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January and February 2025 were extremely quite due to other commitments, but the year started off with a quick week-long family visit to the UK and a couple of regular movements in and around Dublin Regards, Kieran

Not the last sets

From the far north to the far south of Finland in under a day is possible (Kolari - Hanko via Helsinki). A long end ending up in Pasila just outside Helsinki. Click on the photo below to view them all Regards, Kieran

The very northern tip of the Finnish passenger network doesn't see many trains, in fact in December it was two each way - the sleeper and a timber. Click on the photo below to look at the loco change in Oulu and services in Kolari Regards, Kieran

Nearing the end of the Finnish adventure, with a trip from Tampere to Kolari (overnight) via Toijara, Riihimäki and Hiekkaharju Regards, Kieran

At the moment they have 6x Dr18s (CZ 774s) and currently the one Vectron but two more due for delivery this year. Their website is an interesting read https://www.fenniarail.fi/en/kalusto, and appears to be doing a lot of timber work. One of the Dr18s derailed in Tampere somewhat recently (track spread) so they seem to be expanding operations around. Makes a change to a constant stream of VR traffic!

The Finnish trip continues, with a trip from Tampere to Turku, onwards to Helsinki and back to Tampere with a pair of Sr1s, then falling upon the below Sr1 hauled Intercity service (with a failed Vectron on the rear). Click on the photo below to view them all Regards, Kieran

Only more winterised to cope with the temperatures and snowfall

A day in Tampere killing time before the Raskasta Joulua concert that evening in the Nokia arena, with a good mix of Sr1, Sr2 and Sr3 action along with a former German Powerhaul loc. Click on the photo below to view them all Regards, Kieran

Day 2 in Finland saw me predominately in Kouvola and Tampere, with a trip to Savonlinna to get between the two. Plenty of freight through Kouvola, and Sr1 action on one of the sleepers. Click on the photo below to view them all Regards, Kieran

It's a no-no here too except in very specific circumstances In Finland however they propel 13 coach trains 2 miles from the depot into Helsinki station and vice versa for the Kemijärvi sleepers. Shunter travels in the front/rear coach with a radio.

Long gone anyway!

December 2024 primarily featured a trip to Finland, with an interlude in the middle to go to the annual Raskasta Jouloa tour in Tampere (to experience Christmas songs in their proper metal context!). The first day was a simple enough spin from Helsinki Airport to Kouvola. Click on the photo below to view them all Regards, Kieran

Very different hydrogen style of operation though it has to be said (although the issues with supply still apply). The German ones are fuel cell technology while the 071 conversion is internal combustion of hydrogen

My final Dutch trip of 2024 was based in Utrecht and Rotterdam, with the aim of getting various ICM and ICR sets (the latter particularly before withdrawal), along with a trip to Trainworld in Brussels. Click on the photo below to view them all Regards, Kieran