Whoever is responsible for the design of the double-decker sleeping cars real knows something about design. - Heinz

I still can't get over how sophisticated and advanced European trains are. During my first time in Europe in 2011 the trains I saw at Frankfurt Airport scared the hell out of me. I'm from Texas and I'd never seen anything like them before. Everyone was so casual and matter of fact and I thought I would jump out of my skin. The first time you see them it's intimidating. Big, powerful and move and stop so fast.

haha this is so finnish, boarding the santa clause express while there is a heavy metal concert in the background. if im not mistaken that sounds like children of bodom.

The 2010 accident happened because an empty train (engine + 8 coaches) was being pushed to the station. About a kilometre out of the station, the train suffered a brake failure, during which the engine and 4 coaches stopped, the other 4 coaches detached from the train and continued to coast towards the station. The coaster was directed to track 13 with the hope that the concrete blocker could stop it, but the 250 000 kg coaster travelling at 30 km/h went right through it, lifted up and finally stopped inside the hotel at the end of the track. The train damaged three floors of the hotel but only injuries occurred inside the coaster, and they were limited to mild bruises. The accident was caused by human error. The main brake line connection had severed between two coaches and the conductor was unable to connect them due to snow and ice. They instead decided to disable the brakes and fix the issue after arriving at the station. Due to the same snow and ice, the conductor was unable to see that the bolt connecting the later coasting coaches to the rest of the train had also come loose. The buffer stops are able to stop full trains from 35 km/h without causing major injuries to possible passengers on the train. VR has also prohibited employees from disabling the brakes if there is no engine between the coaches and the station.

*Man I can never get enough of these sleeper train videos. Especially with the small private cabins. I've never had the chance to sleep in one unfortunately. They look so cozy*

Those Finnish double-deckers, with their massive loading gauge and the big 1520 mm profile really are impressive in size and scale! The Helsinki main station also looks very attractive, with those iconic figures at the front gate holding the light balls. They certainly are eye-catching.

Simply Railway is great. I especially like the text rather than someone speaking.

Remembering the beautiful times my family had when visiting Finland. Our two boys loved the trip to lapland by road from Kuopio. They were just about to complete 2 years and visiting Santa claus village was a dream come true. Our plans to visit Finland and lapland again after 8 years, had to be postponed due to the pandemic situation. Hoping to visit the amazing land of thousand lakes when everything is fine.

Wow that landscape of Finland 🇫🇮 sure looks beautiful. I've never been to Finland before but I'd really love to go there sometime in the future. Good evening from Ireland 🇮🇪

The atmosphere when travelling on the VR sleeper train during christmas is something special. People are so calm and relaxed because they are travelling to the north to their families and they don't need to drive themselves, they can just chill.

That bathroom is so damn clever. I love it.

Let me guess, it's August 23? I guess the heavy metal concert you could hear from the platform in Helsinki is one of the last shows of Children of Bodom :D

Wow.....cleaner then some hospitals.

The station is in the National Romantic Style (Nordic Art Nouveau), designed in 1904 and constructed 1909-1919. The architect is Gottlieb Saarinen, the father of Eero Saarinen who designed Washington Dulles, TWA Flight Centre at JFK and others. The station’s original plan included a separate wing for Tsar Nicholas II (who was also the Grand Duke of Finland, but did not live to see the completion of the station). This wing is now used by the Finnish President. The Railway gauge is so wide (1524) because Finnish Railways were originally constructed under the jurisdiction of the Russian Empire which had a standard gauge width of 1524mm.

Those double deck sleeper cars look pretty impressive. I travelled in an Amtrak Superliner Roomette from San Francisco to Chicago in 2018 and despite their years, they’re still pretty impressive to ride in; smooth and very quiet.

Thank you for not talking and not using sped-up footage with annoying music and just letting the train ride speak for itself.

That trip looked so interesting. I usually like the traditional European cities...but this one made me think I might like to try Finland. Good video...thanks.

That one room probably has more power sockets than my whole house does

And there comes the surprise again. I certainly didn't expect the Finnish sleeper for this week :) . A true fantastic night train. And nice to see the old "Siberian Wolf" still hauling trains. The sound of this Soviet-built locomotive is just wonderful.

I’ve travelled on the sleeper in winter and it’s a fantastic experience. You leave Helsinki thinking about how snowy it is then you wake up in Oulu and realise how snowy it really is! Most peaceful night’s sleep!

I'm surprised the ensuite didn't double as a Sauna... it is Finland after all...

i took one of these some years ago when i was on an Aurora expedition voyage, from Helsinki to northern tip of Finland. The train was not very fast (which i wish could have been), but i was totally shocked when i entered my cabin, finding how clean the bed was with very nice fresh perfume odeur, and got even more shocked to find that each canine has your own toilet and shower like a hotel room. It’s literally like spending a night in a starred hotel on the move. And they even put some cute little snacks on my pillow. And all that only cost something like 100 euro or something. that was undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable train experiences i had, along with the Inka train to Machupichu and Japanese Shinsheng high speed train in different aspects.

For the past 5 years I have been traveling around Europe’s by trains and filming my journeys.Finish sleeper trains are awesome (especially the double deckers)

11:47 “This is the real magic of sleeper train travel” I agree! I mean I’ve never travelled on a sleeper train before but this is the way I’d want to travel between cities, by sleeping through the journey and waking up fresh at the destination haha

Traveled on this train in May 2019. Highly recommend the train trip. Very comfortable and fun.

The chocolate bar is 'Fazerin sininen', which translates into 'Fazer's blue'. The single best chocolate in the world by far.

Greetings from Finland. I have waited for this so long. Thanks for reviewing this. Edit: That autotrain coach, it is one complete wagon. not two different carriages connected together

Transtech and VR are planning a new super sleeperwagon. Cabins will have living room on first floor and sleeping room on second floor. Sleeping room roof will be 100% glass so you can see Auroras while lying on your bed.

The last time I rode a train, it was an overnight from Philadelphia to Orlando. Christmas 1976. This video is perfect. You have a new subscriber.

That's really nice. Loads of love from India 🇮🇳

in winter time many families take this train to Rovaniemi. Cars can be transported as well. So people first drive to a place where they load their car, then they come to the station and get on board. Those wagons that carry cars are then connected to the other ones. It's very convenient because once you wake up in the morning in Rovaniemi, you drive your car out and then you can continue by car to a skiing destination without being too tired like one is after driving all night in winter conditions.

It is a paradise to have a train with basicly no people. It is the best thing ever.

7:44 Aww the pets' cabin How sweet! 🐾🐾

Finland, a very beautiful place. I hope to visit one day.

Love to see, that Finland also supports night-trains! They and ÖBB doing great job in my opinion :D Greeting from Austria

I used to work for VR Track the last year VR's offices were still in the central railway station (they were located on the right hand side of the station that was under refurbishment in the video). The station is very impressive building, including some of the areas customers couldn't get to, such as the main staircase of the office wing and the memorial wall for railwaymen who died during the civil war and the winter war. When we relocated all empoyees received a copy of a book detailing the history of the station that was normally only given as business gifts (I guess VR had a lot of them left over and didn't need them anymore).

This train is beautiful, sleeper trains are definitely the future

Glad the conductor let you move cabins, plus to a deluxe 2nd floor one! I would feel very uncomfortable with sharing with a stranger.

I did a eurail trip for the third time in 2019. Loved every moment of it (Finland included). Whenever possible i would thank the driver at the end of the journey. Their faces would just light up in a smile.

I travelled to the Arctic Circle from Helsinki during the winter time , after X-Mas but before New Year. My train left in the morning from Helsinki and reached there late evening. The next day I visited the Santa Claus village, rode the reindeers. There was not even 10 visitors in the village. Too cold, no sunlight, very dull. Finland is a very safe country just like Japan.

Great video! The provision of cabins for passengers with pets isn’t just for their benefit, it also benefits those with allergies. You’ll see pet compartments on all daytime and nighttime trains with SJ in Sweden and VR in Finland.

Thank you for sharing this experience. I really do appreciate it very much!

Thank you for taking me around the world from the comfort of my couch. 👍🏾

I love the sleeper trains! This one looks absolutely fantastic. Great idea on the double decker style. I wish we had more train travel here in the States. Thanks for the great video!

What a great looking train inside and out. I imagine the scenery is pretty awesome also, especially in winter. Thanks for taking me along I really enjoyed it.

Thanks for the video! An opportunity for revisiting Lapland and all its beauty. Eight years ago I spend a week in Inari (500+ km above) during the midnight sun season and it was awesome. No Santa but also something special about the lakes, the landscape and Sami culture. Great memories. Lapland is also great during summer! Thanks for your work!

I can travel the world like this. Perfect. Thanks for sharing.

I've never been in a sleeper train but it definitely feels like the best way to travel. You get to your destination well rested, enjoy some views, pollute less, they're all wins. I hope I can enjoy one of these journeys one day

Thanks for the high class video! In Finland August is off season after the holidays in July, that's why the quiet trains.Yeah VR have some comfy trains, the newer double deckers also have goodies like play areas for kids etc, easy travelling. Yes trains are becoming more popular in Finland too these days, the only problem is the low population density.

Wow! This makes me love Finland even more!

Excellent video and a wonderful train. Definitely on the bucket list for post-Covid travels.

14:26, Can't believe they were 1970 built. They look fresh.

oh man... this is magic, absolutely magic... i wish we had some of these in Australia!

Those sleepers are awesome and so very clean! Love the multi-hued green and white livery of the train too. Man, I need to make it to Europe someday!

Sleeper looks brand new from the factory and shows no signs of wear and tear. It must have been heavenly enjoying a silky smooth ride in your soundproof cozy cocoon.

NICE PRESENTATION. BEAUTIFUL TRAIN.

Greetings from Scotland. A great journey and I intend to do it one day. I always enjoy your trip reports about train journeys across Europe.

Greetings from Western Australia. I wish I could visit Finland and ride your beautiful trains.

Excellent train journey video!

For a second I thought this was going to be virtual reality

Awesome journey, good interior in train and beautiful outlook.

Trains always fascinate me. I can't wait to step on board and experience it.

Simply traveling in this train is a dream come true. Outstanding video. Thanks. Pronam

I'm planning to take this train trip next year. Thank you for the informative video of what to expect, and for taking the time to show the cabin for mobility impaired travelers. Sometimes what's supposed to be accessible isn't, but that one looked perfect.

Great overview. Having a big loading gauge really helps and allows spacious compartments, long beds and good headroom even in a doubledeck car ... The British night trains have it a lot more difficult, central European are somewhere inbetween.

14:37 these car coaches are attached in Pasila (it's within Helsinki, the next station from Helsingin päärautatieasema)

Jesus! That train is amazing! Out of this world I can say

Thank you for sharing information about accommodations for the handicapped! Every little bit helps!

Love Finland and I love VR trains. I want to go on a sleeper train. Did a 4-hour journey to Joensuu on a VR train though. Pretty amazing

1:02 The ticket office moved to much smaller premises at the west wing of the building in December as the one seen here is being converted to another restaurant. At the moment only 9 stations across the country have VR offices but I won't be surprised if there were none left in a few years time. edit: that refurbishment work next to the platforms is the old VR HQ wing becoming a Scandic hotel.

KZfaq popped up with your NY to Orlando video as a suggestion so I watched it... and then that led me to this one. I teared up while watching it! I'm hoping to take my daughter on this route when we visit Finland in a couple of years... I have been daydreaming about it non-stop. So, thank you very much for the work you put into your channel and for taking us along with you!

Simply mind boggling, many-many thanks for sharing the beautiful post.

"Santa"stic.... I mean 'fantastic' train & what a wonderful experience watching the journey on utube, simply "Finnish"tastic . Till Christmas 'Thank you' Sir! 👌👍👏👏

Nice. Although I stay in India, KZfaq has given me this recommendation in the lockdown... Wow 😂 amazing rail services!

Thank you; I enjoy trip videos from sleepers all over the world. This accommodation looks great! I can't imagine Amtrak comparing well.

It seems that VR thought of everything, even for the lower level sleeper cabin occupants. Very nice video. Thank you.

1:39 Platform or Track was shown for your train IC 273 which was Track / Platform 8.

I once travelled with a friend from Helsinki to Lappland and we shared our sleeping room with a stranger. An old russian woman who snored very loudly all night long. I couln't sleep at all. On our journey back we shared the sleeping room with another stranger. A young woman who slept in the bed highest upp. In the middel of the night she vomited from upp there all over us and our clothes!!! A few years later I travelled again with my friend to Lappland and this time I insisted that we take a sleeping room for just the two of us even tough it was more expensive because I wanted to be sure I could sleep in peace. My friend had her BIG dog with her who insisted on sleeping with me in my bed. There was not much room for me. Again I did not sleep very well because he skrached himself all the time. When we arrived in Lappland we took him to the wet and found out that he was absolutely full of ticks! Poor thing! My friend washed him with shampoo against ticks and the ticks fell off him so our hotel room was full of dead ticks on the floor and the bed. Memorable journeys! 🤣

Spectacular video. Exactly what I was looking for. Amazing channel. Keep up the great work!.

Im going on that train this year :) I love the video btw

ALL THE TRAINS AND BUSES IN FINLAND, AND THE TOILETS AND GROUNDS ARE SO VERY CLEAN. WHY DON'T OTHER COUNTRIES FOLLOW THIS HABIT. THEY ARE SO WELL BUILT AND EVERYTHING IN IT'S PROPER PLACE.

Locomotive was Sr1 not the train type. Train type would be Night train. Night trains in Finland IC265, IC274 to/from Kemijärvi and IC266, IC273 to/from Rovaniemi is called Santa Claus Express. Night trains P263, P269, P270 and P272 is also night trains and they go from Helsinki to Kolari and those night trains are called Aurora Borealis Express.

Love it, u make me feel like I'm travelling too, thank you so much! Please share more!

Bit late, but about the buffers: I'm pretty sure they aren't directly attached to the track, but are clamped on. That way if a train hits them, it acts like a brake, moving along with the train and slowing it down, instead of trying to absorb all that force at once. If you go on Rawie's website, you can see they have a few products under the category "friction buffer stops", so I think that confirms my theory.

I only recently discovered your channel, damn what a treat! Taking some inspiration from you, I've booked two night train travels: From Hamburg to Munich, and from Hamburg to innsbruch - both are with the OBB nightjet! I am excited! keep up the great work on the channel!

Ikr! Finland is a great country! I love my homecounty 😊

The auto transport cars were attached at the next station after Helsinki, which is Pasila. Cars are loaded prior to the trains departure from Helsinki to make attachment and detachment easy!

Hola amigo, this is such a great information, my planning a trip to Lapland for next Christmas and I found your video, I will have a look at some of the other videos of your channel, thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Luigi

I love the VR Sr1, what a beautiful Soviet locomotive!

So this is what Amtrak could look like if they actually tried... Interesting

Being able to have a shower on a train - that's simply amazing!

i really excited, very thankful to you do well

Proud to be a train driver

They got bidet for their toilet, I'm sold!

The train looks brand new.A train with showers wonderful.

Thx for the video, and for the tips travelling on VR sleep coach.

Nice👌

I like this channel and the way you show everything...I just subscribed... PS. I still say if they would get trains like this in America they would have an overkill of people taking them across our great nation there’s so much to see in our country, We just need good rail system

I’m late to the Simply Railway channel but I’m already hooked. The quality of the videos and your enthusiasm makes me want to take my first long train journey. 👏👏👏

Great review!! Loved it!!👍👍😄😄