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{{Short description|State-owned railway company in Finland}}
{{about|the Finnish company|the New Zealand-based hotel chain of the same name |Hanmer Springs#Other tourism}}
{{redirect|Finland's railways|the railway network in Finland|Rail transport in Finland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox rail
| railroad_name = VR Group
| logo_filename     = VR logo green.svg
| logo_size         =
| system_map        = Finnish railroad network-en.svg
| map_caption       = The Finnish railway network in 2010.<ref>Lines are marked in green for freight and passenger routes, brown for freight routes and grey for routes no longer in use.</ref>
| map_size          = 200px
| marks             =
| image             = Green Finnish Pendolino.JPG
| image_size        = 200px
| image_caption     = An Sm3 class Pendolino train.
| locale            = {{plainlist|
* [[Finland]]
* [[Sweden]]
}}
| start_year        = 1862
| headquarters      = [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]
| website           = {{URL|https://vr.fi}}
| embedded          =
{{Infobox company
| embed = yes
| native_name = {{Lang|fi|VR-Yhtymä Oyj}}/{{lang|sv|VR-Group Abp}}
| former_name = ''{{lang|fi|Suomen Valtion Rautatiet}}<br>{{lang|fi|Valtionrautatiet}}''
| type = public ({{Lang|fi|[[julkinen osakeyhtiö]]}})
| key_people = Elisa Markula ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income = €152 million
| owner = [[Government of Finland]]
| num_employees = 7,500
| num_employees_year = 2016
| parent =
| subsid = |
| slogan =
| foot_notes =
}}
}}
'''VR-Group Plc''' ({{langx|fi|VR-Yhtymä Oyj}}, {{langx|sv|VR-Group Abp}}),<ref name="bis_vr">{{cite web |title=VR-Yhtymä Oyj |url=https://tietopalvelu.ytj.fi/yritystiedot.aspx?yavain=831379&tarkiste=17AB0395379DD673FE1EC9891C5B415065617956 |website=Business Information System |publisher=Finnish Patent and Registration Office, Finnish Tax Administration |access-date=24 May 2022 |location=Helsinki}}</ref> commonly known as '''VR''', is a government-owned railway company in [[Finland]]. VR's most important function is the operation of Finland's passenger rail services with 250 long-distance and 800 commuter rail services every day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vrgroup.fi/en/vrgroup/vr-group/business-operations/passenger-services/|title=Passenger services|publisher=VR Group|access-date=2018-06-25}}</ref> With 7,500 employees and net sales of €1,251 million in 2017, VR is one of the most significant operators in the Finnish public transport market area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vrgroup.fi/en/vrgroup/vr-group/|title=VR Group as a company|publisher=VR Group|access-date=2018-06-25}}</ref>
VR was created in 1995 after being known as {{langx|sv|Finska Statsjärnvägarna}}, [[Finnish language|Finnish:]] Suomen Valtion Rautatiet (Finnish State Railways) from 1862 to 1922, and ''Valtionrautatiet'' ('State Railways', {{langx|sv|Statsjärnvägarna}}) from 1922 to 1995.
As part of the concern, Avecra is a subsidiary for onboard catering service, [[Pohjolan Liikenne]] for bus traffic, VR Track for developing and maintaining of infrastructure and VR Transpoint for freight. Since 2017, its headquarters is located at the {{ill|Iso Paja|fi}} building, previously occupied by the state-owned broadcasting company [[Yle]], in northern-central [[Helsinki]].
==History==
{{main|History of rail transport in Finland}}
Rail transport started in Finland in 1862 between Helsinki and Hämeenlinna, and multiple main lines and smaller private railways were built in the following decades. VR mainly operated on the high-demand main lines. During the twentieth century, most private railway companies were shut down and VR assumed a monopoly in rail transport. In 1995 the company went through a process of [[corporatization]] to become the VR Group.
Since 2010, the maintenance and the construction of the railway network have been the responsibility of the [[Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency]] ({{langx|fi|Väylävirasto}}). The operation and network were originally carried out by the parent company ''Valtionrautatiet'' until 1995, when it was split into VR and the rail administration entity [[Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency#Railway network|Ratahallintokeskus]].
==Organization==
Companies in the group provide road freight and bus services, catering and real estate management, and provide data, technological, and telecommunications services for the transport and logistics sectors. The group owns a bus company, [[Pohjolan Liikenne]], and a road freight haulage company VR Transpoint.
Altogether the group includes 21 companies employing a total of about 14,400 people.
==Services==
{{main|Rail transport in Finland}}
Because in most parts of Finland the density of population is low, Finland is not optimally suited for railways. Commuter services are nowadays rare outside the [[Helsinki]] area, but express trains interconnect most cities. As in [[France]], the majority of passenger services are connections to the capital, Helsinki. In the 2010s, VR has made connections faster by reducing stops at minor stations and increasing running speeds with new locomotives and renovated high-speed trains.
[[File:Car loaded on Finnish car transport train.jpg|thumb|right|For motorail services, passengers drive their cars on board the car transport wagons themselves, and then leave the aforementioned wagon on foot to board a passenger wagon.]]
[[File:Waiting for car unloading at Kolari railway station.jpg|thumb|right|People waiting to unload their cars off the train at [[Kolari railway station]].]]
VR provides [[motorail]] services. Cars can be loaded onto and unloaded from trains at seven stations: [[Helsinki Central Station|Helsinki]], [[Turku Central Station|Turku]] and [[Tampere Central Station|Tampere]] in the south, [[Oulu railway station|Oulu]] further north, and [[Rovaniemi railway station|Rovaniemi]], [[Kemijärvi railway station|Kemijärvi]] and [[Kolari railway station|Kolari]] in [[Lapland (Finland)|Lapland]]. Car transport trains stop at other stations along the way for normal passenger transport and is available as daily service to Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi and several times a week to Kolari. Finland is the only Nordic country to offer car transport on trains; however, car transport on trains is available in many European countries outside the Nordic countries.<ref>[http://www.sj.se/sj/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=11316&a=362&l=sv SJ.se - ett Bra Miljöval - Bra att veta], Swedish Railways (SJ.se). Accessed 29 November 2012.</ref> In August 2021 VR began operating the [[Tampere light rail]].<ref>[https://www.metro-report.com/news/news-by-region/europe/single-view/view/vr-group-to-operate-tampere-tramway.html VR Group to operate Tampere tramway] ''[[Metro Report International]]'' 29 April 2019</ref>
In March 2022, VR acquired the Swedish bus and rail company Arriva Sverige, which operates urban transport in [[Stockholm]] and regional transport in southern and southeastern Sweden. Arriva Sverige was part of [[Arriva]] and owned by [[Deutsche Bahn]]. Following the acquisition, it was announced that Arriva Sverige would become an independent company within the VR Group.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=VR Group acquires Arriva Sverige to expand operations to Sweden |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/03/vr-group-acquires-arriva-sverige-to-expand-operations-to-sweden.html |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=RailAdvent |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===Commuter rail===
{{main|Helsinki commuter rail}}
VR operates the commuter traffic in the Helsinki area on behalf of [[Helsinki Regional Transport Authority|HSL]] and [[VR commuter rail|its own commuter rail services]] in southern [[Finland]].
===International services===
[[File:Torne River railway bridge 20140503.JPG|thumb|left|Railway bridge connecting the Finnish Tornio with Swedish Haparanda.]]
There are plans to open a new passenger rail service between Finland and [[Sweden]] in the end of 2024, between [[Haparanda]] in northern Sweden and [[Helsinki]].<ref>[https://www.vagabond.se/europa/snart-kan-du-ta-taget-till-helsingfors Snart kan du ta tåget till Helsingfors]</ref> The cross-border railway will be electrified according to Finnish standards by then.
Before the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], VR operated jointly with [[Russian Railways]] a passenger rail service named [[Allegro (train)|Allegro]] between Helsinki and [[Saint Petersburg]]. However due to [[International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|sanctions imposed on Russia]] as a result of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], all passenger rail traffic between Finland and Russia has been suspended in March 2022, and the rolling stock has since been parked. These trains were in late 2023 taken over by VR, and are planned to be used in domestic traffic in Finland beginning 2025.<ref>[https://svenska.yle.fi/a/7-10047371 Allegrotågen tas i bruk för inrikestrafik år 2025 – har stått stilla en längre tid]</ref>
If and when the proposed [[Helsinki–Tallinn Tunnel]] is built, trains may be run by VR, [[Elron (rail transit)|Elron]] or a joint-venture similar to the former arrangement with Russia.
===Freight===
Domestic and international freight services are provided by VR Transpoint, a part of VR. In 2009, both domestic and international freight traffic declined, which worsened VR's financial position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.x-rail.org/render.asp?o=7306|access-date=9 November 2010|title=VR restructuring for growth | publisher=X-Rail.net}}</ref> International freight traffic was concentrated to the four railways across the Russian border but there is also a connection to the [[Sweden|Swedish]] rail network through [[Tornio]]. [[Train ferry]] connections from [[Turku]] to [[Stockholm]], Sweden, and to [[Travemünde]], Germany have previously existed.
{{Clear}}
==Rolling stock==
[[File:I11 596 Bf Turku, Sr2 3203.jpg|thumb|right|[[VR Class Sr2]] electric locomotive at [[Turku Central Station]].]]
[[File:Vr sr3 3304 3307 3306.jpg|thumb|Three [[VR Class Sr3]] locomotives between [[Hämeenlinna railway station|Hämeenlinna]] and [[Parola railway station|Parola]] stations.]]
[[File:H782 at Varkaus 2011-03-28.jpg|thumb|right|A modernised and recoloured [[VR Class Dv12|diesel locomotive]] pulls a regional train to [[Varkaus]] railway station in 2011.]]
=== Locomotives ===
{{main|List of Finnish locomotives}}
VR operated [[steam locomotive]]s until 1975. Although the regular use of steam traction for scheduled passenger services ended in 1970, occasional use continued until 1975. As of 2011, the company operates two classes of [[electric locomotive]]s ([[VR Class Sr1|Sr1]] and [[VR Class Sr2|Sr2]]) and three classes of [[diesel locomotive]]s ([[VR Class Dv12|Dv12]], [[VR Class Dr14|Dr14]] and [[VR Class Dr16|Dr16]]). The use of diesel locomotive hauled passenger trains has declined due to electrification of all main lines and the (re)introduction of railbuses ([[VR Class Dm12|Dm12]]) on secondary routes.
In October 2010, VR announced plans to renew its locomotive fleet by ordering around 200 new locomotives, which are expected to enter service in 2015–25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/fleet-renewal-discussions.html
|access-date=2010-10-30
|date=28 October 2010
|title=VR plans locomotive fleet renewal
|publisher=[[Railway Gazette International]]}}</ref>
On 20 December 2013, VR announced plans to purchase 80 new electric locomotives, with 97 options. The upcoming [[VR Class Sr3|Sr3]] will be based on the [[Vectron (locomotive)|Vectron]] and will replace the aging Sr1. The locomotives will be fitted with helper diesel engines that can be used for shunting in partly unelectrified railyards. Deliveries will occur between 2017 and 2026.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vrgroup.fi/fi/vakiolinkit/VR-konsernitiedottaa/news_20131220114054.html | title = VR Group tilaa uudet sähköveturit Siemensiltä | date = 20 December 2013 | access-date = 22 December 2013 | publisher = VR Group | language = fi }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://yle.fi/uutiset/sahkokatko_ei_pysayta_vrn_uusia_sahkovetureita__apumoottoreina_dieselkoneet/6997094 | title = Sähkökatko ei pysäytä VR:n uusia sähkövetureita – apumoottoreina dieselkoneet | first = Jarmo | last = Koponen | date = 20 December 2013 | access-date = 22 December 2013 | work = [[Yle]] | language = fi }}</ref>
==== Locomotive classification system ====
[[File:VR steam loco.JPG|thumb|right|Preserved Vr2 class steam locomotive at [[Joensuu railway station]].]]
At the beginning of traffic, locomotives were distinguished by their names, and by 1865 also by their numbers.{{sfn|Alameri|1979|p=31}} In 1887, the locomotives were given their original classification system. It was based on the wheel arrangement of the locomotives: each wheel arrangement was assigned a letter of the alphabet, which was followed by a serial number.{{sfn|Alameri|1979|pp=31–32}} The assignment of letters to different wheel arrangements was made when the first locomotive using it was brought into service; the letter A signified a 4-4-0 wheelbase in the [[Whyte notation]], B signified a 0-4-2ST locomotive, C a 0-6-0 locomotive, and so on.<ref name="resiina-ukk">{{cite web | title = Rautatie-UKK | url = http://www.resiinalehti.fi/artikkeli/6 | publisher = Resiina | at = Section 2.1.23 | language = fi | access-date = 27 April 2011 }}</ref>
On 8 October 1942, the notation system was changed to two letters and a serial number. The first letter in the designation now signified the types of trains the locomotive was generally planned to haul:{{sfn|Alameri|1979|p=32}}
* '''H''' ({{lang|fi|henkilöjuna}}) for [[passenger train]]s,
* '''P''' ({{lang|fi|paikallisjuna}}) for [[commuter rail|local (commuter) trains]],
* '''T''' ({{lang|fi|tavarajuna}}) for [[freight train]]s,
* '''S''' ({{lang|fi|sekajuna}}) for mixed freight-passenger trains and
* '''V''' (''vaihto'', literally "switch") for a [[switcher locomotive]].
The second small letter indicated the weight of the locomotive:{{sfn|Alameri|1979|p=32}}
* r (raskas) = heavy (axle load over 14.1 t)
* v (väliraskas) = midweight (axle load 11.1–14.0 t)
* k (kevyt) = light (axle load under 11.0 t)
* m = mechanical transmission (in multiple units)
* s (sähkö 'electric(ity)') = electrical transmission (in multiple units).
When diesel locomotives were taken into service in the 1950s, they were additionally differentiated by the steam locomotive classes by beginning their numbering from 11 instead of the next free number in running order. As a result, the last steam-powered heavy passenger locomotive class was designated Hr3, and its first diesel-powered counterpart Hr11.<ref name="resiina-ukk" />
The current VR locomotive classification system was taken into use on 1 January 1976. The first (capital) letter was now used to differentiate between locomotive types: '''S''' ({{lang|fi|sähkö}}) for electric, '''D''' for diesel and '''T''' ({{lang|fi|työkone}}) for maintenance equipment. The serial numbers of diesel locomotive classes were not changed, the Hr11 class becoming Dr11. In addition to this the borderline between midweight and heavy locomotives was changed to 15.1 tons and the second letter in multiple units is always m (for {{lang|fi|moottorivaunu}}).<ref name="resiina-ukk" />
{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Locomotive types in use by the VR'''
! Class || No. in use || Years of manufacture || Max. speed || Power type || Notes
|-
| '''[[VR Class Sr1|Sr1]]''' ||align="Center" | 109 ||align="Center" | 1973–85 (1996) || 140 km/h || Electric || Some originally had a maximum speed of 160 km/h
|-
| '''[[VR Class Sr2|Sr2]]''' ||align="Center" | 46 ||align="Center" | 1995–2003 || 210 km/h || Electric
|-
| '''[[VR Class Sr3|Sr3]]''' ||align="Center" | 42 || align="Center" | 2016– || 200 km/h || Electric
|-
| '''[[VR Class Dv12|Dv12]]''' ||align="Center" | 180 ||align="Center" | 1963–84 || 125 km/h || Diesel-hydraulic || Pre-1976 classes: Sv12 and Sr12
|-
| '''[[VR Class Dr14|Dr14]]''' ||align="Center" | 24 ||align="Center" | 1968–71 || 75 km/h || Diesel-hydraulic || Pre-1976 class: Vr12
|-
| '''[[VR Class Dr16|Dr16]]''' ||align="Center" | 18 ||align="Center" | 1985–92 || 140 km/h || Diesel-electric || 3-phase AC inverter drive
|-
| '''[[VR Class Dr19|Dr19]]''' ||align="Center" | 60 (on order)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jäärni |first=Clarissa |date=2022-02-09 |title=Täysin Suomen oloihin tehty dieselveturi saatiin testiin Tampereelle – tällainen on nappeja myöten kuljettajien kanssa suunniteltu investointi |url=https://yle.fi/a/3-12309655 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi}}</ref> ||align="Center" | 2022–26 ||  || ||
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Notable locomotive types formerly used by VR'''
! Class || No. built || Years in use || Wheel arrangement || Max. speed || Power type || Notes
|-
| '''[[VR Class Tv1|Tv1]]''' (K3) ||align="Center" | 148 ||align="Center" | 1917–74 ||align="Center" | [[2-8-0]] || 60 km/h || Steam || 142 locomotives were built for the VR and 6 for the [[Latvian Railways]].
|-
| '''[[VR Class Tk3|Tk3]]''' (K5) ||align="Center" | 161 ||align="Center" | 1927–75 ||align="Center" | [[2-8-0]] || 60 km/h || Steam || Most numerous steam locomotive class in Finland.
|-
| '''[[VR Class Hr1|Hr1]]''' (P1) ||align="Center" | 22 ||align="Center" | 1937–74 ||align="Center" | [[4-6-2]] || 110 km/h || Steam || Last Pacific-type locomotives in everyday use in [[Europe]] outside the [[Eastern Bloc]].<ref>{{cite journal | first1 = Kari |last1 = Salo | title = Hr1 - The Finnish Pacific <!-- a translated title? what is the original? --> | journal = Resiina | publisher= Museorautatieyhdistys ry, Suomen Rautatiehistoriallinen Seura ry | number = 2 | year = 1987}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[VR Class Tr1|Tr1]]''' (R1) ||align="Center" | 67 ||align="Center" | 1940–75 ||align="Center" | [[2-8-2]] || 80 km/h || Steam
|-
| '''[[VR Class Dr12|Dr12]]''' (Hr12) ||align="Center" | 42 ||align="Center" | 1959–90 ||align="Center" | [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]] || 120 km/h || Diesel
|-
| '''[[VR Class Dr13|Dr13]]''' (Hr13) ||align="Center" | 54 ||align="Center" | 1963–2000 ||align="Center" | [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]] || 140 km/h || Diesel
|}
===Carriages===
[[File:VR Edo 28603 Pasila 2013-08-12.JPG|thumb|right|Class Edo [[Control car (rail)|control car]]s are used on select routes (here seen at [[Pasila railway station]]).]]
[[File:InterCity2 - passenger car interior.jpg|thumb|right|Interior view of the top deck of a VR InterCity2 double-deck carriage.]]
The wide Finnish loading gauge allows the passenger coaches to be considerably wider than most European passenger coaches. The aisle and seats are wider than in other European trains in the standard 2+2 configuration, and in commuter traffic 3+2 seat configuration is used to allow more seats for the same train length. The last wooden-bodied carriages were withdrawn by the mid-1980s. Prior to the 1970s these had been the mainstay of VR's passenger rolling stock.
VR has three types of locomotive hauled passenger coaches:
* Double-deck InterCity carriages are the common coaches in the long-distance trains and the mainstay of VR's network. There are several variants, including coaches with first class service, family-friendly coaches and coaches with bike as baggage capability. The coaches are built in Finland by [[Transtech Oy]] and they VR's most modern carriages. More coaches has been ordered to replace the last blue carriages and to increase capacity on the most popular routes. Their top speed is 200 km/h.
* Single-deck [[InterCity in Finland|InterCity]] carriages are used to increase capacity whenever double-deck coaches are not available. Top speed is 200 km/h.
*[[VR blue carriages|"Blue" carriages]], as they are popularly known as such due to their blue and light gray liveries, are used on night express trains from Helsinki to Kolari and Kemijärvi. Top speed is 140 or 160 km/h.
In addition to these, VR has ordered 12+13 Class Edo [[control car]]s from Transtech, eight of which have been in regular passenger traffic since 29 October 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vrgroup.fi/fi/vakiolinkit/VR-konsernitiedottaa/news_20131029110257.html | title = Uudet ohjausvaunut aloittaneet matkustajaliikenteessä | date = 29 October 2013 | access-date = 22 December 2013 | publisher = VR Group | language = fi }}</ref> The cars are used in InterCity connections with the Sr2 and the upcoming Sr3 locomotives pushing the train.
First class, or ''Extra'' as VR calls it, is marked with Extra signs outside of the coaches on InterCity trains. Even restaurant coaches are marked similarly.
On the "Blue" carriages, first class used to be distinguished by a yellow stripe above the windows and [[dining car|restaurant cars]] by a red stripe. Cars equipped with diesel generators, which are used to provide electricity to InterCity or sleeper wagons on non-electrified tracks, can be distinguished by a blue stripe above the windows.
====Sleeper cars====
[[File:Train stop at Tampere.jpg|thumb|right|Sleeper trains between Helsinki and Lapland usually stop at [[Tampere]] for about half an hour around midnight, giving adventurous passengers time to briefly visit the city.]]
VR operates [[sleeping car|sleeper]] services between Helsinki/Turku and [[Lapland (Finland)|Lapland]], which also include car-carrying ([[motorail]]) wagons. Double-deck sleeping carriages (including rooms with ''en suite'' showers and toilets) were introduced on the Helsinki–[[Rovaniemi]] service in the 2000s. These wagons are painted in a green-and-white livery similar to the InterCity coaches. Since 2016, the new coaches have begun to replace the blue carriages even on the way to Kolari.
Electrification extends from [[Oulu]] northwards to Kemijärvi.<ref>{{cite web|title=Electrification of the railway between Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi|url=http://portal.liikennevirasto.fi/sivu/www/e/projects/under_construction/rovaniemikemijarvi|publisher=Finnish Transport Agency|access-date=6 January 2013}}</ref> In 2006, direct sleeper services were discontinued beyond Rovaniemi (to [[Kemijärvi]]) because the new double-deck sleeping carriages were unable to operate with diesel haulage. The sleeper service to Kemijärvi was restarted in March 2008, by adding to the train in Rovaniemi a new diesel generator car supplying 1&thinsp;500 V electricity for the sleeper cars between Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi; this setup was continued in use until the electrification extension to Kemijärvi was completed at the end of 2013. Sleeper services between Turku and Joensuu and Helsinki and Kajaani were withdrawn in 2006, but with the new direct line between [[Lahti]] and [[Kerava]], the daytime services were made quicker.
On 12 January 2009, VR announced they had requested tenders for the purchase of 20 new sleeping cars, valued at €60–70 million. The two bidders interested were Alstom, which manufactures the Pendolino and some commuter trains for VR, and Finnish Transtech, which manufactured VR's new sleeping cars. The decision led to the resignation of the President and CEO of VR-Group, Henri Kuitunen, and the group's Chairman of the Board, Antti Lagerroos. Helsingin Sanomat reported they had wanted to defer the replacement of older sleeping car rolling stock until 2012 at the earliest. However, the decision went ahead because VR is a state owned business and there was pressure to seek orders from Finnish Transtech, which is currently struggling due to market downturns, in order to secure jobs.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Transtech+and+Alstom+interested+in+construction+of+rail+carriages+for+Finnish+Railways/1135242670135| title=Transtech and Alstom interested in construction of rail carriages for Finnish Railways | work=Helsingin Sanomat| date= 12 January 2009}}</ref>
===Freight wagons===
The Finnish loading gauge allows the operation of freight vehicles considerably larger than most other railways in the European Union. Road trailers (often of VR's subsidiary Transpoint) can be easily accommodated on ordinary flat wagons. Much of the freight on the VR network is carried from Russia in Russian wagons, including large capacity eight-axle oil tank wagons.
VR also has a one-third ownership of [[SeaRail]], a specialist operator of freight wagons designed for through running (via ferry) to Sweden and elsewhere in Western Europe.
===Multiple units===
[[File:VR Sm4 6422 Helsinki.JPG|thumb|right|VR class Sm4 EMU at [[Helsinki railway station]].]]
[[File:Sm5 Riihimäki.JPG|thumb|right|JKOY class Sm5 local train at [[Riihimäki railway station|Riihimäki]].]]
[[File:Urho Kekkosen vapaalippu Suomen rataverkolle.jpg|thumb|right|Finland's eighth president [[Urho Kekkonen]]'s free VR ticket for the Finnish railway network from the 1980s]]
The [[VR Class Sm3|Sm3 class Pendolino]] is the VR's "flagship", mainly connecting largest cities to the capital with top running speed up to 220 km/h. Other [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]] in use are the [[VR Class Sm2|Sm2]] and [[VR Class Sm4|Sm4]] on [[VR commuter rail|commuter rail services]]. In addition, VR operates Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto Oy -owned [[JKOY Class Sm5|Sm5]] class EMUs in [[Helsinki commuter rail|Helsinki local traffic]].
VR currently operates one class of diesel-powered multiple units: the [[Czech Republic|Czech]]-built single carriage [[VR Class Dm12|Dm12]], which is used mainly on secondary lines.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Multiple units in use by the VR
! Class || No. in use || Years of manufacture || Max. speed || Notes
|-
| '''[[VR Class Sm2|Sm2]]''' ||align="Center" | 50 ||align="Center" | 1975–81 || 120 km/h || EMU consists of an Sm2 car and an Eioc class car
|-
| '''[[VR Class Sm3|Sm3]]''' ||align="Center" | 18 sets ||align="Center" | 1992–2006 || 220 km/h || Tilting high-speed [[Pendolino]] train. Runs on domestic routes.
|-
| '''[[VR Class Sm4|Sm4]]''' ||align="Center" | 60 (30 sets) ||align="Center" | 1998–2005 || 160 km/h || EMU consists of two Sm4 units
|-
| '''[[JKOY Class Sm5|Sm5]]''' ||align="Center" |81|| align="Center" |2008–2017
| 160 km/h || EMU consists of one four-section Sm5 unit. Sm5 units are owned by [[Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto Oy]] and are operated by VR on [[Helsinki Commuter Rail]] services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://raitio.org/news/uutis08/sm5.pdf |title=Electric low-floor multiple unit FLIRT: Sm5 trains for Junakalusto Oy, Finland |access-date=12 November 2008 |publisher=Stadler Rail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727200636/http://raitio.org/news/uutis08/sm5.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[VR Class Dm12|Dm12]]''' ||align="Center" | 16 ||align="Center" | 2004–06 || 120 km/h || Single carriage diesel units
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Former multiple units used by the VR
! Class || Total count || Years of manufacture || Withdrawn from service || Max. speed || Notes
|-
| '''[[VR Class Sm1|Sm1]]''' ||align="Center" | 50 ||align="Center" | 1968–73 || 2016 || 120 km/h || EMU consists of an Sm1 car and an Eio class car
|-
| '''[[VR Class Sm6|Sm6]]''' ||align="Center" | 4 ||align="Center" | 2010–11 || 2022 || 220 km/h || Former [[Allegro (train)|''Allegro'']] train, a tilting high-speed [[Pendolino]] train. To be re-introduced into long-distance service in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-14 |title=Allegro trains to be deployed in VR's domestic long-distance traffic from 2025 |url=https://www.vrgroup.fi/en/vrgroup/news/allegro-trains-to-be-deployed-in-vr-s-domestic-long-distance-traffic-from-2025-141220230921/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=VR Group |language=en}}</ref>
|}
{{Incomplete table|date=January 2024}}
====Multiple unit classification system====
The multiple unit classification system follows a similar logic as the locomotive classification system: the first letter signifies the power source (in addition to electric and diesel, gasoline ('''B''', ''bensiini'') and wood gas ('''P''', ''puukaasu'') have been used), followed by the letter '''m''' (''moottorivaunu'') signifyng a multiple unit, followed by a serial number.
== Operations in Sweden ==
In July 2022, VR Group established operations in [[Sweden]] by acquiring [[Arriva|Arriva Sverige AB]] from the German state-owned company [[Deutsche Bahn]]. As part of this acquisition, which was finalised on 1st July 2022, VR Group gained control over extensive local and regional public transportation operations, including bus, tram and train services in [[Stockholm County|Stockholm]], [[Östergötland County|Östergötland]], and [[Skåne County|Skåne]], including [[Skånetrafiken|Skånetrafiken's]] [[Pågatågen|Pågatåg]]. This acquisition brought approximately 2,300<ref>{{Cite web |title=Om VR Sverige |url=https://www.vrsverige.com/om-vr-sverige/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=VR Sverige |language=sv-SE}}</ref> employees into the VR Group. The acquired operations include 740 buses, 180 trains, and 70 trams, facilitating around 58 million bus journeys and 54 million train journeys annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VR Group to expand operations in Sweden with Arriva Sverige acquisition |url=https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-news/134486/vr-group-aquisition-arriva-sverige/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Intelligent Transport |language=en}}</ref>
Following the acquisition, Arriva Sverige was rebranded as '''VR Sverige''' and operates under the VR Group brand. Since 2022, VR has grown in Sweden with contracts that include train services in regions like [[Bergslagen]] and [[Gävleborg County|Gävleborg]]. VR Sverige also secured a 10-year contract to operate bus services for [[Storstockholms Lokaltrafik|SL]] in [[Tyresö Municipality|Tyresö, Stockholm]], beginning in July 2025. This contract is valued at approximately €215 million and involves around 190 employees.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-02 |title=VR fortsätter expandera i Sverige – tar över busslinjer i Stockholm |url=https://www.hbl.fi/2024-05-02/vr-fortsatter-expandera-i-sverige-tar-over-busslinjer-i-stockholm/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Hufvudstadsbladet |language=sv}}</ref>
In addition to the purchase of Arriva Sweden, VR Group has also strengthened its presence in the Swedish rail market through the acquisition of [[VR Sverige|MTRX]], a high-speed train operator on the Stockholm-Gothenburg route. Acquired in 2024, MTRX was rebranded as [[VR Sverige|VR Snabbtåg Sverige]] and became part of VR Group’s long-distance operations. The MTRX acquisition included six [[Stadler FLIRT|Stadler Flirt]] X74 EMUs, which operate over 120 weekly services on the route.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-30 |title=VR Group concludes its acquisition in Sweden – MTRX becomes VR |url=https://www.vrgroup.fi/en/vrgroup/news/vr-group-concludes-its-acquisition-in-sweden-mtrx-becomes-vr/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=VR Group |language=en}}</ref><gallery>
File:VR X74 2.jpg|A VR X74 train at [[Stockholm Central Station]]
File:Pågatåg Triangeln Malmö.jpg|A [[Pågatågen|Pågatåg]] train Malmö operated by VR Sverige
File:VR, Tolvanloppet, 20240525 - 11.jpg|VR Support vehicle for the [[Tvärbanan]]
</gallery>
==Livery==
{{Expand section|date=May 2011}}
VR has used several liveries in the past. When InterCity traffic started during the 1980s, VR's colour scheme was changed to red and white. In 2009, VR changed its corporate colour to green<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.vrgroup.fi/en/vakiolinkit/VRinforms/news_112.html | title = VR switches to green corporate visual identity | publisher = VR group | date = 7 May 2009 | access-date = 19 May 2011 }}</ref> and all the coaches have been repainted in green and white.
== See also ==
*[[ExpressBus]]
*[[Rail transport in Finland]]
*[[Finnish Railway Museum]]
*[[List of Finnish locomotives]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
=== Literature ===
* {{cite book | title = Suomen rautatiet | first1 = Mikko | last1 = Alameri | publisher = Verlag Josef Otto Slezak | year = 1979 | isbn = 3-900134-52-9 | language = fi, de}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|VR Group}}
*[https://www.vr.fi/ VR]
*[https://www.vrgroup.fi/ VR Group]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070807203253/http://www.rhk.fi/in_english/ Finnish Rail Administration]
*[http://www.dlc.fi/~srhs/srhseng.htm Finnish Railway History Society]
*[http://www.rautatie.org Finnish Railway Museum]
*[http://www.kotimaki.com/rautatie/ Railway page for Finland (maintained by Kimmo Kotimäki)]
*[http://www.transtech.fi Transtech Oy (Finnish rolling stock manufacturer, formerly Talgo Oy)]
*[http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/finland01.htm Steam Locomotives in Finland Including the Finnish Railway Museum]
* {{citation |url=http://www.railwaywondersoftheworld.com/finland-transport.html |chapter=Transport in Finland |title=Railway Wonders of the World |year=1936 |pages=1241–1246 |editor-first=Clarence |editor-last=Winchester }} illustrated description of Finland's railways in the 1930s
{{VR Group}}
{{Rail transport in Finland}}
{{National railway companies of Europe}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:VR Group}}
[[Category:Railway companies of Finland]]
[[Category:Government-owned companies of Finland]]
[[Category:1862 establishments in Finland]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 1862]]
[[Category:Rail transport articles in need of updating]]
[[Category:Finnish brands]]