kuviolinjat

Kuviolinjat are a type of 19th-century narrow-gauge steam railway line in Finland. Constructed and operated by the Finnish government, they connected the population to the main railway network in the country's rural areas. Services began in 1870 and the final line closed in 1937. The network peaked at 98 kilometers in length with 30 stations. Steep gradients and ornate wooden stations were characteristic of the lines.

The kuviolinjat's construction and operation reflected the economic and geographical conditions of the time. The British-designed steam locomotives used on the lines were capable of traversing short distances, and were seen as part of an infrastructure intended to develop and modernise remote areas. Seasonal changes and especially winter weather however made the operation challenging. Service disruptions and difficulties in regular maintenance also contributed to the eventual decline and closure of the railway line.