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Finland announces migration of its rail network to international gauge

(yle.fi)
461 points axelfontaine | 5 comments | 20 May 25 07:40 UTC | HN request time: 0.852s | source
1. Havoc ◴[20 May 25 09:54 UTC] No.44039718[source]▶
Is this connected to NATO & not being able to move military stuff fast? Timing sure seems to suggest that
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2. larsnystrom ◴[20 May 25 09:58 UTC] No.44039742[source]▶
Yes, it is because of NATO. They've been thinking about it for some time, but NATO tipped the scales.
3. oblio ◴[20 May 25 10:00 UTC] No.44039758[source]▶
Russian military logistics are train based. If Finland switches away from their rail gauge, it's safer from Russian attack, since Russia wouldn't be able to easily carry supplies farther inside Finland.
replies(1): >>44039992 #
4. Geee ◴[20 May 25 10:42 UTC] No.44039992[source]▶
It's the most expensive way to stop incoming trains. Tracks can be easily destroyed if Russia attacks.
replies(1): >>44040100 #
5. oblio ◴[20 May 25 11:02 UTC] No.44040100{3}[source]▶
From what I know they can be rebuilt easily and Russia has tons of engineering units for this specific purpose. That's what they did in Ukraine.

I assume that changing the gauge also affects other related equipment such as signaling and such, which would make rebuilding much harder.