Douro Valley Question

[Richard Scott]

I was looking at planning a trip to Portugal either February 2027 or May 2027 to cover Douro Valley turns on 1400s. Know there's been some fairly major infrastructure work going on there, is any planned for those dates, would anyone know or is it too far in advance to know?
Thanks in advance

 

[43094]

As far as I know, the next blockade is planned approx. Oct/Nov 2026 to April 2027, so 1400s may only operate Regua - Pocinho during that time.

So of your dates, May would be better!

 

[Richard Scott]

As far as I know, the next blockade is planned approx. Oct/Nov 2026 to April 2027, so 1400s may only operate Regua - Pocinho during that time.

So of your dates, May would be better!

Thanks, think that settles that one.

 

[SandsofEss]

Can I hijack this thread to ask a related question?

I'll be in the Douro valley this month, staying near Pinhao. I believe the line is open and running.

Is there any way to tell in advance which journeys are operated by the 1400s? Seat61 suggests there is some ambiguity.

 

[reddragon]

From AI

Yes. Independent tools like ⁠Comboios Realtime and ⁠Train Status PT provide live tracking maps and crowdsourced or contributed motor/unit allocation details for Portuguese trains, complementing official real-time data from ⁠CP - Comboios de Portugal. [1, 2, 3]

I used Realtime to find the train and Train Status to find what operated it. Train 868 is today loco 1415 + 3 coaches

You should also try the Vouga line whilst you are there. Last of the narrow gauge, locos & antiques.

 

[S101]

I was there 2 months ago, and every train as far up the valley as Pinhao was loco hauled. From what I could make out, the units didn't regularly go further than Regua.

 

[gazthomas]

Can I hijack this thread to ask a related question?

I'll be in the Douro valley this month, staying near Pinhao. I believe the line is open and running.

Is there any way to tell in advance which journeys are operated by the 1400s? Seat61 suggests there is some ambiguity.

Install Trainstatus.pt on your phone (Android only) or use the associated website. This provides good tracking. Chose the "Search station" option and when selecting a station remember to include diacritics if the place name uses them, for example Régua. Also select the "All passing trains" option to see everything at the chosen station.

As others have said, if a train starts at Porto and heads further east than Regua it *should* be a 1400 and of course the same going back west from Pochino. There is a Marco Canaveses to Pinhao return trip in the afternoon that is a unit.

If you have any detailed questions send me a DM. I've been to the Douro 10 times in the last 3 years, staying at Régua most of the time.

 

[SandsofEss]

A quick note to say thank you for the advice shared here.

Extremely useful resources in the end. Especially when the first train of the day from a rural platform was delayed for two hours with no announcements..!

Still, a wonderful line.

 

[LUYMun]

Is there any way to tell in advance which journeys are operated by the 1400s? Seat61 suggests there is some ambiguity.

I have the diagrams, which were up to date from 28th June, as posted on the "Porto & Douro Valley 1400s, Wine & Craft Beer with a splash of Alcos" Facebook group.

 

[notverydeep]

Note that there are sometimes cases of 1400s being substituted for units. I was in the Douro for a few days this summer and we observed IR861 / 866 to be a unit throughout on one day (8 August), but a 1400 the next. There was also some significant delay that day due to a 1400 failure on a later train.