Operail received a licence to operate rail services on the Finnish network in May.

“The issuing of the operating licence and the certification of our safety management system are important milestones for us, and confirm that the quality of the service we’ll be providing meets the highest standards required in Finland,” says Mr Paul Lukka, a member of the management board of Operail. “We’re coming to the Finnish market with wide-ranging experience and we’ll be offering our clients a service concept that’s guided by their needs.”

Operail will use nine Wabtec PowerHaul locomotives to operate the services, the first two of which have already been delivered to Finland.

“The PowerHaul locomotives are heavy-haul, six-axle locomotives that provide the high efficiency and reliability you need for heavy freight train transport,” Lukka says. “They’re undergoing testing and certification, after which they’ll be able to go into service. We’re hoping to start transporting freight in the autumn.”