Concept plan for the development of Riihimäki Railway Depots – The railway depots will connect the station to the city center

The City of Riihimäki is developing the Veturitallie area next to the railway station in cooperation with VR and other operators in the area. The goal is to create a pleasant and inviting urban environment in the Veturitallie area, with a unique focus on cutting-edge technology, business and research. The starting point for the development work is the Riihimäki Station Area Master Plan and the reference plans that specify it.

“Riihimäki is known for its developing defense and dual-use technology hub and its excellent location along a growth corridor. The gradual transformation of the Veturitallie area, which is of cultural and historical value, into a center of cutting-edge technology and research will further strengthen its profile. The preparation of the functional concept for the area is a concrete step that will make it possible to develop the urban structure, amenity and vitality of the city in addition to the Veturitallie area,” says Jouni Eho, Mayor of Riihimäki.

The Veturitallit is a historic area that, as it develops, will integrate the surroundings of Riihimäki station into the traditional city centre. The city has been looking for alternatives for the new use of the Veturitallit with a group of property owners in the area.

The functional concept for the locomotive depot area was mainly implemented with the Regional Development Fund for Sustainable Growth and Vitality (Akke) granted by the Regional Council of Häme. The concept work was carried out by the Helsinki-based design office Amerikka Oy and Nortecon Oy, who won the tender for the project.

Dual-use technologies and innovations at the center

Riihimäki is already home to a large number of defense industry activities and established technology companies such as Sako and Millog. The Define innovation network was established in the locomotive depot area in 2024 and new growth companies have settled there. The plans that have now been completed will enable the further development of a significant business concentration next to the railway station.

“Riihimäki is actively seeking growth and is strongly developing its robotics and defense industry business ecosystem. We also want to be involved in developing cooperation between universities and the business sector. With the ongoing development projects in the Riihimäki station area, the area will become one of the most interesting concentrations of technological expertise in Finland,” says Toni Piispa, Business Director of Millog Oy.

Three dual-use startups are now located in the locomotive depots

Millog Oy, which provides life cycle management, logistics and expert services for the defense industry, is strongly involved in the Define innovation network and has placed testing and measurement services in the Veturitalle. Companies locating in the area have a unique opportunity to utilize the testing services and industry networks offered by Millog. In addition to Millog, three dual-use startup companies have located in the Veturitalle: Atle Defence Technologies, Rain Global and Tespack. At the turn of the year, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) received additional funding by a decision of the Parliament for the construction of research infrastructure in the premises of the Define innovation network, which strengthens Riihimäki's position as a center of defense technology and innovation.

“The importance of security of supply for Finland is constantly growing. The location of the Riihimäki Locomotive Depot serves a truly wide range of companies. The business cooperation activated by Define and decades as the location of special units of the defense forces give us a strong foundation for the further development of the Locomotive Depot,” says Teemu Seppälä, Technology and Innovation Director of the City of Riihimäki.

The City of Riihimäki, defense industry companies, and the Finnish Defence Forces have close and effective cooperation. The Define accelerator provides a good foundation for its development.

Part of the city center from the locomotive depot

The locomotive depot area is being developed in stages. A significant goal for the near future is the city's negotiations with the property owner VR on the conditions for the property transactions. If the property transaction goes through, the city can open the area to city residents and develop the unique locomotive depot area as part of a pleasant city center environment.

“The Häme University of Applied Sciences campus project moving to the Riihimäki station area, the Power Plant plans and the completed functional concept plan for the Locomotive Garages support each other. Together they form an attractive whole. It is ecologically, economically and socially sustainable to utilize the existing building stock as much as possible. We hope that the functional concept plan will arouse interest and discussion among both city residents and potential locating actors,” says Kristian Keinänen, Development Manager of the City of Riihimäki, who coordinated the functional concept design project for the Locomotive Garages.

Press release 9.11.2023: Riihimäki buys the northern area of ​​the Veturitallie area

Presentation of the functional concept for the Riihimäki Locomotive Depot area Kristian Keinänen 16.4.2025 (pptx)