Lapponia (train)

The "Lapponia" was an express passenger train operated by the Finnish State Railways, the predecessor of the current national rail traffic operator VR Group. The "Lapponia" trains operated on a direct route from Oulu via Seinäjoki and Tampere to Helsinki. Southbound "Lapponia" trains departed from Oulu at 7:00am, arriving in Helsinki at approximately 2:00pm. The returning northbound train left Helsinki at 4:00pm, arriving in Oulu at 10:45pm.

The "Lapponia" express train service began in 1974 as a fast and direct connection between Oulu and the nation's capital. In the beginning the trains had a maximum allowed speed of 120 kilometers per hour (74.5 miles per hour), but it was increased to 140 km/h (87.0 mph) in sections where the electrification was completed.

The "Lapponia" trains ran under that name until 1994 when Finnish State Railways discontinued the use of train-specific naming. More or less the same time express passenger trains were superseded by intercity train service.

cheduled stops for "Lapponia" trains in 1987

The northbound "Lapponia" train (numbered "EP 57") running on Helsinki–Oulu route stopped in 1987 at following stations:
* Helsinki Central (the train originated at Ilmala yard)
* Tampere
* Seinäjoki
* Kauhava
* Bennäs (Pännäinen)
* Kokkola
* Kannus
* Ylivieska
* Oulainen
* Vihanti
* Oulu, where the trains terminated

The southbound "Lapponia" train (numbered "EP 50") running on Oulu–Helsinki route stopped also at railway stations in Parkano and Hämeenlinna. [Suomen kulkuneuvot 1987]

References