7 Jul 2026
New facilities serving operations, locomotive maintenance, and the work of administrative staff and train drivers are being built for Fenniarail in the Tehola logistics area of Kouvola. The facilities, scheduled for completion by autumn 2027, are being constructed by Kouvolan Yritystilat Oy.
The modern maintenance depot and the new head office will replace current depot operations in Kotka, the Helsinki head office, and the warehouse facilities in Voikkaa. Other maintenance activities currently carried out at various locations will also be centralized at the new depot.
Centralizing operations in one location offers the company numerous benefits. Information flow improves, transitions are reduced and a significant amount of unproductive travel is eliminated by having the head office, the drivers' reporting point, locomotive parking and maintenance all in the same place. Long walks to the rail yard for drivers will also be eliminated, as the distance from the locker room to the locomotive parking area will be short.
"We see many benefits in this project, but I am particularly looking forward to improved rolling stock availability. This means the fleet spends less time waiting for or being moved to maintenance and more time in active service for our customers", says Lauri Helke, Managing Director of Fenniarail.
"The project benefits not only Fenniarail but also anchors a railway operations ecosystem in Kouvola. Operators from various sectors can be located right next door."
Fenniarail’s new premises do not mean that all drivers will relocate to Kouvola; the company’s locomotive drivers are based in various locations across Finland – such as Imatra and Jyväskylä – to meet operational needs.
Draft image: Sweco