Tallinn's Kopli freight yard is set to remain a working railway hub for years to come, driven by waste-rock trains supplying the Rail Baltica construction project. These trains, originating from Ida-Viru County, pass through the yard three times a week on their way to Pärnu County, according to Eesti Raudtee.
A few weeks ago, Enefit announced it will supply 800,000 tonnes of crushed waste rock for Rail Baltica over two years. Enefit Industry's logistics unit handles transport from Ida-Virumaa to the Kopli yard, after which Operail carries the material onward to Pärnu County.
A single freight train currently carries up to 1,800 tonnes of material.
Ring-railway delays keep yard relevant
Tallinn's ring railway state special plan has stalled due to political disputes. Until it is built, the Kopli yard remains an important link to the Port of Paldiski. The combination of stalled planning and the start of waste-rock transports means the yard will stay a logistics hub for years.
Eesti Raudtee commercial director Arthur Raichmann noted that the waste-rock transports do not change the overall picture. At best, freight volumes on Eesti Raudtee's infrastructure will remain at last year's level, which was 2.87 million tonnes. Freight transport remains in a slump, and the Kopli yard is underused.
Waste rock also has by far the lowest rail-use tariff.
City sees future without freight yard
Tallinn's city government wants to relocate the Kopli freight yard in the long term and open the area to urban use. Deputy mayor Tiit Terik said the yard is so close to the city centre and has such potential that using it only for shunting and wagon storage is not the smartest urban-space decision. He added that the area could become greener, with new buildings and an extension of the Putukaväil light-traffic path.
Terik noted that in Põhja-Tallinn many new detailed plans are approved or in progress, meaning more residents will move in. He said a city train could appear in Tallinn in the future, but the matter is unlikely to be settled within a year or two and depends on multiple parties and decisions.
Eesti Raudtee plans to remove some yard tracks and slightly rebuild the layout toward the Kopli peninsula, continuing optimisation and cost savings. Raichmann noted that the yard could one day include real-estate development and a green corridor alongside a functioning railway.
Meanwhile, the idea of expanding passenger rail service to the Kopli peninsula is moving forward. Elron plans a test run in autumn. Raichmann cautioned that passenger service needs consideration due to the single-track line, which means two trains cannot be there at the same time.
Freight trains run toward Lääne-Harju at night.
