Finland–Sweden rail link to be restored?
A long-awaited cross-border rail link between Tornio in Finland and Haparanda is set to open this summer, restoring direct passenger rail connections between the two countries for the first time in decades, according to a report by Yle.
The short but strategically important missing link will allow passengers to travel by rail from Helsinki into Sweden and onwards across continental Europe. Journeys of more than 5,000km – for example from northern Finnish Lapland to southern Portugal – will become possible entirely within the EU rail network.
The reopening follows years of delays caused by funding negotiations, infrastructure upgrades and regulatory hurdles. Key works have included electrification of the line between Kemi and the border, as well as improvements to cross-border operating agreements.
Despite the breakthrough, a technical barrier remains: Finland’s broad-gauge network differs from Sweden’s standard gauge. As a result, passengers will need to change trains at Haparanda, where the historic 1919 station sits conveniently between the two systems.
Finnish operator VR Group plans to run services to Haparanda, connecting with Sweden’s regional operator Norrtåg. Initial service levels are expected to be modest, with around two trains per day.
Beyond tourism, the link is seen as strategically significant, improving resilience, supporting cross-border labour markets, and strengthening northern connectivity. Longer-term plans even envisage extending standard-gauge infrastructure into Finland, though such projects remain years away.
Budapest Southern Ring works trigger long-term disruption
Major engineering works on Budapest’s busy Southern Ring Railway have entered a new phase, bringing significant timetable changes from April 7 and long-term disruption through to the end of 2027.
The project, led by the Ministry of Construction and Transport, is intended to ease pressure on both rail and road networks in the Hungarian capital. By expanding capacity on the key corridor between Budapest-Kelenföld station and Budapest-Ferencváros station, planners estimate that up to 60,000 daily car journeys could be removed from city roads.
A major milestone was reached in late February with the installation of a second new railway bridge at Gubacsi Road. However, the next construction phase means that trains will typically operate on just a single track along the route for the next three and a half years. This will affect services on the Győr and Pécs main lines, as well as some trains to Székesfehérvár and Dunaújváros, many of which usually serve Budapest Keleti railway station.
In total, around 3.8 km of railway will be completely rebuilt, with a third track added throughout and a fourth in some sections. More than 15 km of track will be renewed, alongside bridge reconstruction and the installation of vibration-reduction measures.
Once complete, the upgrade is expected to allow up to 12 suburban trains per hour in each direction, improving reliability and journey times for commuters from towns such as Érd, Százhalombatta and Budaörs.
Passengers are advised to check journey planners before travelling, with further timetable changes expected over the coming months.
Nordland Line services to fully resume as Levanger–Åsen section reopens in June
Norwegian infrastructure manager Bane NOR has confirmed that the Levanger–Åsen section will reopen to rail traffic in June, paving the way for a full restoration of services on both the Nordland Line and the Trøndelag Commuter Rail network.
The reopening follows the completion of repair works on the damaged stretch between Levanger and Åsen. Once operational, trains will again run over the entire route without the need for replacement bus services, allowing timetables to return to normal.
A number of key passenger services will resume in full. On the Trøndelag Commuter Rail network, through workings such as Steinkjer–Lerkendal, Stjørdal–Støren and Lerkendal–Steinkjer will once again operate entirely by train. Meanwhile, on the Nordland Line, the principal daytime services between Mo i Rana and Trondheim will also revert to full rail operation.
The reinstatement will additionally see the return of traditional locomotive-hauled daytime trains on the Nordland Line, along with onboard amenities including the café car, Premium Plus seating and family areas—features that had been unavailable during the disruption.
However, the resumption of night train services will take longer. According to state rolling stock company Norske tog, delays to the modification and approval of a leased locomotive have pushed back their reintroduction. The locomotive requires significant adaptation from freight to passenger use, including the installation of train radio systems.
Driver training is also ongoing, further affecting the timeline. As a result, night trains on the Nordland Line are now expected to restart in early autumn, with a confirmed launch date still to be announced.
Photo courtesy of SJ Norge.
