Ilmala train depot

Ilmala train depot is the centre of the entire Finnish railway network for passenger traffic. The modernisation of the depot became essential as traffic volumes were increasing and new additions were made to the fleet.

Ilmala train depot’s improvement project carried out by the Finnish Transport Agency in 2006–2012 modernised the depot to match the contemporary needs. The depot is located on top of an old landfill in Helsinki, originally built on a wetland. This meant that laying the foundations was extremely challenging. The plan was to focus on managing the depressions, as well as contaminated soil and water. Most of the old tracks were renewed and old safety equipment was replaced with a new system in stages. Simultaneously, entirely new tracks and platforms with pipelines for train maintenance purposes were also constructed, and some of the power supplies and point heating systems were renewed. Flood lighting was completely refurbished and the safety of the depot area was improved with camera surveillance and by surrounding the area with a fence. The depressed ground underneath the old train depot underwent large-scale repairs.

Throughout the project, the depot operated at full capacity and the construction work was adapted to the traffic volumes, carried out section by section.

Sweco was in charge of commissioning the construction and design of the project. The project was completed within budget, and disruptions to traffic caused by the construction were minimised by carefully dividing the project into stages. The end result is a modern and safe maintenance and train depot area.