2024-11-15

Fenniarail OY Evaluates RMD’s Rear-View Camera

Currently, tests are underway for RMD’s rear-view camera at Finnish company Fenniarail, with evaluations set to continue until the end of February 2025.

Fenniarail, a private Finnish company founded in 2009, emerged two years after Finland’s rail freight market was opened to competition in 2007. The company provides efficient freight solutions across Finland’s railway network and operates a fleet consisting of six Dr18 diesel locomotives and one Vectron electric locomotive. Two additional Vectron locomotives are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025.

Enhanced Shunting Efficiency

Shunting is an integral part of Fenniarail’s operations. RMD’s rear-view camera eliminates high-risk tasks, such as the need for personnel to ride on footboards during reversing. The camera streamlines shunting by enabling a single operator to handle tasks alone.

When the locomotive is operated via remote control, the driver doesn’t need to walk along the entire length of the train, saving significant time.

Increased Safety and Economic Benefits

Fenniarail operates freight cars across Finland, often through remote areas. In cases where a damaged car needs to be detached, the camera provides a convenient way to monitor the rear. It also offers the possibility for remote assistance by enabling real-time monitoring of the reversing train, for example, from a control center.

Tests of RMD’s camera have already taken place at the Kouvola railyard, where remote controllers used RMD’s monitor mount for locomotive remote operations. Both a Swedish Telia LTE SIM card and a Finnish DNA/MOI LTE SIM card were used during the tests.

– Overall, the tests have been a great success. I am very satisfied with the results, says Juha Vuorinen, Safety Manager at Fenniarail.

To simulate challenging weather conditions, the camera was left mounted on a Vectron locomotive and operated on the Kotka-Kouvola-Kotka route (approximately 110 km). The camera functioned as expected throughout the test, despite fog, rain, and near-freezing temperatures. The test speed varied between 60–100 km/h.

– The durability of the rear-view camera has been a key topic in our discussions. But it’s the safety aspect and the economic benefits of faster, more efficient shunting that make RMD’s rear-view camera so appealing, concludes Jan Lindqvist.

Fenniarail also collaborates with customers who provide their own rail cars for specific transports. Their service offering is broad and includes the transportation of raw materials, hazardous goods, and special project cargo. In recent years, Fenniarail has grown in line with the increasing demand for rail freight in Finland, establishing itself as an independent player in the Finnish market. The company operates freight routes such as Kouvola-Kemijärvi-Kotka-Kouvola and Kouvola-Pori-Kouvola.