FINLAND: State-owned rolling stock management company RailStock Finland has ordered a further 21 Stadler Flirt Sm7 electric multiple-units for use on subsidised commuter services.
Contract transfer
The firm order announced on October 30 has been placed using an option on a contract which was originally signed by national operator VR in November 2022. This included a €250m firm order for 20 units for use in Helsinki, with options for up to 50 more for use in the capital and potentially elsewhere.
This contract was subsequently transferred to RailStock Finland (at the time known as Suomen Ostoliikennekalusto) in March 2026, when it purchased the rolling stock that VR uses on services operated under contract.
This asset transfer deal was designed to facilitate the opening of the Finnish rail market by enabling potential new entrants to easily access 1 524 mm gauge rolling stock.
‘Our goal is to enable competition-neutral and sustainable publicly supported passenger rail services in Finland by providing reliable, high quality rolling stock for use by all operators across the country’, said Joakim Mette, CEO of RailStock Finland, when the latest order was announced. ‘New rolling stock investments will ensure the conditions for maintaining and developing publicly subsidised passenger rail services in Finland in the coming decades.’
Developed for Finnish conditions
The four-car 160 km/h low-floor Sm7 EMUs with lightweight aluminium bodies were developed by Stadler to meet the requirements of commuter services and the harsh climate.
They have 340 seats and can accommodate up to 700 passengers in total, with features including large snow ploughs, heated floors and enhanced thermal insulation.
The latest vehicles will be designed and manufactured in compliance with Cyber Resilience Act regulations coming into force in December 2027.
‘Extreme cold, snow and significant temperature fluctuations place high demands on rail vehicles’, said Michael Schwarz, Sales Director Nordic Countries at Stadler. ‘These trains are well prepared to meet the specific requirements of the Finnish climate and ensure reliable operations throughout the year.’
Delivery schedule
Manufacturing of the initial batch of EMUs is underway at Stadler’s Siedlce plant in Poland. The first EMU arrived in Finland in May 2025, and so far four units have been delivered with a further five are scheduled for acceptance in 2026.
Completion of the base order is scheduled for the end of 2027, and all 41 units now ordered are expected to be in service in 2030. The option to order a further 29 units remains available until 2036.
Source: rg
