The line is single-tracked and electrified with a total length of 166.1 kilometres (103.2 mi).

The line is most noted for the presence of heavy taconite unit trains.

These trains originate in Kostomuksha, Russia, and terminate in Kokkola, Finland, where the ore is transloaded in to bulk ships.

Previously taconite train also ran to Rautaruukki steel mill in Raahe, but this traffic ceased early in 2007, when Rautaruukki decided to order the taconite from LKAB in Sweden.

First segment to be taken in service was a line from Vuokatti to Paltamo via Kontiomäki [fi] in 1926.