VR Class Dm11
| Company type | Diesel multiple unit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | GEC-Alsthom |
| Headquarters | Spain |
Area served | Finland, Lithuania, Cuba |
| Products | Diesel multiple units |
The Dm11 was a diesel multiple unit manufactured by GEC-Alsthom in Spain specifically for VR Group. In 1995, VR placed an order for 16 units with an option to acquire an additional 16, at a total cost of 80 million Finnish marks. The initial six units were delivered to Finland in early 1997, and testing commenced soon after their arrival. Despite this, VR terminated the contract by the end of the same year, leading to the withdrawal of these trains from service by 1999. After a short tenure in Lithuania, the units were eventually sold to Cuba. Informally, the train earned the nickname Mandolino, drawing a comparison to the contemporary Pendolino.
VR's decision to reject the Dm11 was influenced by several factors: the completed units exceeded the weight specifications by approximately , restricting their operation on lower-grade tracks; noise levels inside passenger compartments were measured to be 12 dB higher than anticipated; and operational challenges during winter included issues such as window icing. Moreover, the original black front design compromised visibility, which necessitated the addition of yellow markings on unit 4401 for safety reasons.
In response, VR launched new procurement processes beginning in December 1997, aiming to acquire between 12 and 20 trains with options for more. None of the proposals fulfilled the technical requirements, resulting in multiple tender rounds continuing until 1999. Ultimately, in 2001, CKD Vagonka secured a contract to deliver a new series of DMUs, designated as VR Class Dm12, which reused the fleet numbers from the Dm11 units (4401–4406).