Finland orders 21 more Stadler Sm7 trains for tendered services from 2031

Lead

On October 30, 2026, Railway Supply reported that state-owned RailStock Finland signed an order in the last week of October 2026 for 21 additional Stadler Sm7 electric multiple units under options in an existing procurement contract. The report states the additional vehicles are worth about €240 million and raise the Sm7 fleet on order to 41 units, extending a 20-unit base series. Delivery is reported to be timed for operations to begin by the start of 2031.

Verified facts

- Announcement timing: The order was signed in the last week of October 2026 and publicly announced on October 30, 2026, according to the Railway Supply report. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Units and contract status: 21 Sm7 electric multiple units ordered as options under an existing procurement contract; contract allows up to 50 option trains in total; these 21 extend the 20-unit base series to 41 on order. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Reported value: The report describes the 21 units as worth about €240 million. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Delivery and service start: RailStock said the new trains will be delivered in time for passenger operations to begin by the start of 2031. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Purpose and replacement: The report states the Sm7s are replacing the Sm2 fleet, described as not accessible and being withdrawn. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Contract history and transfer: The Sm7 contract was signed by VR and Stadler in November 2022 and transferred to RailStock in March 2026 as part of an asset purchase agreement between VR and RailStock. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Technical parameters reported: Each four-car, low-floor Sm7 is about 106 metres long, has a top operating speed of 160 km/h (about 99 mph), 340 seats in winter and 320 in summer, room for up to 700 passengers, and Finnish-specific equipment items such as larger snow plows, floor heating and enhanced thermal insulation. (Source: Railway Supply)

Organizations and responsibilities

- RailStock Finland: Identified in the report as a wholly state-owned special assignment company that manages, develops and leases rolling stock for publicly funded passenger rail. The report says RailStock signed the option order and stated the purchase was preparation to ensure rolling stock availability for the PSO period starting 2031. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Stadler: Reported as the manufacturer building the Sm7 (part of the FLIRT family) at its plant in Siedlce, Poland; the report notes production and delivery milestones provided by the manufacturer. (Source: Railway Supply)

- VR (state operator): Reported as the original contracting party with Stadler (November 2022 contract) and as the operator of current PSO services until the end of 2030; the report records that the contract and assets were transferred from VR to RailStock in March 2026. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Finnish government and Finnish Transport and Communications Agency: The report cites the Finnish government’s schedule for a new PSO contract period starting January 1, 2031, and states that the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency became the competent authority for these services on January 1, 2026 and is responsible for the upcoming tender. (Source: Railway Supply)

Operational and commercial context

- Reported commercial timing: According to the report, RailStock framed the order as preparation for the new state-funded PSO contract period due to start January 1, 2031, when services will be subject to mandatory competitive tendering under EU legislation. The report links delivery timing to the need to have rolling stock available for that contract period. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Fleet deployment reported: The report states the first Sm7 units reached the port of Hanko in May 2025; four trains have been handed over, five more are due for acceptance in 2026; Stadler expects to complete the base order by the end of 2027 and to have all 41 trains serving Finnish passengers by 2030. The report says the first Sm7s are expected to enter passenger service in the Helsinki metropolitan area by the end of 2026 and that VR plans to deploy them on lines R, M, D, Z and T. It also reports that the trains are due to run in northern Finland and on other regional routes in southern Finland in the 2030s. (Source: Railway Supply)

- Options and further expansion reported: The report notes a remaining option for 29 more vehicles that can be exercised until 2036. (Source: Railway Supply)

Sources

- https://www.railway.supply/finland-orders-21-more-stadler-sm7-trains-for-tendered-services-from-2031/

- Source organization: Railway Supply

Disclosure

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