Rail Baltica: Estonia Depot Tender Launched, €41.3M Project

Rail Baltica launches a €41.33 million tender for Estonia’s largest rolling stock depot, centralizing maintenance for the high-speed line and boosting operational efficiency.

January 22, 2026 4:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Rail Baltica has launched a public tender to build the Baltic region’s largest rolling stock depot in Harju, Estonia.
The project is estimated at €41.33 million (ex-VAT) with a completion target of Q4 2028.
The depot is a critical infrastructure asset required for the operational launch of the Rail Baltica high-speed line, centralizing all maintenance activities.

TALLINN, ESTONIA – Rail Baltica has initiated a public procurement process for the design and construction of a €41.33 million rolling stock depot in Harju County. The facility, slated for completion by the end of 2028, will be the largest of its kind in the Baltic region and will centralize all maintenance, repair, and operational services for the new high-speed rail line.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project	Rail Baltica Rolling Stock Depot
Location	Soodevahe area, Harju County, Estonia
Estimated Value	€41.33 million (excluding VAT)
Procurement Deadline	Bids due March 10, 2026
Project Timeline	Construction: Late 2026 – End of 2028
Key Stakeholders	Rail Baltica, Elron (first operator/lessee)
Job Creation	150-200 permanent, highly skilled positions

Operational & Technical Details

The depot is designed to service both high-speed and regional trains. Its core maintenance hall and three-story administrative building will house extensive facilities. The design allows for the simultaneous maintenance of up to six high-speed trains or twelve regional units.

The facility features eight indoor lines with a total usable length of 1,380 meters. Six of these are designated for primary service operations. An additional six outdoor lines will handle cleaning, equipping, and parking, effectively doubling the depot’s throughput capacity. The project also includes a dedicated line for train washing and a separate line equipped with a lathe for wheel profiling.

Market Impact Analysis

The Soodevahe depot is a foundational component for Estonia’s integration into the Rail Baltica network. Its construction is a direct enabler for launching passenger services on the high-speed corridor. By consolidating all rolling stock lifecycle activities, the facility is expected to optimize operational efficiency and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Securing Estonia’s national operator, Elron, as the first lessee under a lease agreement provides an immediate, stable operational base and revenue stream for the new infrastructure upon its completion.