So we come to our newest class of electric locomotives: the Sr3, a version of the Siemens Vectron adapted for the needs of the Finnish railway system. Aka the Vector, or as I like to call them, the Chunky Beauty.
A pair of Sr3's in Helsinki in January 2018. The Finnish Vectron's differ from the standard version used in continental Europe by the raised midsection of the roof. Photo Ilves Valta.
A total of 80 hot chubbies were ordered in 2013 for delivery in 2016-26, with an option for 97 further units. And as you can see, we decided to paint them in a sexy livery of green with white highlights, rather than the other way around.
The Sr3 is, in fact, slightly slower than the older Sr2 class, with a top speed of "only" 200 km/h – but it's also more powerful, with an output of 6 400 kW (compared to 6 100 kW on the Sr2). Additionally, the Sr3's are equipped with diesel generators, which will allow them to perform shunting duties on non-electrified tracks, such as around wood terminals, doing away with the need for a separate diesel shunter. Truly a machine that is as versatile as it is attractive.
An Sr3 in Vaasa, August 2022, with a push-pull Intercity train to Helsinki. Photo Ilves Valta.
Alas, things with the chonksters didn't quite work perfectly in the beginning: the automatic train control systems of the trains, which were made to the new ETCS European standards, didn't properly communicate with the existing Finnish JKV system. This resulted in the locomotives doing emergency braking without reason at random times.
Fenniarail's sole Sr3. Photo Fenniarail.
With the teething problems fixed, the Sr3 has proven a reliable workhorse – so reliable in fact, that our privately-owned competitor Fenniarail (boo! hiss!) have taken delivery of one Sr3 of their own, with two more to arrive for them by the end of 2025. We of course have 60 big... not really sure what their gender is... and counting. But I admit it does look good in Fer's blue too.