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[PT] Electrification of the Algarve Line - Current Status?
- Thread starter chrisjo
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zwk500
Veteran Member
If I'm reading their Network Statement correctly, it's now in full operation.
Hmm....thanks, I'll plough through that in due course.
Meantime I had a reply from someone on the ground through a Faro travel forum which says that there's no sign of any electric trains on the line yet, apart from occasional test vehicles, and bits of the OHLE are still being twiddled with.
Meantime I had a reply from someone on the ground through a Faro travel forum which says that there's no sign of any electric trains on the line yet, apart from occasional test vehicles, and bits of the OHLE are still being twiddled with.
zwk500
Veteran Member
I just did a really quick ctrl+f search for 'Algarve' and it jumped (after a couple of other hits) to an appendix summarising the infrastructure capability line-by-line, where the full length of the 'Algarve' line was listed as 25KV AC Electrification.
It's very possible that the document was updated prior to full commissioning. I'd certainly trust 'eyes on the ground' above a very singular listing in a Network statement.
It's very possible that the document was updated prior to full commissioning. I'd certainly trust 'eyes on the ground' above a very singular listing in a Network statement.
Sir Felix Pole
Established Member
'Today's Railways' suggested it would start on 22/02, but that is clearly not the case. One of the morning services from Faro to Lisbon is to start back from Vila Real de S.A. with electrification, but it is still shown as a connection.
BahrainLad
Member
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- 3 Aug 2015
- Messages
- 410
Do they have the right rolling stock!?
Electric trains delayed again on Algarve line despite works being completed – Portugal Resident
The long-awaited introduction of electric trains along the full length of the Algarve railway line has been postponed once again.
www.portugalresident.com
The long-awaited introduction of electric trains along the full length of the Algarve railway line has been postponed once again, despite infrastructure works having been completed months ago.
The electrification of the Linha do Algarve was expected to be completed at the beginning of March, but the rollout has been delayed due to pending certification and safety approvals. Neither Portugal’s infrastructure authority (IP) nor the mobility and transportation institute (IMT) has provided a clear explanation for the setback, according to Público newspaper.
Previous statements by Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz in parliament last November pointed to the works being completed since at least October. At the time, only driver training and final safety certification were said to be pending, with electrification expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2026.
However, IMT has stated that IP only submitted the formal request for Authorisation for Entry into Service (AES) for the Energy subsystem of the Algarve line on January 21. The legal review period is still ongoing.
IP, for its part, said merely that “testing and certification procedures are currently underway in coordination with the National Railway Safety Authority (ANSF), with the aim of ensuring that all safety and compliance procedures are rigorously fulfilled, guaranteeing the reliability and efficiency of the electrified line,” according to Público.
The electrification project dates back to 2016, when it was included in the Ferrovia 2020 programme, with completion initially scheduled for the third quarter of 2021.
In reality, works only began in late 2021 on the Faro–Vila Real de Santo António section, and in mid-2022 on the Tunes–Lagos stretch. At the time, IP officials promised electric trains would be running to Vila Real de Santo António by the end of 2023, allowing Intercidades and Alfa Pendular services to extend beyond Faro to the eastern end of the line.
However, that deadline slipped repeatedly. Intercidades services are now unable to cross the Tavira bridge due to infrastructure limitations that were not addressed in time. While CP – Comboios de Portugal had prepared new timetables and trained drivers for electric multiple units, the revised service – which would include more frequent and faster trains without requiring transfers in Faro – remains on hold.
Successive infrastructure ministers – including Pedro Nuno Santos and João Galamba – announced revised completion dates over the years. Most recently, Miguel Pinto Luz assured that electric traction would become a reality in early 2026, putting an end to what he described as “repeatedly postponed promises.”
For now, however, no authority is committing to a new date for the start of electric operations along Portugal’s southernmost railway line, the newspaper adds.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
The test train that ran in the summer of 2025 was a 2240.
I've just come across an article from September last year that says:
"We are almost at the point of entry to the commercial service of the electrification of the Algarve line, where CP will move the UTE 2240 of the regional service ...... CP already prepared part of this fleet a few months ago, removing the UTE 2240 from the suburbans of the Sado line thus saving three units, but it is not yet enough ...."
The rest of the article is more speculative, but it makes for interesting reading.
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Sir Felix Pole
Established Member
The European Rail Timetable Newsletter (Friday) suggests that electric services will commence to Lagos and Vila Real on July 19th. Can't link as on mobile.
In other vaguely related Portuguese news, Talgo have partially accepted liability for the S106 'Avril' fiasco. 15 of the sets are to be converted to variable gauge for use on Madrid - Badajoz - Lisbon and Vigo - Porto. Announcement is on the Talgo website - again can't link.
In other vaguely related Portuguese news, Talgo have partially accepted liability for the S106 'Avril' fiasco. 15 of the sets are to be converted to variable gauge for use on Madrid - Badajoz - Lisbon and Vigo - Porto. Announcement is on the Talgo website - again can't link.
Interesting. As things stand, Madrid - Badajoz - Lisboa and Vigo - Porto services can be broad gauge only, though if ever ADIF build beyond Toledo towards Talavera de la Reina/Caceres they might need a gauge changer and some variable gauge stock.
Algarve to get end-to-end electric trains from July 19 – Portugal Resident
Electric trains will operate across the entire Algarve railway from July 19, bringing direct Lagos–Vila Real de Santo António services.
www.portugalresident.com
Passengers will benefit from direct journeys, more services and shorter travel times, although late-night trains remain absent
Sir Felix Pole
Established Member
Yes, it is surprising news. I guess the sets will only be 'Alvia' speed (250 km/h) but at least the wheelsets will be more robust rather than the current lightweight affairs which have caused such rough-riding. Oscar Puente, Transport Minister, has threatened to bypass Toledo altogether with the LAV, so fed up is he with arguing local politicians.
I believe Vigo to Valenca (-Porto) is eventually planned to be new line, making Vigo Urzaiz a through station.
Flying_Turtle
Member
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However trains will end earlierAlgarve to get end-to-end electric trains from July 19 – Portugal Resident
Electric trains will operate across the entire Algarve railway from July 19, bringing direct Lagos–Vila Real de Santo António services.
Passengers will benefit from direct journeys, more services and shorter travel times, although late-night trains remain absent
Anyways, the OHL will become officially available on the 18th by 5pm on both sides, with train positioning for the new wtt expected to take place after that time.
2247 / 2255 / 2258 / 2267 / 2271 / 2273 / 2285 now moved to Vila Real de Santo António...
2240 — CP - Comboios de Portugal — Portugal Ferroviário
Centro de Comando Operacional — Portugal Ferroviário
www.portugalferroviario.net
Sir Felix Pole
Established Member
Is it the intention to run some of the Lisbon / Faro services to and from Vila Real in due course?
The article from Portugal Resident that I quoted a few days ago says:
Intercidades still won’t reach the eastern Algarve
The completion of the electrification project will also not allow Intercidades or Alfa Pendular services to continue beyond Faro to Vila Real de Santo António.According to Público, three ageing metal railway bridges at Faro, Tavira and Almargem cannot support locomotive-hauled Intercidades trains because they were not strengthened during the electrification works.
Infraestruturas de Portugal says a public tender to replace the bridges should be launched “within the next few weeks”.