In Finland, the presence of private freight trains is becoming more noticeable, particularly as a private company's timber transport train travels quietly from Jyväskylä to Äänekoski. The freight cars are loaded with raw timber destined for Metsä Fibre's factory, indicating a shift in the rail transport landscape. Despite rail freight transport being liberalized since 2007, private trains have been rare, contradicting the EU's objectives to enhance competition in the rail sector since the early 2000s. However, in recent years, this trend has started to change as private companies take on a larger share of timber transport.

One of the key reasons for this shift is the availability of suitable freight cars, but there are concerns that this availability could diminish in the next two years. A report published in 2022 by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) pointed out that, despite the liberalization of rail transport, competition in freight transport had been minimal over a 15-year period. VR maintained a monopoly with over 90% of the freight transport market, highlighting the significant barriers that have existed against new entrants. This persistent dominance raises questions about the effectiveness of regulatory measures designed to foster competition in the sector.

The increasing involvement of private operators in timber transportation reflects a broader trend towards deregulation and market openness in Finnish rail transport. As companies strive to carve out a space in a market historically dominated by VR, stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, possibly indicating a turning point for the industry's future. If this momentum continues, it could lead to not only diversified transportation options but also potentially lower prices and improved services for consumers, aligning more closely with the EU's competitive vision for rail transport.