VR blue carriages

An express train consisting of blue cars in Kauklahti, Espoo

The blue carriages are passenger cars built between 1961 and 1987 used by VR for long-distance passenger travel in Finland. They are capable of speeds from 140 to 160 kilometres per hour.

History

The first 15 units were built in Germany by Maschinenfabrik Esslingen in 1961. The model was later copied by VR and manufacturing started in VR's own machine workshop in Pasila in 1964. Over 600 units were built up until 1987. They are slowly being phased out in favour of the more modern InterCity-coaches. Some are still used in night trains from Helsinki to Kolari and Kemijärvi and in commuter trains to Kouvola.

A regional train with blue cars in Huutokoski.

A night train with sleeping blue cars in Tuusula.

A commuter train with blue cars at Helsinki Railway Station. Though referred to as blue cars, commuter cars were originally actually painted red.

List of currently used passenger cars

Name	Outside image	Inside image	Description	Years built	Seats
Eipt			Eco-class car with lounge compartment for pets, luggage cabin and telephone booths. They were refurbished in 1997-2000 and turned into first class cars. The interiors of the cars were upgraded to a modern InterCity-style. This was short-lived however, as in 2004 they were reverted back to Eco-class and the former first class lounge made into a space for pets. Currently used from December to April in night trains to Kolari.	1975-1976	46
Rk			Restaurant car. Originally built as standard Express Train restaurant cars, they were refurbished in 1996-1998, given a 60s interior theme and painted in red-white InterCity-colors. Used in night trains to Kolari. Official Description: Golden Wanderer - a journey across Finland They travel across Finland, usually with our InterCity trains. The Golden Wanderer offers a warm atmosphere with classic Finnish fare such as meatballs, rice-filled Carelian pasties and cinnamon swirls. Come give yourself a treat!	1975-1976	40
EFits and EFs			Eco-class car with luggage compartment and conductor's cabin. They were painted in VR:s standard green-white theme in 2010-2012. Used in night trains to Kolari and Rovaniemi.	1985-1986	46
EFiti			Eco-class car with luggage compartment and conductor's cabin, with specialized entrances, seats and a toilet for wheelchair users. The features for wheelchair users where added in 1991-1995. Used from December to April in night trains to Kolari and occasionally in night trains to Rovaniemi.	1980-1981	46, of which 3 are for wheelchairs
Eil			Commuter traffic car. They were refurbished and painted green-white in 2011-2013.	1982-1987	113
Eilf			Commuter traffic car with conductor's cabin. They were refurbished and painted green-white in 2011-2013.	1982-1987	93
CEmt			Sleeping car. The roof on the sleeping cars is higher than any other cars to be able to fit 3 beds on top of each other in the cabins.	1978-1984	35 beds
Eifet			Eco-class car with a seating compartment and generator, used to give power to the train on non-electrified tracks and when the locomotive can't provide enough power for the train. Originally built with a baggage compartment in place of the generator, a generator was added in 1988-1991 and the car was painted red-white in VR:s then new InterCity color scheme.	1966-1969	44
Fots			Luggage car with a conductor's cabin. Painted green-white in 2010 and 2014. Used in night trains to Kemijärvi.	1984-1985
De			Generator car. Originally a luggage car, but fitted with a generator and painted red-white in 2008 since VR needed more generator cars.	1984

Most blue cars have big doors at the end of the cars that open using compressed air.

See also

• VR Class Eil

External links

• Pictures of blue cars at vaunut.org (in Finnish)