VR Class Dm10
Encyclopedia
The Dm10 was an experimental diesel multiple unit
built by VR Group
's Pieksämäki workshop in 1994. It was based on a blue passenger carriage
, Eit 23018, which was fitted with two diesel engines taken from HKL
buses 601 and 608. The train had 80 no-smoking seats and had the driver selling tickets, which was unusual for Finnish conditions. During testing, it was run under the nomenclature KOEMV 9991 (from the Finnish koemoottorivaunu, experimental multiple unit), transporting Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari
in Savonia
in May 1994.
First accounts were positive, citing that the ride was silent and comfortable. During the summer of 1995 the Dm10 was branded Ilja Repin Express. It was used as an art train, bringing customers to an exhibition of Repin's art at Retretti Art Centre from Punkaharju and Savonlinna. It was also driven on chosen saturdays to Rantasalmi
.
The unit was finally used in regular service for only three years, 1994 to 1997, mostly in regional traffic in Eastern Finland
before being withdrawn. The train had problems with its brakes and VR expected it to be cheaper to buy new DMUs instead of converting old carriages for an expected service time of only 15 years. The train was scrapped in 2006 by Kuusakoski Oy.
The nickname of the Dm10 is Junttilan Salama (Finnish
for "Redneck land lightning").
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
built by VR Group
VR Group
VR or VR Group is a state-owned railway company in Finland. Formerly known as Suomen Valtion Rautatiet until 1922 and Valtionrautatiet / Statsjärnvägarna until 1995...
's Pieksämäki workshop in 1994. It was based on a blue passenger carriage
VR blue carriages
The VR classes Eit, Eip and Ein , better known as blue carriages due to their colour, are passenger cars built between 1961 and 1985 for long-distance passenger travel in Finland...
, Eit 23018, which was fitted with two diesel engines taken from HKL
Helsinki City Transport
Helsinki City Transport or HKL is the official city-owned public transport company in Helsinki, Finland. It operates the Helsinki metro, Helsinki tram and ferry boat traffic...
buses 601 and 608. The train had 80 no-smoking seats and had the driver selling tickets, which was unusual for Finnish conditions. During testing, it was run under the nomenclature KOEMV 9991 (from the Finnish koemoottorivaunu, experimental multiple unit), transporting Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari
Martti Ahtisaari
Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari is a Finnish politician, the tenth President of Finland , Nobel Peace Prize laureate and United Nations diplomat and mediator, noted for his international peace work....
in Savonia
Savonia (historical province)
Savonia is a historical province in the east of Finland. It borders to Uusimaa, Tavastia, Ostrobothnia, and Karelia. Largest cities in Savo by population are Kuopio, Mikkeli, Savonlinna and Varkaus.-Administration:...
in May 1994.
First accounts were positive, citing that the ride was silent and comfortable. During the summer of 1995 the Dm10 was branded Ilja Repin Express. It was used as an art train, bringing customers to an exhibition of Repin's art at Retretti Art Centre from Punkaharju and Savonlinna. It was also driven on chosen saturdays to Rantasalmi
Rantasalmi
Rantasalmi is a municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the Southern Savonia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
.
The unit was finally used in regular service for only three years, 1994 to 1997, mostly in regional traffic in Eastern Finland
Eastern Finland
Eastern Finland was a province of Finland from 1997 to 2010. It bordered the provinces of Oulu, Western Finland and Southern Finland. It also bordered Russia.- History :...
before being withdrawn. The train had problems with its brakes and VR expected it to be cheaper to buy new DMUs instead of converting old carriages for an expected service time of only 15 years. The train was scrapped in 2006 by Kuusakoski Oy.
The nickname of the Dm10 is Junttilan Salama (Finnish
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
for "Redneck land lightning").