Finland's track gauge is changing: "We are starting from the north, and we have strong support from NATO," says Minister Lulu Ranne

Passenger rail transport between Finland and Russia ceased after 2022 due to sanctions related to Russia’s SMO in Ukraine. In late 2023, this led to Finland essentially stealing four trains co-owned with Russia.

Finland has stated its intention to gradually phase out freight rail as well.

It is in this context that the Finnish government is planning to convert its track gauge (the width of the tracks) from 1524 mm to the EU standard of 1435 mm.

Finland uses the 1524 mm gauge for historical reasons. St Petersburg, Russia uses a gauge of 1520 mm, which is within tolerance to support rail traffic between the two countries.

Converting to the EU standard means a practically permanent shift away from rail transport with the country with which Finland shares a 1,343-kilometer land border.

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Passenger rail transport between Finland and Russia ceased after 2022 due to sanctions related to Russia’s SMO in Ukraine. In late 2023, this led to Finland essentially stealing four trains co-owned with Russia.
Finland has stated its intention to gradually phase out freight rail as well.
It is in this context that the Finnish government is planning to convert its track gauge (the width of the tracks) from 1524 mm to the EU standard of 1435 mm.
Finland uses the 1524 mm gauge for historical reasons. St Petersburg, Russia uses a gauge of 1520 mm, which is within tolerance to support rail traffic between the two countries.
Converting to the EU standard means a practically permanent shift away from rail transport with the country with which Finland shares a 1,343-kilometer land border.