The Finnish Transport Agency is responsible for the management, development and maintenance of the Finnish railway network. The goal is to keep the current railway network in such a condition that traffic and safety needs are met and an effective throughput capacity guaranteed.

Finland has 5,919 kilometres of railways in use, of which 3,067 kilometres are electrified lines. About EUR 135 million a year is spent on track maintenance.

The railway network’s maximum axle weight is 22.5 tonnes. The speed limit for passenger trains is 220 km/h and 120 Km/h for freight trains.

Level crossings

At level crossings, the railway line is crossed, at the same level, by a road or pedestrian/bicycle route. Finland’s railway network has more than 3,000 level crossings. At a minimum, these are marked by a warning sign.

Good visibility is the most important characteristic of a safe level crossing. The road keeper is responsible for the visibility and condition of the level crossing area; the road keeper is either a private road management body or the Finnish Transport Agency.