Portugal is still interesting!

[nanstallon]

I first visited Portugal in 1971, when the north was superb for steam. In more recent years, I have revisited, to enjoy the scenery and pleasant winter climate.

Last Saturday, I travelled from Lisbon to Lagos in the Algarve. At Santa Apollonia station, I was amazed to see one of the old English Electric 20 lookalikes, no. 1427, still at work shunting. I thought that they had all been sold to Argentina. Does anyone know how many of those locos remain in Portugal?

 

[CC 72100]

Npt sure whether it will be repeated in summer 2018, but over summer 2017 it was possible to travel behind class 1400s on the Douro valley line on a return trip from Porto to Tua. About 10 euros each way... one of the most scenic lines in Western/Southern Europe, load 2 coaches from the 50s, full drop down windows, gorgeous day and a bit of English Electric - beat that

 

[nanstallon]

Npt sure whether it will be repeated in summer 2018, but over summer 2017 it was possible to travel behind class 1400s on the Douro valley line on a return trip from Porto to Tua. About 10 euros each way... one of the most scenic lines in Western/Southern Europe, load 2 coaches from the 50s, full drop down windows, gorgeous day and a bit of English Electric - beat that

That will be worth looking out for.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Npt sure whether it will be repeated in summer 2018, but over summer 2017 it was possible to travel behind class 1400s on the Douro valley line on a return trip from Porto to Tua. About 10 euros each way... one of the most scenic lines in Western/Southern Europe, load 2 coaches from the 50s, full drop down windows, gorgeous day and a bit of English Electric - beat that

Sounds good, but only 2 coaches, was it crowded? Shame that not many, if any, of the branch lines are still open off the Douro Valley Line. It is a lovely region.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I first visited Portugal in 1971, when the north was superb for steam. In more recent years, I have revisited, to enjoy the scenery and pleasant winter climate.

Last Saturday, I travelled from Lisbon to Lagos in the Algarve. At Santa Apollonia station, I was amazed to see one of the old English Electric 20 lookalikes, no. 1427, still at work shunting. I thought that they had all been sold to Argentina. Does anyone know how many of those locos remain in Portugal?

Does one still get the ferry from Lisbon City across to the station for the Algarve bound trains?

 

[CC 72100]

Sounds good, but only 2 coaches, was it crowded? Shame that not many, if any, of the branch lines are still open off the Douro Valley Line. It is a lovely region.

No - this was last week of September, and a weekday at that, and so the peak summer season was over. About 40 people on board, but interestingly some people on 'normal' journeys had a reservation on the train between Porto Sao Bento and Porto Campanha - effectively like having a reservation between Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket on a rail tour!

Am told that during high summer it ran with 4 coaches and was much better loaded.

 

[nanstallon]

Trains from Lisbon to the Algarve now cross the Tagus river on a bridge. Barreiro on the south bank is now only a suburban service terminal.

Sadly, all the narrow gauge branches off the Douro Valley main line are now closed, except that possibly a small isolated section of the old Tua - Braganca line remains (a few miles at Mirandela).

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

No - this was last week of September, and a weekday at that, and so the peak summer season was over. About 40 people on board, but interestingly some people on 'normal' journeys had a reservation on the train between Porto Sao Bento and Porto Campanha - effectively like having a reservation between Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket on a rail tour!

Am told that during high summer it ran with 4 coaches and was much better loaded.

Oh Right, I was there during May or June. The trains from / to Porto were, I think, three carriages long, silver/metal, I can't recall if they were DMUs or Loco Hauled, they were busy but just about enough seating.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Trains from Lisbon to the Algarve now cross the Tagus river on a bridge. Barreiro on the south bank is now only a suburban service terminal.

Sadly, all the narrow gauge branches off the Douro Valley main line are now closed, except that possibly a small isolated section of the old Tua - Braganca line remains (a few miles at Mirandela).

Thank you. When I was there, we did go on a steam train on the far end of the main line where there are not so many scheduled service trains. Complimentary port was served on board.

 

[Flying_Turtle]

Still a few 1400s around. They still do some local trains in the North, shunting and some local mainline freight.