Rail route of the month: flying over the primeval forests and lakes of Finland
The monumental façade of Helsinki's main train station features elegant symmetry. Four giant granite men, each holding a lantern, are there to greet me. It's past seven on a quiet Saturday morning and I'm here on a mission eastbound, heading for the only passenger railway in the European Union to cross the 30th meridian east of Greenwich.
>Based on its train number, Finland's IC1 service sounds like it should be the most prestigious train in the country, just like 50 years ago TEE number 1 was reserved for the premium Trans-Europe Express which linked Paris to Bordeaux non-stop. Finland's IC1 rushes nowhere, averaging just over 60mph on the 300-mile journey through lakes and forests to Joensuu, the administrative center of the region Finns know as the name of Pohjois-Karjala (North Karelia). From Joensuu it's another 160 km and two hours by local train to Nurmes, passing through the beautiful countryside of North Karelia and crossing the 30th meridian along the way.
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The Intercity train from Helsinki to Joensuu is almost empty. What is striking is the innovative interior design of the six-car double-decker train. There is a children's play area, complete with slide, in a carriage, a pet area at the end of the train and elsewhere a choice of private compartments for two or four people (which can also be booked with a surcharge by solo travellers), and a few airy, open cars. I head to the dining car and a simple breakfast of oatmeal porridge with berries, orange juice and coffee (all for €7.90).
The monumental façade of Helsinki's main train station features elegant symmetry. Four giant granite men, each holding a lantern, are there to greet me. It's past seven on a quiet Saturday morning and I'm here on a mission eastbound, heading for the only passenger railway in the European Union to cross the 30th meridian east of Greenwich.
>Based on its train number, Finland's IC1 service sounds like it should be the most prestigious train in the country, just like 50 years ago TEE number 1 was reserved for the premium Trans-Europe Express which linked Paris to Bordeaux non-stop. Finland's IC1 rushes nowhere, averaging just over 60mph on the 300-mile journey through lakes and forests to Joensuu, the administrative center of the region Finns know as the name of Pohjois-Karjala (North Karelia). From Joensuu it's another 160 km and two hours by local train to Nurmes, passing through the beautiful countryside of North Karelia and crossing the 30th meridian along the way.
Border markersThe Intercity train from Helsinki to Joensuu is almost empty. What is striking is the innovative interior design of the six-car double-decker train. There is a children's play area, complete with slide, in a carriage, a pet area at the end of the train and elsewhere a choice of private compartments for two or four people (which can also be booked with a surcharge by solo travellers), and a few airy, open cars. I head to the dining car and a simple breakfast of oatmeal porridge with berries, orange juice and coffee (all for €7.90).
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