vaunu

Vaunu on Finnish term for a rail vehicle designed to carry passengers or goods. The word is used for rolling stock in rail and tram networks and can refer to a single vehicle within a train. In everyday Finnish usage, vaunu may denote both passenger cars and freight wagons, though compound names are used to specify function.

Common types include matkustajavaunu (passenger carriage), tavaravaunu (freight wagon), ravintovaunu (dining car) and makuupaikkavaunu (sleeping car). In urban transit, vaunut may be self-propelled or hauled by a locomotive, and in long-distance services they are typically arranged as passenger coaches within a train consist.

Construction and features: Vaunut are built on bogies, and connected by couplings that allow multiple vehicles to operate as a single train. They include braking systems, doors for passenger access, and sometimes air conditioning and accessibility features. They can be made from steel, stainless steel or aluminum, with designs varying by era and operator.

History and legacy: The concept originated in the 19th century with wooden and early iron carriages and has evolved into modern light-weight, energy-efficient rolling stock. Many historic vaunut are preserved in railway museums, and some are kept in service by heritage and excursion operators.