Railways in

Estonia

Stadler Flirt DMU no.2234 of Elron on a rural branch line.

The first railway reached Tallinn from St Petersburg in 1870, when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire. It was built to the Russian gauge of 1524mm (now 1520mm).

After the First World War, Estonia became independent, but the Russian gauge was retained. After the Second World War, Estonia again came within the Russian sphere of influence, only regaining its independence on the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The state retains ownership of the network and of freight operations, while passenger services have been privatised. There are international connections with Latvia for freight, and with Russia for freight and passenger services.

Detail planning and construction is under way on a projected new standard (1435mm) gauge passenger and freight railway railway which will connect Estonia with Latvia, and thence via Lithuania to Poland and to the standard gauge network of western and central Europe. Opening planned around 2026.

A feasibility study has been conducted into the construction of a new undersea rail tunnel connecting the Estonian rail network with that of Finland.

• Elron domestic passenger services
• GoRail international passenger services to Russia
• Operail national freight operator
• Eesti Raudtee national track authority
• MTF Logistics independent freight operator
• Rail Baltica projected new standard gauge railway
• FinEst Link proposed undersea link to Finland
• Avinurme Puiduait handicraft centre in Avinurme with a small railway museum. Diesel hauled trains operate from May to October on a 750mm gauge line about 1km in length
• Estonian Museum Railway railway museum in Müramaa. Steam and diesel hauled trains operate on summer Saturdays over a 750mm gauge line, 2km in length, to Lavassaare
• Estonian Mining Museum mining museum at Kohtla-Nõmme with an underground narrow gauge railway carrying visitors as part of the mine tour
• Naissaar Railway 750mm gauge former military railway on the island of Naissaar. Operates by prior arrangement for visiting tour parties
• Tallinn trams

© 2004-2020 Glyn Williams
Photo image by Ilkka Siissalo from railpics.club