The class Sr3 fleet entered service on May 31 when one of the locomotives hauled a Tampere -Vuosaari service.
Siemens will deliver a total of 80 locomotives to VR Group under a €300m contract signed in 2014. The 25kV ac 50Hz 6.4MW mixed-traffic units have a maximum speed of 200km/h and delivery will be completed by 2026.
Five locomotives, the first of which arrived in January 2016, have been undergoing tests for over a year to ensure compliance with Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI).
The locomotives are equipped with ETCS as well as the Finnish JKV-STM train control system, and are designed to operate in harsh Nordic winter conditions. Features include side buffers, automatic couplings, cavity roofs and a reinforced front hatch.
The Sr3s are equipped with two diesel-power modules and onboard radio remote shunting controls for operation in non-electrified sidings.
