portugal railways

[timstours]

has anybody got any tips on what to see in the porto area please ,and if its ok to take photos

 

[rf_ioliver]

We were there about seven years ago when they were rebuilding the Braga and Guimares lines, since then there's been quite an expansion around Porto with the extensive metro/tram and commuter lines. Not sure the situation with the line to Vigo in Spain, nor the Douro valley line and branch lines. There was also a narrow guage line south of Porto parallel(ish) to the main line.

Beautiful place and strongly recommend taking a look at the traditional tiling at Porto's main station.

Never had any problems with phtography and the drivers/staff seems to appreciate the interest (either that, or they were feeling sorry for yet more British trainspotters .

Enjoy!

Ian

 

[martinsh]

I read somewhere that all narrow gauge lines have now closed

 

[Giugiaro]

Let me help you.

The only Narrow Gauge line actually operational in Portugal is the "Vale do Vouga" Line which makes an arch around the "Norte" line between Aveiro and Espinho, with central stop at Macinhata do Vouga.

It is a "must do" since it is bound for closure pretty soon and it's close to Oporto. But, most of all, some of its characteristics are very archaic, something like rail technologies from the 70's still working today!!!


The better way to travel in this line is a full day plan in the Aveiro -> Espinho direction with stop at the Macinhata do Vouga's railway museum and a 15min walk from Macinhata to Sernada do Vouga. You have to get from Oporto to Aveiro and from Espinho back to Oporto in commuter. It's for me the best option since it makes it possible to visit the museum and have has much time has needed to visit all the places. (<- Not sure if I should use as... as or has... has)



Shortening the information, you have this option:

• CP Porto || Suburbano || Nº 15715/4
• Departure: São Bento (8:05 AM)
• Arrival: Aveiro (9:12 AM)

• CP Regional || Regional || Nº 5107
• Departure: Aveiro (9:53 AM)
• Arrival: Macinhata do Vouga (10:48 AM)

*Visit to Macinhata do Vouga Railway Museum*

*Walk from Macinhata do Vouga to Sernada do Vouga (ask the museum conservator if it's safe to go by rail)*

*Lunch at Sernada do Vouga and visit to the place, workshops, station, etc.*
Attention! The station's bar doesn't offer that much to eat, so it's crucial to buy something and bring it from Oporto or Aveiro

• CP Regional || Regional || Nº 5211
• Departure: Sernada do Vouga (2:52 PM)
• Arrival: Espinho-Vouga (5:01 PM)

*Visit to the city for a snack. Connection to the Espinho main station*

• CP Porto || Suburbano || Nº 15641/0
• Departure: Espinho (5:56 PM)
• Arrival: Porto São Bento (6:25 PM)

If there is anything more you want to ask, more particularly about the city of Oporto itself, just ask here and I'll answer you

About photography, the Portuguese are normally very tolerant to tourists in what concerns taking photos of they're notorious landmarks (and sometimes they just feel very proud about it), but things tend to get risky when giving to much attention to technical things in stations or filming trains, or other things out of general. Sometimes the security gets to harsh (like here, at 0:20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV77LM8_D18 ) so the best thing is to always inform the security and the stationmaster about your intentions before anything.

 

[Gordon]

I second Guigiaro's view, although what he says about technologies from the 70s could be said to be more like the 50s or 60s (apart from the traction)! Do go and see a traditional Portuguese narrow gauge line before it is too late. I visited in 1971 (aged 11) with may famous photographer uncle and family - and visited again in 1979 - 81 when the service was operated by 1954 Allan (Dutch) railcars but some older (1930s?) ‘bus on rails’ railcars and steam engines were still stored in the open at Sernada.

A question for Guigiaro – does the line still cross the river on the joint road rail bridge where the track is embedded in the tarmac?

 

[Dampflok]

Sadly, I haven't been back to Portugal for many years, but did visit in 1969 and again in 1970. There were some wonderful things still about in those days and photography was certainly not a problem.

If you would like to have a look as to how it was then, here's a link to the appropriate gallery on my SmugMug site - still many more pictures to add:

http://plumbloco.smugmug.com/Trains/Spain-Portugal/16749950_4MNXfB

and here's a sample shot at the joint narrow gauge and broad gauge station at Espinho:



Cheers, Geoff

 

[Giugiaro]

A question for Guigiaro – does the line still cross the river on the joint road rail bridge where the track is embedded in the tarmac?

Still does and still works has a level crossing.


Jafafe de Cima by Giugiaro21, on Flickr




And note: In railways, Portugal tend to be around 10 or 20 years late compared to England, so saying that in the Vouga line there is technology from the 70's, in Great Britain it is more 50's, not mentioning the way the rail is mounted in almost half the course, completely XIX century style. (No ballast at all)




CP 9630 by Giugiaro21, on Flickr

 

[Gordon]

Superb - thanks for that Guigiaro.

I recall waiting on the 'river beach' to photograph a steam train on the bridge in 1971 while the local women did the clothes washing in the river.

You'll find pictures - perhaps taken by my uncle - in the Middleton Press book:
http://www.motorbooks.co.uk/notes.asp?bookid=97743

 

[Mike Williams]

The line to Guimaraes has been widened to iberian gauge, the line to Braga now electrified and re-aligned for pendolino operation. The rest of the former metre-gauge suburban system is now a standard gauge metro system. The Vouga system is a must - go there 3-4 times a year and still find something different, especially since they cut all the undergrowth back last year. Trip to Valenca worth a day, as is the Douro line - dont expect to do the whole line to Pocinho in one day! Workshops are at Guifoes - middle of nowhere and difficult to access without prior arrangement, maintenance depot is at Contimuel, but more interesting freight yard is at Vila Nova de Gaia station - just above the port lodges. Dont forget the old tram system along the river front, and the new funicular up from the base of the Dom Luiz bridge.

 

[timstours]

thank you verybody for your advice and tips about the area
i was going to do the douro river line ,but if pochino is too far for a day trip perhaps i will go only to regua.
also will go to coimbra to see the trolleybuses.

 

[Gordon]

Although there are some nice river views beyond Regua you should still find that going as far as Regua gives you the true Douro valley experience. I did Livracao - Regua and back in 1971 (we were camping at Amarante), out with a CP 1400, back with Henschel Pacific 553 (now preserved).

In the 80s I also did Pocinho - Barca d'Alva - Salamanca, but I've never done Regua - Pocinho by train (only by car to get to the Sabor steam line)

 

[Giugiaro]

Douro line - dont expect to do the whole line to Pocinho in one day!

Well. It's possible to do the full line from Porto São Bento to Pocinho and back in one day. In a weekend it would correspond to the next plan:

• CP Regional || Inter-Regional || Nº 861
• Departure: Campanhã (7:30 AM)
• Arrival: Pocinho (10:35 AM)

-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlDGkR9b0uk


*Visit to Pocinho Rail Station and the abandoned road-rail bridge over the Douro River. Lunch on a Restaurant on the way between the bridge and the station. Lunch first before going anywhere* (Almost 2:54 hours before departing to Régua on the 872)


In case it's Saturday and not Official Holiday:

• CP Regional || Inter Regional || Nº 872
• Departure: Pocinho (1:25 PM)
• Arrival: Régua (2:46 PM)

In case it's Sunday and/or Official Holiday

• CP Regional || Inter Regional || Nº 876
• Departure: Pocinho (3:44 PM)
• Arrival: Régua (5:07 PM)

-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgytGVfNqD4
-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCRmGKfP90w (Until 5:04)

*Snack at Régua and visit around the rail area.* (Almost 2:54 hours before departing to Porto on the 962 if you arrive at Régua on the 876)
Note: The station café charges a lot so it's better to find a café or pastry around the area.

• CP Regional || Inter Regional || Nº 962
• Departure: Régua (7:21 PM)
• Arrival: Porto São Bento (9:10 PM)

-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCRmGKfP90w (Starting at 5:04)


Railstock: Camelos (Leased Renfe 592 DMU's) Literally meaning "Camels"

Note: Video footage from year 2006~2008.

 

[Mike Williams]

Thanks Guigiaro, will be in the north of Portugal myself in 3 weeks time, so will try Oporto-Pocinho & back before it is closed and stripped. Pity I can't do the last 28Km (20mls) into Barca D'Alva. 600,000 euros made available to CP/CGFT in 2008, and by the time they had paid all the consultants, there was no money left to repair a single cm of track!
Just think what we could have done with £450,000.