The class Sr1 can today be found mainly serving forest industries, and guiding the passenger trains through the forested country when class Sr2 is not available. Most of the time you can see these Russian originating locomotives in use anywhere outside Helsinki area, where they are more rare due to very little slower freight traffic there.

Sr1 was the first electric locomotive class to be used in Finland in early 1970's. After much debate these locomotives were bought from the east from the Novocherkassk locomotive factory. All units received upgrades to their electric controls before they could be taken in to use. Exotic at the time was that there was a fridge to keep the drivers drinks and food cold. Although under powered this device attracted much attention. Almost as much attention was paid to the then enormous looking capabilities of the new class Sr1 Wolves. A series of tests were the locomotive would haul over a kilometer long freight train were devised. As far as I remember most of the trains attracted people to see by the track consists of the empty 4 axle flat cars.

The Wolves started to evolve with periodical scheduled full maintenance overhauls by their owner VR. The first outside appearance change was painting both ends with bright yellow for better visibility, since it was supposedly a "quiet" electric locomotive. Now in retrospect can be said that even today with the upgraded blowers you can hear the wolves howling miles away before you can actually see them, but hopefully a few less hits to people, cars, elks and deer resulted from this yellow end painting action. Late 1980s was a period of VR searching for progress. The wolves got the new "Intercity style" red-black-white pain scheme and a few were even upgraded from 140 km/h to capable of hauling the passenger trains at 160 km/h. Initially you could tell the units from the short distance by looking at their wheels, which were all iron for the "fast ones", while most of the older units still had "spiked" wheels (like the old carts). However, the personnel running these 160 km/h units told they were scared because the locomotive handled so poorly on higher speeds. No more test locos were built and the ones that existed were finally converted back to 140 km/h with the advent of the class Sr2 of VR.

Since then the division of use between the Sr2 Guinea Pigs and the Sr1 Wolves has been clear. The Sr2s haul most of the higher speed heavy passenger trains and most all trains in the southwest, where the Sr1s handle most of the freight and occasional regional traffic coaches. In other areas the class Sr1 is still dominating due to lack of modern electric motive power for VR-Yhtymä. During the 2008-2009 recession with a surplus of locos it was obvious that if the Sr2 was available, the personnel chose to use those for any purpose. There is also one freight route exception in the South: The SR1 is unable to handle a train, or even run itself, in the humid conditions of the long Vuosaari harbor tunnel, so Sr2s need to be assigned there instead.

The maintenance for the SR1 is done today both in Hyvinkää VR locomotive works (the heavy periodical overhauls) and Kouvola locomotive works for the "lighter" maintenance. The age shows and the wolves are unable to feed the excess energy back to the 25kV networks unlike any more modern loco should. Painting green is then the only solution for turning the locomotive environmentally friendly.

The Sr1 Wolves will be phased out as a reserve power with the acquiring of new locos for the VR-Yhtymä. The new locomotive type will be unveiled soon.

Due to VR-Yhtyma extensive refurbishing program the class Sr1 locos have evolved through the years and are now in a much better shape than when they arrived to Finland as new. Almost all units are still in traffic after 4 decades of active work.


   4rail.net Sr1 "Wolves" Theme Page... 

Technical details for class Sr1 "Siberian Wolf"
-> Type: Sr1 (VL40 of Novocherkassk)
-> Operator: VR-Yhtyma
-> Usage: Medium multipurpose locomotive
-> Builder: Novocherkassk (2 last units put together in Finland from Soviet parts)
-> Production dates: 1973 to 1985, 199?, 1996
-> Numbers built: 112 , two unit added later to the roster from the spare parts
-> Numbers in use: ~110

-> Seen: Finland, none were built for the U.S.S.R. itself

-> Energy Source: 25 kV 50Hz overhead electric
-> Power output:
  -- momentary: 3280 kW (4460 Hp)
  -- continuous: 3100 kW
-> Transmission: electric DC, Bo'Bo'
-> Traction motors: Novocherkassk type
-> Tractive Effort: 220 kN at lower speeds
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): not available
-> Wheel arrangement: Bo'-Bo'
-> Wheel diameter: 1250 mm as new

-> Maximum operational speed where possible: 140 km/h (87 mph), some units were capable of 160 km/h (99mph) for a few years before the type Sr2 arrived, when those were converted back to 140 km/h.

-> Length: 19 m
-> Heigth:
-> Width:

-> Weight: 84 metric tons
-> Max axle weight: 21,5 metric tons

-> Notes:
  - Some units have received the new so called "Sallad livery" of VR-Yhtyma
  - Scrapped due to accident: 3048 and 3089
  - There are plans to retire the obsolete locomotive type with the new
     VR-Yhtyma class Sr3 starting year 2013

Recognition
-> Distinctive boxy Russian shape.
-> If the loco is running, you will hear it from a distance from its howling sound (this is why it is called the wolf).
-> Painted for VR-Yhtymä to either greenish tones or older Intercity like red-white-black scheme.
-> Can haul any kind of train from passenger IC2 to slowest freights.

The Sr2 class belongs to the locomotives developed at the Swiss LOK2000 program. The Swiss Re460/465 as well as the Norwegian/Swedish counterparts are almost identical in the looks and technology. These locomotives have been a great success story for their operator VR-Yhtyma. Additional bonus to their power is their capability sometimes to feed up to 50% of the energy back to network when braking on their motors (dynamic braking).

The fleet of 46 locomotives is currently being slowly painted to greenish tone, the earlier being the great red-white-gray scheme seen on the left and similar earlier "V"-look (instead of the letters VR) that the first 20 units originally wore.


   4rail.net Sr2 "Guinea Pigs" Special Theme Page...  

Technical details for Sr2 "Guinea Pig" " Marsu" "Möhkö"
-> Type: Sr2
-> Usage: medium to heavy multipurpose locomotive
-> Builders: several, originally built by SLM (Schweizerische Lokomotiv und Maschinenfabrik) of Switzerland, then ABB, Adtranz,
Bombardier and Transtech
-> Production dates: 1995 - 2003
-> Numbers built: 46
-> Numbers in use: 46

-> Users: VR-Yhtyma
-> Seen: Finland, sisters in Switzerland, Sweden and Norway

-> Energy Source: 25 kV 50Hz overhead electric
-> Power output:
-- momentarily: 6100 kW (8294 Hp)
-- continuous: 5000 kW (6705 Hp)
-> Traction motors: AC, one for each bogie
-> Tractive Effort: 280 kN (63'000 lbf), according to some sources 300 kN
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking):
-> Wheel arrangement: Bo'Bo'
-> Wheel diameter: 1100 mm

-> Maximum operational speed where possible: 210 km/h (130 mph)

-> Length: 18,7 m
-> Heigth: 4,3 m
-> Width: 3,0 m

-> Weight: 83 metric tons
-> Max. axle weight 21 tons

Recognition
-> Typical "Euro1990s" loco shape.
-> Single windshield
-> No windows for machine room
-> Aerodynamic shape
-> Mostly used for fast IC / IC2 services, but also for heaviest freights when Wolfs can't handle them.

  Unit 3221 on the left shows the newest greenish tone while unit 3214 little lower wore the old "V"-scheme still in 2004. Pictures by Stanislav Voronin and John McKey.

  Tough conditions are not an obstacle for this power horse designed in Switzerland. Here the unit 3222 is seen with an IC2 train in Riihimäki with a lot of flying snow. Picture by Peider SwissTrip.  

  Another winter picture the green painted Sr2 unit 3233 rounds a curve with an IC2 train in Espoo on its way to Turku, Finland. Picture by Hannu Peltola.  

Technical details for VL82 / VL82M
-> Type: VL82 / VL82M 
-> Builder: Novocherkassk 
-> Operators: RzD (the Russian Railways)
-> Usage: Heavy electric on the area where double electric voltage is needed (3000V DC + 25 kV 50 Hz)
-> Production dates: prototype in 1966, production from 1967-8,
      M series p:1972, production 1973-1979.  
-> Numbers built: 91  
-> Numbers in Use: unknown, but due to shortage of dual electric power the
      demand is high which would suggest most units still being in use.

-> Gauge: 1520 mm (5 ft)
-> Possibly seen in: Russia, Finland, Biela Russia, Ukraine

-> Energy Source: electric 3000V DC and 25kV 50Hz  
-> Power output: 2800/2540 kW (3806/3453 Hp),
      M: 3020/2880 kW (4106/3915 Hp)        
-> Traction motors: Novocherkassk NB-420A 4 x 700kW, M: NB407B 4 x 755kW 
-> Tractive Effort: 320 kN start / 200 kN at 50 km/h
-> Wheel arrangement:  Bo-Bo x 2
-> Wheel diameter: 1250 mm (typical on the eastern side)

-> Maximum operational speed:  110 km/h (68 mph) 

-> Length: 16,42m x 2    
-> Heigth:
-> Width:    

-> Weight: 96 / 100 metric tons  
-> Axle weight max: 25 tons

Recognition
-> Can only be seen close to Fenno-Russian border in Vainikkala and Vartius
-> Greenish Soviet period paint scheme
-> A typical orange safety stripe or two in the ends
-> Double unit

A truly rare piece of machinery, the modern bielectric loco "Vuoksa" is shown here at the trade fair in St Petersburg, Russia. This same loco was ordinarily part of the fleet for cross border traffic between Russia and Finland, but disappeared sometime in 2009 to the other parts of Russia, probably due to very severe shortage of the 3000V+25kV locomotives there. While Russia is trying to modernize, ramping up production seems to be hard even in the traditional Soviet areas like locomotive production. Now it is rumored to being used at night to bring and pick up the Moscow - Helsinki Tolstoy night train across the border.

We hope to see "Vuoksa" back on the Fenno-Russian border area where it is also much needed and where it was assigned earlier to replace ancient 2M62 and more 2M116 locomotives as well as the few Tep70 passenger diesels operating there now. Once the train "Repin" is getting a new life between St Petersburg, Russia and Lappeenranta, Finland, this locomotive might be able to take the train non stop the whole way (instead of 1 - 2 locomotive changes now) on it's route. This would very effectively cut down the journey times.

Technical details for EP10
-> Type: EP10 
-> Builder: Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant and Bombardier
-> Operators: RzD (the Russian Railways)
-> Usage: Heavy electric on the area where double electric voltage is needed (3000V DC + 25 kV 50 Hz)
-> Production dates: 2005 - 2006   
-> Numbers built: 12   
-> Numbers in Use: 12

-> Gauge: 1520 mm (5 ft)
-> Possibly seen in: Russia, Finland

-> Energy Source: electric 3000V DC and 25kV 50Hz  
-> Power output: 7200 kW (9655 Hp),
-> Traction motors: Novocherkassk  
-> Tractive Effort: kN start
-> Wheel arrangement:  Bo'Bo'Bo'
-> Wheel diameter: mm 

-> Maximum operational speed:  160 km/h (100 mph) 

-> Length: 22,53 m     
-> Heigth:
-> Width: 3,1 m    

-> Weight: 135 metric tons  
-> Axle weight max: tons

Recognition
-> Can only be seen in Vainikkala, at the Fenno-Russian border
-> The only Bo'Bo'Bo' electric around
-> Most of the units have individual paint schemes, which makes recognizing a little harder
-> Boxy (modern Russian) appearance
-> Machine room does not have windows
-> Corrugated side panels
-> "Swedish style" the cab door is only on the right side of the drivers quarters

VR-Yhtyma is in a process of replacing the technologically obsolete and worn out Sr1 wolves with around 100 new electric locomotives. The tenders for these are now out and the winner or winners will be announced still in 2012. Two strongest candidates for the delivery are the international giants Bombardier and Siemens, but of course a black horse might appear too. So far VR-Yhtyma has been in serious talks about the delivery with the two. Both have several product lines to offer, most likely candidate from Bombardier being Traxx-platform and from Siemens their new Vectron product line. The Vectron derives from the famous Eurosprinter solutions. But as always, the locomotive might come outside these manufacturers, if the price is not right. On 1520 mm / 5' domain there are a dozen other players, even Chinese have now raised their interest in this sector with their debut locomotives arriving for example to Estonia in 2012.

Technical details for Sr3
-> Class: Sr3
-> Type:
-> Manufacturer:
-> Owner: VR-Yhtymä / Ratarahti / Proxion


   Left the Deutsche Bahn class 185 TRAXX locomotive number 244 is hauling an intermodal train with speed past Weil am Rhein, at the German-Swiss border. Picture by Ilkka Siissalo.

Traxx-platform was a strong candidate when motive power for the Finnish far north ore train locomotives were considered. It was later decided that the ore will be carried by trucks to the Kiruna track at Pitkäjärvi, trans loaded to train and hauled to Narvik, a harbor which is kept open year round by the Atlantic gulf stream. All the Baltic sea ports in Finland and Sweden freeze in the winter and ice braking would had cost too much for transporting ore.

  Left the Metronom class 146 TRAXX locomotive number 10 is ready to start a heavy regional train at Hamburg Altoona, northern Germany. The TRAXX locos have proved their worth in icy conditions as the ones in Sweden prove. Picture by Ilkka Siissalo.

  TRAXX Locomotives Page...

  The class 189, just out of production, is the predecessor of the new Vectron platform. Eurosprinter ES64F4 is here waiting for trainorders at Duisburg, Germany. Picture by Ilkka Siissalo.

  Eurosprinter Locomotives Page...

  State of the art Vectron demonstrator of Siemens Mobility is seen here near Innotrans fair in 2010.

  Vectron Locomotives Page...