Inside Finland’s Railway Past: The Finnish Railway Museum in Hyvinkää

Just an hour from Helsinki, a former railway site now tells the story of Finland’s railways. The Finnish Railway Museum offers a rare look at the country’s transport history in its original setting.

Located approximately sixty kilometers from Helsinki in Hyvinkää, the Finnish Railway Museum is a national collection dedicated to the country's railway history. The museum is uniquely situated at the former station and engine shed of the Hyvinkää–Hanko Railway, a private line established in the 1870s, providing an authentic historical setting for visitors to explore the past.

Inside the museum, visitors can engage with various exhibits that shed light on Finnish railway practices from inception to the present day. Highlights include the only surviving Russian royal carriage stock, along with steam and diesel locomotives that date back to different periods. These permanent exhibits are complemented by rotating displays that explore specific themes and present parts of the national collection not typically on view.

From Royal Carriages to Working Railways

The museum also houses a permanent exhibition focused on railway travel, locomotive and rolling stock development, and railway professions, spread across several buildings on the grounds. Together, these elements provide a comprehensive picture of Finland’s railway evolution.

Beyond its core exhibitions, the museum hosts a variety of annual events and open days, mainly during the summer months. These events offer visitors a more immersive experience of railway history, set within the museum’s park surroundings.

Traveling to the museum is straightforward, with frequent rail connections from Helsinki and convenient road access. The site offers a unique opportunity to explore an important part of Finland’s transport heritage and its role in shaping the country’s development.

_{Sources: rautatiemuseo.fi, myhelsinki.fi}