Aurora Borealis Express

The Aurora Borealis Express is an overnight express train operating between Helsinki and Kolari in Finland. The train travels via many major cities and towns in Finland, and stops at most of them. The total distance is a little under 1000 kilometers, and the journey lasts for 14 and a half hours.[1] The service is bi-directional, with a corresponding train operating southwards over the same route.[2]

The Aurora Borealis Express in Ylitornio.

The train consists of seven to ten sleeping cars, two open seating cars and one restaurant car. The car types are older blue cars, which are rarely used nowadays in Finland. A few car carrier wagons are added at the end of the train to transport cars.[3] On the last distance from Oulu to Kolari the electric locomotive is switched out for a diesel locomotive since the railway line to Kolari isn't electrified.

The train travels northbound and southbound on varying days of the week, depending upon the time of year. Passenger demand is variable, and somewhat seasonal.

The Finnish railroad network.

Sleeping cars in the train.