Steam to Sweden (Oulu asema–Haaparanta) 6/7/2017

A unique chance to cross the national border (and river Tornionjoki) to Sweden by steam! Organised by Steamrail (Höyryraide Oy).

There is double-gauge track – 1524 and 1435 mm – between Tornio (FI) and Haparanda/Haaparanta (SE) over river Tornionjoki. Nowadays this unfortunately is a freight-only line. Finnish passenger traffic to Tornio station ended in 1988, Swedish passenger trains came over until 1991. Seasonal sleeper trains Helsinki–Kolari stop at Tornio-itäinen (Tornio East) halt east of the triangle. Sweden has plans to re-open passenger traffic from Boden to Haparanda/Haaparanta, but this time on the new electrified line via Kalix/Kainuu.

Reservations beforehand either:

• by e-mail tapani.laaksomies(at)steamrail.fi
• by e-mail nurmes(at)visitkarelia.fi
• telephone +358-400-845 466

Wood-burning steam locomotive Hv3 "Heikki" nr. 995 (Lokomo 1941) will pull 1950s wooden coaches.

Tickets: Oulu-Kemi adults 60 € return, children 30 €
Kemi-Tornio-Haaparanta-Tornio-Kemi adults 30 €, children 15 €

Timetable: Oulu 7.50, Ii 8.55, Kuivaniemi 9.44, Simo 10.00,Kemi 10.40, Tornio 11.35, Haaparanta 11.50-12.15 (Finnish time, 1 hour ahead of Swedish time!). Tornio 12.25-13.10, Kemi 13.55-14.25, Simo 15.04, Kuivaniemi 15.19, Ii 16.17 and Oulu 17.30.