconvenience, authorities emphasized that safety remained the top priority, and no injuries were reported during the incident.

Looking ahead, officials anticipate that similar issues may arise unless preventive measures are taken to address aging infrastructure. Discussions are likely to continue regarding the need for increased investment in rail network upgrades and modernization efforts. Until then, passengers should remain prepared for possible disruptions, especially during peak travel periods.