East Railway study: The Finnish track gauge must be examined as part of the European transport system

According to an East Railway study, introduction of the European track gauge on the East Railway is justified if systematic expansion of the track gauge in Finland is promoted at the same time and the aim is to improve international transport connections.
The study examined the alternatives for implementing the Eastern Railway using the European track gauge and the impacts that these alternatives would have on the rail transport system, passenger and freight transport and technical feasibility. The study suggests that the European track gauge is a potential alternative, especially if it enables a direct connection to Rail Baltica via the Tallinn tunnel. This option would make the Finnish rail network part of the European rail transport network and promote future growth opportunities in Finland.
“The East Railway is strongly linked to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), and a reservation for the Tallinn tunnel is visible in the EU’s transport network. In this geopolitical situation, a connection to Europe and being part of the common rail network is a solution that would benefit all of Finland. Finland should examine transport connections comprehensively, create a rail transport vision and make strategic choices that support investments, vitality factors and safety throughout the country,” says Petteri Portaankorva, CEO of East Railway.

Challenges make further studies necessary
A decision to implement the East Railway with the European track gauge would require more detailed studies on, for example, the need for changes to existing tracks, the costs of these changes, and connections from the East Railway to the Airport Line and the Tallinn tunnel. Additional studies are also needed to clarify technical uncertainties related to the feasibility of several of the assessed alternatives. These include impacts on railway yards, passenger traffic platforms and increased number of turnout connections.
“At this stage of East Railway planning, the choice of track gauge is not the biggest question. It is more important to assess the impacts of linking Finland to the European rail network, bring competition to Finnish rail traffic and open up the market to new operators,” says Portaankorva.
The Finnish and European track gauges were not found to cause any significant cost differences affecting the design and construction of the new railway. The costs of changes to the track gauge of existing lines were estimated in the track gauge report published by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (2023).
Effects of the TEN-T Regulation
The planned East Railway was approved in July for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The TEN-T Regulation obliges Finland to, by summer 2026, assess the introduction of the European 1435-mm track gauge for new tracks and to submit a proposal listing existing lines already included in European transport corridors that could possibly be changed from the 1524-mm track gauge used in Finland to the European track gauge.
The East Railway study supplements the knowledge base that Finland uses to make decisions concerning track gauge. The impacts of track gauge throughout Finland were previously examined in depth by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (2023), and the ministry is currently launching a new study concerning the extension of the European track gauge connection from Haparanda to Finland and the possible need for new rail connections. The East Railway study was carried out by the consulting company WSP.
In addition to utilising high-speed rolling stock and enabling freight transport, track gauge has been identified as one of the most important strategic choices associated with planning of the East Railway. The choices made in planning will have a far-reaching impact on the development of international rail corridors as well as the Finnish railway network and rail transport market.