Finnish Train Fire

[rf_ioliver]

Being reported that a steam train running between Helsinki and Kouvola has caught fire on the high-speed line between Kerava and Lahti. The train involved is a 1949 built steam train known as Ukko-Pekka.

Reports a bit confused as they all mention the train "Ukko-Pekka" itself, but it seems to be a number of freight wagons being hauled by the train - presumably carrying wood and other equipment. The passenger coaches have been detached and it looks like the steam train itself is fine. All traffic between Kerava and Lahti has been stopped and I guess all intercity services are now routed by Riihimaki.

https://twitter.com/KUpelastus/status/1667905830019117057

Ukko-Pekka palaa oikoradalla – junaliikenne Lahteen keskeytynyt

Pelastuslaitos sammuttaa vanhan höyryjunan paloa Mäntsälässä. Palo aiheuttaa useita muutoksia VR:n liikennöintiin.

www.is.fi

Junaliikenne poikki Keravan ja Lahden välillä – syynä museojuna Ukko-Pekassa oleva tulipalo

Junaliikenne oikoradalla on poikki Museojunassa olevan tulipalon ja sähköratavaurion vuoksi.

www.mtvuutiset.fi

 

[30907]

Looks as though one van has been burnt out, nothing else much damaged.

 

[rf_ioliver]

Latest is that one of the support wagons ... IIRC there's two - one full of wood and one with other equipment caught fire. Cause unknown at this point. There is track damage and overhead lines are down.

Summary of YLE's less sensationalist report:

"The disruption in train traffic caused by the fire will be fixed by Monday morning A fire that broke out in the museum train on the Lahti straight track interrupted traffic on the track section between Lahti and Kerava on Sunday evening. The fire has been extinguished."

 

[43096]

Being reported that a steam train running between Helsinki and Kouvola has caught fire

At first read of that I did think that steam trains are meant to catch fire.

 

[rf_ioliver]

At first read of that I did think that steam trains are meant to catch fire.

The writing in the Finnish tabloid press was pretty dreadful - sparked a huge response in twitter replied about how sad it was to lose this steam train. Fortunately no one was injured and only a freight wagon was lost. Some damage to the power lines and track, but that was fixed by this morning.
A good picture here: http://vaunut.org/kuva/162501?a=1