Train collision in Ylöjärvi causes significant service delays in Finland

Late Wednesday night, a train accident caused significant delays for several services. The Pendolino train S 53, traveling from Helsinki to Vaasa, collided with a fallen tree just after 11 PM in Ylöjärvi, Pirkanmaa, specifically at Karhejärvi. According to the rail traffic coordination center, both pantographs on the train were damaged, and the overhead power line sustained injuries due to the impact. Fortunately, no risks were posed to the passengers aboard.

Traffic manager Rauno Helander reported early Thursday morning that a repair crew had just left the accident site. While the crew couldn’t fully restore the overhead line in time, they managed to prepare it for diesel trains to operate between the Majajärvi traffic point and Sisättö. Majajärvi is located within Ylöjärvi, while Sisättö is situated in Ikaalinen.

Helander noted that the night train PYO 269 from Helsinki to Kolari resumed its journey around 5:30 AM, running at least five hours late. The train PYO 265, headed for Kemijärvi from Helsinki, was about to continue but faced delays of approximately six hours, having been stuck for an extended period between Tampere and Parkano.

Passengers on the affected Pendolino were transported by bus after the train was initially towed to Parkano and then to Seinäjoki. The damaged train’s wreckage arrived in Seinäjoki at approximately 4:07 AM. Helander mentioned that the repercussions of this accident are likely to disrupt train operations throughout Thursday, as personnel are misallocated and train schedules are thrown into disarray.