Torne River Railway Bridge, Railway bridge between Tornio, Finland and Haparanda, Sweden.
The Torne River Railway Bridge is a 410 meter truss structure that connects Tornio in Finland with Haparanda in Sweden. It features four rails designed to accommodate both Finnish and Swedish track gauges, allowing trains to cross the border without stopping.
The bridge was constructed in 1919 to create the first direct railway connection between Finland and Sweden across the Torne River. This project marked a significant step in linking the rail networks of both nations.
The bridge displays national identities through its color scheme, with white paint on the Finnish side and blue on the Swedish portion. Visitors immediately notice this color shift when crossing the border between the two nations.
The bridge is best viewed from the banks or nearby paths where you can see the structure and color scheme clearly. Access to the railway stations on both sides is straightforward, and the bridge sits close to the centers of both towns.
The bridge features a special four-rail gauntlet track system that accommodates both track gauges without requiring trains to change vehicles. This engineering solution is uncommon in Europe and demonstrates a practical approach to connecting railways between countries with different standards.
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