The Finnish Ministry of Communications and Transport has published a report which shows that switching the entire rail network to 1435 mm gauge would have more negative effects than benefits.
The study was commissioned by Proxion, Ubigu Oy and Destia after the European Commission announced last year its intention to impose 1435 mm gauge on all lines forming TEN-T corridors.
Finland advocates a freedom for each country to choose the extent to which it switches to European gauge. The report says that from an operational point of view the conversion is not economical, which only changes if security of supply considerations are taken into account.
The European Commission’s proposals are that TEN-T projects must include a mandatory switch to the 1435 mm standard for the sectors concerned. Finland is considering building new routes to this standard, even parallel to old routes using the 1524 mm standard.
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