Concerns rise over dismantling of locomotives and trams in Haapamäki, Finland

Concerns have emerged over the dismantling of old locomotives and trams in Haapamäki, Keuruu, as the ownership of the equipment is unclear. At the Haapamäki depot, one Tr1 steam locomotive, also known as Risto, and two trams from the Helsinki City Transport (HKL) have been dismantled. The process was halted when the Finnish railway company VR mandated an end to the scrapping, with police involvement leading to a criminal complaint being filed regarding the dismantling activities.

Operators at the Haapamäki depot claimed they were scrapping their own deteriorating equipment. However, VR contends that the locomotives belong to them, prompting police investigations into the actions as potential embezzlement. According to Janne Runsamo, VR’s Director of Finance and Risk Management, the company became aware of the scrapping on October 10, after receiving information from the Finnish Railway Museum, leading to their demand for cessation of unauthorized work.

One steam locomotive was completely dismantled, while another was partially decommissioned. It remains uncertain whether parts from these locomotives can be salvaged. The steam locomotive park had sold these to an external firm responsible for their eventual recycling. The firm halted operations immediately upon receiving VR’s order.

While some parts from the dismantled locomotives, valued at up to €100,000, await clarification on ownership issues, most of the metal will likely be recycled. The local steam locomotive park claims to be the largest of its kind globally and featured both their own and VR’s locomotives, alongside others owned by various museum associations.

Trams HKL 331 and HKL 719 were also dismantled quietly; the latter was manufactured in 1940 for the city of Helsinki. The Helsinki Urban Transport Company, which succeeded HKL, only learned of the scrapping through media reports and is currently reviewing the terms under which the trams were transferred to the Haapamäki facility before deciding on further action.