Estonia - General Information: Difference between revisions
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===Printed Maps=== | ===Printed Maps=== | ||
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-E | European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition)]] by M.G. Ball. | *[[Printed Maps#ERA-E | European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition)]] by M.G. Ball. | ||
*[[Printed Maps#ERA-R- | *[[Printed Maps#ERA-R-3 | European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 3)]] by M.G. Ball. | ||
*[[Printed Maps#ES-LT-LV-EE | Mapa Kolejowa Litwy, Łotwy i Estonii]] (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) by W. Kolondra. | *[[Printed Maps#ES-LT-LV-EE | Mapa Kolejowa Litwy, Łotwy i Estonii]] (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) by W. Kolondra. | ||
*[[Printed Maps#QM-EE |Railway Map of Estonia]] by Quail Map Company. | *[[Printed Maps#QM-EE |Railway Map of Estonia]] by Quail Map Company. | ||
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==Ticketing== | ==Ticketing== | ||
There are no known "runabout"-type tickets, but fares are cheap. | There are no known "runabout"-type tickets, but fares are cheap. | ||
Tickets can be purchased from the [https://elron.ee/en Elron website]. Note that it does not sell international tickets; journeys to Latvia have to be booked from Valga. | |||
A plastic smartcard and e-ticket system is now in use in Tallinn. Information on buying and using smartcards can be found on the [https://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/eng/fpage/travelplanning/transportation/public Tallinn Tourism website]. | A plastic smartcard and e-ticket system is now in use in Tallinn. Information on buying and using smartcards can be found on the [https://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/eng/fpage/travelplanning/transportation/public Tallinn Tourism website]. | ||
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===Electrification=== | ===Electrification=== | ||
3 kV | * 3 kV d.c. : Suburban routes around Talinn - Aegviidu/Paldiski/Klooga-Rand/Turba (132 km). | ||
* 600 V d.c. for Tallinn tramway. | |||
In 2019 the government approved electrification of the network by 2028: east of Tallinn at 25 kV AC but retaining the existing 3 kV DC system west of Tallinn. It is planned to electrify Aegviidu – Tapa – Tartu by the end of 2024, initially using 3kv to Aegviidu. | In 2019 the government approved electrification of the network by 2028: east of Tallinn at 25 kV AC but retaining the existing 3 kV DC system west of Tallinn. It is planned to electrify Aegviidu – Tapa – Tartu by the end of 2024, initially using 3kv to Aegviidu. | ||
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==Recent and future changes== | ==Recent and future changes== | ||
===Future Changes=== | |||
Rail Baltica:</br> | |||
The Estonian section is 213 km long and two consortia have signed contracts worth €726m for this to be finished by 2030: 1. Superstructure works for Tallinn Ülemiste – Tootsi – Pärnu and substructure and superstructure works for Tootsi - Pärnu. 2. The full design and construction of Pärnu – Ikla (Latvian border). Hardly any of the formation of the closed Lelle - Pärnu line will be used.</br> | |||
Costs have risen considerably and the latest Autumn 2024 EU finance package provides funding for 58km of this, with other parts already funded and under construction. A tender for the proposed [Tallinn] Ülemiste International Passenger Terminal providing connections with Estonian local rail services, trams and buses was launched in 2024. | |||
All this despite the middle country Latvia publicly admitting their parts may not be completed until 2035 and be single on a double track formation to save costs. | |||
===Recent Changes (latest developments at top)=== | |||
Line 2 of the Tallinn Tramway, Suur Rannavärav (ex Linnahall) – Vanasadam – Paberi (2 km), was officially opened on 29 November 2024 with public service from 1 December 2024. | Line 2 of the Tallinn Tramway, Suur Rannavärav (ex Linnahall) – Vanasadam – Paberi (2 km), was officially opened on 29 November 2024 with public service from 1 December 2024. | ||
Electric services to Tapa are due to commence at the end of 2024. | Electric services to Tapa are due to commence at the end of 2024 and to Tartu during 2025. There are some realignments under construction between Tapa and Tartu, south of Kaarapere of around 7km, and 0.7km north of Kärkna planned to be in use by then. Photographic evidence shows a 1.9 km realignment south of Kärkna including a new bridge over the river Emajõgi, were in service before July 2024. | ||
The 64 km Lelle - Pärnu line closed from 9 December 2018 as the government would no longer subsidise it | The 64 km Lelle - Pärnu line closed from 9 December 2018 as the government would no longer subsidise it. | ||
The Estonian government decided to stop all traffic to and from Russia and Belarus, other than transit freight, from 1 January 2023. | The Estonian government decided to stop all traffic to and from Russia and Belarus, other than transit freight, from 1 January 2023. | ||
The government | The government calculated that the European Commission proposal in July 2022 that new lines should be built to the standard gauge of 1435mm, and key routes of other gauges converted, would cost EUR 8.7 billion. They considered this should be deferred until Rail Baltica is completed. | ||
The Russian Railways Moskva – St Peterburg – Tallinn service was suspended from 20 March 2020 due to the Corona Virus and will clearly not resume in the foreseeable future. | The Russian Railways Moskva – St Peterburg – Tallinn service was suspended from 20 March 2020 due to the Corona Virus and will clearly not resume in the foreseeable future. | ||
Latest revision as of 21:06, 8 September 2025
Country Name
Estonia (Eesti)
National railway system
AS Eesti Raudtee (EVR) is the state-owned railway holding company.
National Railway Operator
AS Eesti Liinirongid (Elron) is the state owned national operator.
The state-owned Elektriraudtee was renamed Elron, which took over the assets and operations of the privately owned Edelaraudtee on 1 January 2014,
Language
Estonian.
Currency
Euro.
UIC code
numeric 26; alpha EST
Timetable
Journey Planner
- Domestic journeys: Elron
- International journeys to Russia: There are no longer any international services to and from Russia
Downloadable Timetable
Printed Timetable
It is not known if Elron, which has replaced both Edelaraudtee and Elektriraudtee, publishes any printed timetable information. The compilers would be grateful for any information.
Engineering Information
None.
Bus Information
Peatus provides comprehensive timetable information for both trains and buses.
Lux Express operates coach routes in the Baltic region.
Maps
Printed Maps
- European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball.
- European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 3) by M.G. Ball.
- Mapa Kolejowa Litwy, Łotwy i Estonii (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) by W. Kolondra.
- Railway Map of Estonia by Quail Map Company.
Web-based Maps
- Map of the Baltic States dated July 2023 - on the Railroad Maps site.
Ticketing
There are no known "runabout"-type tickets, but fares are cheap.
Tickets can be purchased from the Elron website. Note that it does not sell international tickets; journeys to Latvia have to be booked from Valga.
A plastic smartcard and e-ticket system is now in use in Tallinn. Information on buying and using smartcards can be found on the Tallinn Tourism website.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure Authority
AS EVR Infra is the infrastructure subsidiary of AS Eesti Raudtee.
Network Statement
Edelaraudtee Infrastruktuuri AS - Railway network statements
Gauge
"Russian" gauge (1520 mm). The Tallinn tram system is 1067 mm gauge.
Electrification
- 3 kV d.c. : Suburban routes around Talinn - Aegviidu/Paldiski/Klooga-Rand/Turba (132 km).
- 600 V d.c. for Tallinn tramway.
In 2019 the government approved electrification of the network by 2028: east of Tallinn at 25 kV AC but retaining the existing 3 kV DC system west of Tallinn. It is planned to electrify Aegviidu – Tapa – Tartu by the end of 2024, initially using 3kv to Aegviidu.
Rule of the road
Most lines are single track, but on double track sections right hand running applies.
Distances
Tables giving distances between stations can be found in Annex 4 of the Network Statement.
Other Railways
None. However, Russian Railways operated a daily Tallinn - St Peterburg - Moskva service until the start of the Covid pandemic.
Tourist Lines
Naissar Island: former military line (600 mm gauge)
Metro
None.
Trams/LRT-Systems
Tallinn: Tallinna Linnatranspordi AS.
A Track plan for the Tallinn tram system is available on the Gleisplanweb site.
Recent and future changes
Future Changes
Rail Baltica:
The Estonian section is 213 km long and two consortia have signed contracts worth €726m for this to be finished by 2030: 1. Superstructure works for Tallinn Ülemiste – Tootsi – Pärnu and substructure and superstructure works for Tootsi - Pärnu. 2. The full design and construction of Pärnu – Ikla (Latvian border). Hardly any of the formation of the closed Lelle - Pärnu line will be used.
Costs have risen considerably and the latest Autumn 2024 EU finance package provides funding for 58km of this, with other parts already funded and under construction. A tender for the proposed [Tallinn] Ülemiste International Passenger Terminal providing connections with Estonian local rail services, trams and buses was launched in 2024.
All this despite the middle country Latvia publicly admitting their parts may not be completed until 2035 and be single on a double track formation to save costs.
Recent Changes (latest developments at top)
Line 2 of the Tallinn Tramway, Suur Rannavärav (ex Linnahall) – Vanasadam – Paberi (2 km), was officially opened on 29 November 2024 with public service from 1 December 2024.
Electric services to Tapa are due to commence at the end of 2024 and to Tartu during 2025. There are some realignments under construction between Tapa and Tartu, south of Kaarapere of around 7km, and 0.7km north of Kärkna planned to be in use by then. Photographic evidence shows a 1.9 km realignment south of Kärkna including a new bridge over the river Emajõgi, were in service before July 2024.
The 64 km Lelle - Pärnu line closed from 9 December 2018 as the government would no longer subsidise it.
The Estonian government decided to stop all traffic to and from Russia and Belarus, other than transit freight, from 1 January 2023.
The government calculated that the European Commission proposal in July 2022 that new lines should be built to the standard gauge of 1435mm, and key routes of other gauges converted, would cost EUR 8.7 billion. They considered this should be deferred until Rail Baltica is completed.
The Russian Railways Moskva – St Peterburg – Tallinn service was suspended from 20 March 2020 due to the Corona Virus and will clearly not resume in the foreseeable future.
The 6.5 km Riisipere - Turba section of the former Riisipere - Haapsalu line reopened on 8 December 2019. EUR 2m was provided in the 2020 budget for planning the reopening to Rohuküla (Haapsalu).
The new Koidula station on the Russian border, serving the lines from both Tartu and Valga, opened to traffic on 23 May 2011. It replaced the former border facilities at Orava on the Tartu line and at Valga on the line from Riga LDZ. Opening of the new connection from the Orava line to Koidula resulted in the closure of part of the former line between Orava and Pechory-Pskovskie RZD. Tartu - Orava passenger services were extended to Koidula with effect from 1 September 2011 and further from Koidula to Piusa from 27 May 2012. Trains still ran between Koidula and Piusa in the timetable valid until 28 September 2017 but it is thought they ceased after that.
From 27 May 2012 GORail restarted its Tallinn - St. Peterburg service withdrawn in August(?) 2008. The entire GO Rail operation was withdrawn in May 2015 owing to a serious reduction in passenger numbers. The last trains departed from Tallinn to St. Peterburg on 10 May 2015 and to Moskva on 17 May, each returning a day later. However Russian Railways launched a daily Moskva – St Peterburg – Tallinn service on 10 July 2015.
Following the completion of engineering work, passenger services between Tartu and Valga restarted on 1 January 2010.
On 14 January 2009 AS Eesti Raudtee became a holding company with two wholly-owned subsidiaries - AS EVR Infra for infrastructure management and AS EVR Cargo for freight traffic.
Latvian railways (LDz) reinstated three cross-border passenger services from Valka/Lugaži to Valga on 25 April 2008.
Special Notes
None.
