Over the past year, the focus on the Tampere–Pori/Rauma track section has been on field work, such as cabling and installation work. Towards the end of the year, the project took a big step forward as various testing could be started in laboratory environment. Next year, the focus will be shifting even more to testing, with the aim of preparing for the start of operative traffic using ETCS and verifying the development work completed in the Digirail project.
The purpose of the Tampere–Pori/Rauma track section is to test the new European Train Control System (ETCS) in commercial use and to provide valuable information for the planning of Digirail’s long-term, cost-effective and rational implementation throughout Finland.
This year, the cable routes and the installation of the signalling system in the equipment rooms were completed, with only a few finishing touches required. Work was also started on the remote control system, and the first Eurobalises were installed on the track section.
Several key tests were carried out in the laboratory during the autumn:
- In early October, the system inspector carried out a Generic Application (GA) FAT test in Madrid. The test verified the implementation of the Centralized Security System (CSS) requirements at product level.
- The EULYNX laboratory at the Rail Training Centre (ROK) became operational in the spring and started the integration testing of the CSS and external equipment in October. Work will continue in 2026.
- At the end of November, the commissioning inspector continued to check the CSS requirements and a FAT of the Rauma traffic operating point was carried out at Siemens’ Madrid premises.
The laboratory work allows us to minimise field testing. Testing will continue next year, and once completed, the aim is to start the first phase of operative testing in late 2026.
“At the moment we have a good situational picture of what lies ahead. There is still a lot to do, but over the past year, we have made huge progress. A big thank you to all the people behind the work. We have faced many new things, but challenges can be overcome by working together,” says Project Manager Aapo Tiilikainen.
Taking steps towards operative testing
Year 2026 will entail several major milestones for us. The goal is to have the system suppliers’ FAT tests for Release 1 (Rauma-Kokemäki) completed in April, and have the balises both installed and encoded. In May, the track section should be equipped with the basic ETCS functionalities.
“Equipping the Rauma-Kokemäki track section with ETCS is an important step. I am very confident that we will reach our targets. With Release 1, we can see how ETCS works in the context of the requirements we have developed and we can then fine-tune the functionality, if necessary,” says Tiilikainen.
The real moment of celebration will come in November, when the operative tests on the Rauma-Kokemäki section will start.
“It will be a concrete indication that the project is moving towards its goal. The final milestone is expected in autumn 2029, when commercial traffic starts on the Tampere-Pori/Rauma line.”