Jokioinen Museum Railway is also celebrating the 150th anniversary of Finnish Railways. The anniversary started officially at Hämeenlinna in January 24. with Rata 2012 (Track 2012) seminar at Verkatehdas conference centre in old fabric factory area. The special programme included live Porter steam locomotive of museum railway. The locomotive was warmed up and it steamed back and forth of 40 metres long temporary narrow gauge track in the next of congress centre's entrance doors.
Porter actually suited very well in the theme of the anniversary opening ceremonies, because it is Finland's oldest steam locomotive in running condition. It is manufactured at H.K. Porter locomotive factory at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at 1901. That means the locomotive will meet 111 years this year!
Read more of Porter at locomotive site.
YLE regional radio: Porter-locomotive in Hämeenlinna (in Finnish, includes a video clip)
Photos from Hämeenlinna
(you can open a larger image by clicking a thumbnail)
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