VR to auction 82 aging locomotives and freight cars this autumn

Finnish state railway VR will auction 33 diesel locomotives, 8 electric locomotives, and 41 freight cars in October, drawing interest from about ten potential buyers, Yle reports.

The sale includes rolling stock nearing the end of its service life, which VR is replacing with newer models. Prospective buyers—logistics firms and companies planning to enter passenger rail—will inspect the equipment in late September.

Joonas Roivainen, VR’s rolling stock director, said the auction supports competition in rail transport. VR has sold older stock for three years, including 11 commuter trains, 124 freight cars, and 17 locomotives since 2023.

Some of the stock requires refurbishment before use. Buyers have previously criticized VR for stripping parts from sold units, but Roivainen said fewer components have been removed this time.

Part of the stock is stored in Pieksämäki, home to a VR subsidiary’s service workshop and a newly opened wheel-set maintenance center, a €10 million investment.