JKOY Class Sm5
Encyclopedia
The Sm5 electric multiple unit (EMU) is a low-floor train used on the Helsinki commuter rail
network. Unlike other train types on the network, the Sm5 units are owned by Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto Oy, a subsidiary of the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen and the VR Group
. The units are leased to the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority
, but due to VR Group's passenger transport monopoly on Finnish railways VR operates the trains.
EMUs from the Swiss manufacturer Stadler Rail
in 2006. The first two units were delivered in November 2008 and 2009. The units were put through extensive testing on the Finnish rail network before the first unit entered commercial service in November 2009. As of September 2011, ten units have been delivered, nine of which are in service. Nine more trainsets were ordered in October 2011, raising the total to 41.
The Sm5 units are designed for the Finnish winter conditions. They are fitted with 50-100% thicker thermal insulation compared to previous FLIRT models, and the incoming fresh ventilation air is preheated with the outgoing warm air to recover heat. The entrance areas are fitted with fan heaters in order to preserve the interior climate as passengers enter and leave during cold weather.
The Sm5 unit is mostly low-floor with all entrances level with the station platforms. The interior space is open through the articulations so that passengers can walk through all the four cars from end to end. This allows passengers to easily occupy the cars evenly. The wide Finnish loading gauge allows the cars to be wider than most European railway cars. This allows a 2+3 seating configuration in the commuter trains without a too cramped seating.
The Sm5 series is planned to replace the oldest electric multiple unit series in the Helsinki commuter traffic, the Sm1
. The Sm5 are also to be used for the airport shuttle service, the Ring Rail Line
(currently under construction) connecting the Helsinki-Vantaa airport
to the rail network in 2014.
The trains are transported from the Swiss factory by road and ferry, since they cannot run on European standard gauge
railways.
Helsinki commuter rail
Helsinki commuter rail is the commuter rail system serving Greater Helsinki, Finland. The network is operated by VR, the Finnish national railway company. Together with the Helsinki Metro and trams, the network forms the heart of Helsinki's public transportation infrastructure.Trains run above...
network. Unlike other train types on the network, the Sm5 units are owned by Pääkaupunkiseudun Junakalusto Oy, a subsidiary of the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen and the VR Group
VR Group
VR or VR Group is a state-owned railway company in Finland. Formerly known as Suomen Valtion Rautatiet until 1922 and Valtionrautatiet / Statsjärnvägarna until 1995...
. The units are leased to the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority
Helsinki Regional Transport Authority
Helsinki Regional Transport Authority began its work on January 1, 2010. The work of the new intercommunal authority is based on the new Finnish public transportation law in force since December 3, 2009...
, but due to VR Group's passenger transport monopoly on Finnish railways VR operates the trains.
History
Junakalusto Oy ordered 32 Stadler FLIRTStadler FLIRT
Stadler FLIRT is an electric multiple unit produced by Stadler Rail AG. The articulated trainset comes in units of two to six cars with two to six motorized axles. The maximum speed is 200 km/h...
EMUs from the Swiss manufacturer Stadler Rail
Stadler Rail
Stadler Rail AG , based in Bussnang, Switzerland, is a Swiss manufacturer of rail passenger cars.In 1942 Ernst Stadler founded the Stadler Engineering Office which later became Stadler Rail.- Factories :...
in 2006. The first two units were delivered in November 2008 and 2009. The units were put through extensive testing on the Finnish rail network before the first unit entered commercial service in November 2009. As of September 2011, ten units have been delivered, nine of which are in service. Nine more trainsets were ordered in October 2011, raising the total to 41.
The Sm5 units are designed for the Finnish winter conditions. They are fitted with 50-100% thicker thermal insulation compared to previous FLIRT models, and the incoming fresh ventilation air is preheated with the outgoing warm air to recover heat. The entrance areas are fitted with fan heaters in order to preserve the interior climate as passengers enter and leave during cold weather.
The Sm5 unit is mostly low-floor with all entrances level with the station platforms. The interior space is open through the articulations so that passengers can walk through all the four cars from end to end. This allows passengers to easily occupy the cars evenly. The wide Finnish loading gauge allows the cars to be wider than most European railway cars. This allows a 2+3 seating configuration in the commuter trains without a too cramped seating.
The Sm5 series is planned to replace the oldest electric multiple unit series in the Helsinki commuter traffic, the Sm1
VR Class Sm1
The electric multiple unit Sm1 is the oldest type of commuter train equipment still in active use by the VR Group . Fifty Sm1 units were built between years 1968 and 1973 at Valmet airplane factory in Tampere. It was put into use on the first electrified Finnish railway line between Helsinki and...
. The Sm5 are also to be used for the airport shuttle service, the Ring Rail Line
Kehärata
The Ring Rail Line is a railway route under construction in the area of the city of Vantaa, in the Greater Helsinki Metropolitan Area of Finland. It will connect Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the adjacent Aviapolis business and retail district to the Helsinki commuter rail network...
(currently under construction) connecting the Helsinki-Vantaa airport
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Helsinki Airport or Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is the main international airport of the Helsinki metropolitan region and the whole of Finland. It is located in Vantaa, Finland, about west of Tikkurila, the centre of Vantaa, and north of Helsinki city centre...
to the rail network in 2014.
The trains are transported from the Swiss factory by road and ferry, since they cannot run on European standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
railways.