VR Class Sm2
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The electric multiple unit Sm2 is currently the 2nd newest type of commuter train equipment in use by VR. To 50 Sm2 units were built between 1975 and 1981 by the airplane factory of Valmet in Tampere. The electric systems were built by Strömberg in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki. The Sm2 units are currently under complete renovation, during which the trains are essentially rebuilt. Only the bodywork and the technics remain mostly untouched. For the passengers the changes are visible mostly as visual changes, such as a different type of benches, modern toilets and a new livery.
To the outside the most significant difference in how Sm1 and Sm2 units look are the stripes designed to support the structure on the sides of the Sm1 unit. They don't exist in the more modern Sm2. Sm2 units can be coupled together with Sm1 units (but not with Sm4 units), forming trains of at most six units (12 wagons), but the length of the commuter train platforms reduces the maximum length to five units in commercial traffic. Naturally the full length trains can be seen in the depot traffic in the mornings and evenings.
Each Sm2 unit consists of two carriages. Sm2 is actually the class of the motored carriage of the multiple unit. The other carriage is called a driving trailer and its class is Eioc. Also the Sm2 end has a driver's cabin, which enables the train to be driven to both directions without turning it around, which brings a big benefit compared to locomotive-pulled trains in commuter traffic.
The maximum speed of the train is 120 km/h. The bodywork is made of aluminium, as opposed to steel in Sm1. The bogies are better and the Sm2 units have air suspension instead of steel suspension. The Sm2 units have been numbered between 6051/6251 and 6100/6300 (the number of Sm2 unit / the class of Eioc carriage)
