• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

[Portugal] Old locomotive will be refurbished back to operation.

Status
Not open for further replies.

37201xoIM

Member
Joined
29 Apr 2016
Messages
334
That's pretty good news, Guigiaro - even if I doubt I'll ever grow to love the 0450s... The 'hydrogenisation' of the 9630s sounds like a vote of confidence in the future of the Vouga narrow-gauge, I would hope?!

Thanks as ever for the gen.
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

AndrewE

Established Member
Joined
9 Nov 2015
Messages
5,072
The 'hydrogenisation' of the 9630s sounds like a vote of confidence in the future of the Vouga narrow-gauge, I would hope?
Either that, or a self-contained experiment which will use European funding to try out something which might fly, but maybe won't?
Whether it does or not, I don't disapprove: it will support technical employment in a remote part of Europe (and the development of necessary technology.) The management, lead technicians and workers - and apprentices - will all have had employment in a worthwhile field and will be ready and experienced to go where the next development is happening. They won't be having to make the same mistakes all over again (-if anyone listens to them.)
 

Giugiaro

Member
Joined
4 Nov 2011
Messages
1,129
Location
Valongo - Portugal
Just a quick note, as we continue working on refurbishment of rolling stock...

New swords for our Sentinels!

1639672894693.png

The joy on the Portuguese minister for planning and infrastructures is just too cute!
 

37201xoIM

Member
Joined
29 Apr 2016
Messages
334
That is very, very hellfire on several levels. Wish we could have a minister like that...
 

37201xoIM

Member
Joined
29 Apr 2016
Messages
334
Trusting this isn't too off-topic for this thread about the rejuvenation of Portugal's railways, Railway Gazette this week carried what to me was a very pleasant surprise in the form of reporting that the out-of-use (or ECS-only, I think?) central section of the Vouga metre-gauge line between Oliveira and Sernada is to be restored to passenger use:
(sorry, I think the article requires a login - albeit that this is free)

But perhaps even more enticing / tantalising is this closing comment:
... and the national PNI2030 capital programme has suggested that up to €100m could be spent reactivating sections of moribund narrow gauge railway around the country.
Which makes me wonder which sections this could possibly encompass? (Reasonably confident it won't be Tua or Sabor...!)

I'd love to know more!
 

Richard Scott

Established Member
Joined
13 Dec 2018
Messages
3,673
Saw somewhere that 1432 also back in service, is this correct? If so how many 1400s and 2600s are now in regular service with CP?
 

Giugiaro

Member
Joined
4 Nov 2011
Messages
1,129
Location
Valongo - Portugal
Saw somewhere that 1432 also back in service, is this correct?

I can confirm that Nr. 1432 was back in service on December 30th.
If I'm not mistaken, another one took her place to be refurbished over the next few months.

Meanwhile at Guifões we started working on Nr. 1159 and Nr. 9005.

EDIT: Also this week: Numbers 2604, 2609, 2622 and 2629 are going to be shipped to Porto.
 
Last edited:

JKF

Member
Joined
29 May 2019
Messages
675
Trusting this isn't too off-topic for this thread about the rejuvenation of Portugal's railways, Railway Gazette this week carried what to me was a very pleasant surprise in the form of reporting that the out-of-use (or ECS-only, I think?) central section of the Vouga metre-gauge line between Oliveira and Sernada is to be restored to passenger use:
(sorry, I think the article requires a login - albeit that this is free)

But perhaps even more enticing / tantalising is this closing comment:

Which makes me wonder which sections this could possibly encompass? (Reasonably confident it won't be Tua or Sabor...!)

I'd love to know more!
Amarante had been long touted for reopening, though I believe they were looking at a standard gauge conversion like they did with Guimeraes.

I believe one of the problems with the central and northern parts of the Vouga is that the units that were cascaded from Porto metre gauge services (when that system was converted to Metro) are too heavy for the unballasted track of that line, and this has caused issues and speed limitations. The line (like much of the metre gauge system) is extremely winding and slow, built cheaply in this way to avoid expensive tunnels, bridges and earthworks where possible. It needs serious work to make it run at the sort of speed acceptable for modern transport.
 

37201xoIM

Member
Joined
29 Apr 2016
Messages
334
Amarante had been long touted for reopening, though I believe they were looking at a standard gauge conversion like they did with Guimeraes.

I believe one of the problems with the central and northern parts of the Vouga is that the units that were cascaded from Porto metre gauge services (when that system was converted to Metro) are too heavy for the unballasted track of that line, and this has caused issues and speed limitations. The line (like much of the metre gauge system) is extremely winding and slow, built cheaply in this way to avoid expensive tunnels, bridges and earthworks where possible. It needs serious work to make it run at the sort of speed acceptable for modern transport.
Interesting point - yes, Amarante does sound plausible, doesn't it.

Thanks for the equally interesting gen about the Vouga line - I didn't know that about the units not being that suitable. As you say, MG lines are often as you describe in terms of their alignment, but let's hope one at least has rolling stock that's capable of running at whatever linespeed the alignment will allow!
 

Giugiaro

Member
Joined
4 Nov 2011
Messages
1,129
Location
Valongo - Portugal
If so how many (...) 2600s are now in regular service with CP?
Currently active: 2601 / 2602 / 2605 / 2607 / 2610 / 2611 / 2612 / 2623 / 2626 / 2627
Undergoing reactivation: 2603 / 2628
Awaiting reactivation: 2624
Shipped to Porto for reactivation in February 2nd: 2604 / 2609 / 2622 / 2629
Remaining in reserve at Entroncamento: 2606 / 2608 / 2621 / 2625

If so how many 1400s (...) are now in regular service with CP?
Currently active (regional): 1413 / 1415 / 1424 / 1429 / 1432 / 1435 / 1438 / 1455 / 1461
Currently active (shunting): 1408 / 1427
In reserve: 1442 / 1447 / 1451 / 1454 / 1457
Parts donor: 1411 / 1419
 

Richard Scott

Established Member
Joined
13 Dec 2018
Messages
3,673
Currently active: 2601 / 2602 / 2605 / 2607 / 2610 / 2611 / 2612 / 2623 / 2626 / 2627
Undergoing reactivation: 2603 / 2628
Awaiting reactivation: 2624
Shipped to Porto for reactivation in February 2nd: 2604 / 2609 / 2622 / 2629
Remaining in reserve at Entroncamento: 2606 / 2608 / 2621 / 2625


Currently active (regional): 1413 / 1415 / 1424 / 1429 / 1432 / 1435 / 1438 / 1455 / 1461
Currently active (shunting): 1408 / 1427
In reserve: 1442 / 1447 / 1451 / 1454 / 1457
Parts donor: 1411 / 1419
Thank you for that. Slightly off topic but is there a list of locos stored at Entroncamento that are visible from passing trains?
 

Richard Scott

Established Member
Joined
13 Dec 2018
Messages
3,673
@Richard Scott not that I know of. Since it's quite a large place with constant movement, whatever is visible from the mainline will depend a lot on what is or isn't parked that day.

You can have a look at Google Maps. There's rolling stock here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Thanks for info. Managed to ID most stored locos when I went past but missed a few. If they move them around then can't be certain anyway.
 

JKF

Member
Joined
29 May 2019
Messages
675
Thanks for info. Managed to ID most stored locos when I went past but missed a few. If they move them around then can't be certain anyway.
I made a video on my phone when passing a couple of years back, calling out the numbers as I passed. Someone on the Portuguese railway appreciation group on facebook helped me fill in the gaps. There’s quite a lot of stuff that doesn’t move much, but in the last year or two a few locos have been dragged out for revival. Keeping old stock sat around for more than a decade seems quite astute now.
 

jamieP

Member
Joined
27 Feb 2012
Messages
298
Sorry if this has been answered further back but does anyone know what services from Porto are currently loco hauld?
 

peteb

Member
Joined
30 Mar 2011
Messages
1,073
Sorry if this has been answered further back but does anyone know what services from Porto are currently loco hauld?
Currently IC services to Lisbon, IR services to Pocinho, IR services to Valenca and Figurez de Fos and some extended IC services from Lisbon.
 

Giugiaro

Member
Joined
4 Nov 2011
Messages
1,129
Location
Valongo - Portugal
And, as a result of the efforts taken by CP to restore it's rolling stock to stabilise the service and have surplus for occasional demand peaks, PTG Tours is back to Portugal this year, after a 6 year long hiatus.

The 8 day program for late October 2022 can be seen here.
 

Giugiaro

Member
Joined
4 Nov 2011
Messages
1,129
Location
Valongo - Portugal
3 years and 5 months later, the last of the 13 Schindlers that arrived at an abandoned Guifões Workshop has returned back to service!

1654165522309.png
1654165533821.png
 

Sans Pareil

Member
Joined
25 Sep 2019
Messages
9
Location
The far east - aka East Anglia!
By chance me and the wife are in Porto next week and have only just learned of the superb train along the scenic Douro valley, especially so given the work done on locos and carriages. Great work! Its tempted us in to a trip, if it was a unit I wont have bothered.

Are all workings now loco hauled 1400+Schindlers? Probably looking at the 07.25 or 08.25 from Porto next Wednesday?

I also read there's risk of strike action in June. Hopefully I avoid any disruption as we also travel onwards to Lisbon and Faro by train.
 

BahrainLad

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2015
Messages
311
The strike is more of a work to rule, and doesn’t seem to be affecting long distance IC and AP services. I travelled from Tunes (in the Algarve) to Lisbon yesterday morning and it was perfectly normal. In fact the train was full of American tourists heading on a cruise and a group of airline passengers who’d had their flights from Faro cancelled!

Also you want the IR services on the Douro line for loco hauling, the others are multiple units.
 

Sans Pareil

Member
Joined
25 Sep 2019
Messages
9
Location
The far east - aka East Anglia!
OK thanks, so on the plus side I am looking at IR's along the Douro (so thats good), but the work to rule then might affect such IR services then hmm? I guess you would hope if the train runs out it will then at least come back. Not like theres the risk of getting stuck at Pocinho?
 

Giugiaro

Member
Joined
4 Nov 2011
Messages
1,129
Location
Valongo - Portugal
Are all workings now loco hauled 1400+Schindlers? Probably looking at the 07.25 or 08.25 from Porto next Wednesday?

Rotations with "Miradouro" style trains running in the Douro Line.
I haven't seen the 17:25 departing from Campanhã being done with loco-hauled trains. Not sure if this has changed recently.
There are also new Porto - Pinhão services throughout the Summer for a shorter leg, increasing the number of trains between Porto and Régua. Can't say for sure if these are all done with loco-hauled trains.
(Last year trains except the R's and the IR's bound just for Régua were made with loco-hauled trains, so maybe it's going to be like this any time soon...)

I also read there's risk of strike action in June. Hopefully I avoid any disruption as we also travel onwards to Lisbon and Faro by train.

The strike is for particular excessive work routines. You'd have to be very unlucky to get a train with a driver or a conductor going on strike.

The conditions for the strike are the following:
- Any overtime work;
- Work on public holidays;
- Work when supposedly is the weekly resting day;
- Work when resting time should be taken, as mandated by the Company Labour Agreement.
- Every eighth hour of work every day.
 

Sans Pareil

Member
Joined
25 Sep 2019
Messages
9
Location
The far east - aka East Anglia!
Rotations with "Miradouro" style trains running in the Douro Line.
I haven't seen the 17:25 departing from Campanhã being done with loco-hauled trains. Not sure if this has changed recently.
There are also new Porto - Pinhão services throughout the Summer for a shorter leg, increasing the number of trains between Porto and Régua. Can't say for sure if these are all done with loco-hauled trains.
(Last year trains except the R's and the IR's bound just for Régua were made with loco-hauled trains, so maybe it's going to be like this any time soon...)



The strike is for particular excessive work routines. You'd have to be very unlucky to get a train with a driver or a conductor going on strike.

The conditions for the strike are the following:
- Any overtime work;
- Work on public holidays;
- Work when supposedly is the weekly resting day;
- Work when resting time should be taken, as mandated by the Company Labour Agreement.
- Every eighth hour of work every day.
Thanks for the responses and detailed info!

So according to the link and info kindly given here the 07.25/08.25 and return from Porto *should* be a safe bet for loco hauled. Maybe if we go for the 07.25 it might be less busy. As we are going earlier in the day we wont be too fussed what the 17.25 turn is thankfully :)
 

Giugiaro

Member
Joined
4 Nov 2011
Messages
1,129
Location
Valongo - Portugal
@Sans Pareil if you wouldn't mind a suggestion, would you rather go later and have a nice lunch at Pocinho?
If you depart from Porto São Bento at 8:20 or 9:20, you should arrive at about the time the "Taberna da Julinha" opens.
The food in this tiny tavern is incredible and an absolute treat! About one and a half hours will be needed for the meal, so the return should be done preferentially on the train departing at 15:12.

It requires a reservation, as the place is quite small so it gets fully booked very easily.
 

Sans Pareil

Member
Joined
25 Sep 2019
Messages
9
Location
The far east - aka East Anglia!
@Sans Pareil if you wouldn't mind a suggestion, would you rather go later and have a nice lunch at Pocinho?
If you depart from Porto São Bento at 8:20 or 9:20, you should arrive at about the time the "Taberna da Julinha" opens.
The food in this tiny tavern is incredible and an absolute treat! About one and a half hours will be needed for the meal, so the return should be done preferentially on the train departing at 15:12.

It requires a reservation, as the place is quite small so it gets fully booked very easily.

Thanks @Giugiaro for your ongoing help.
 
Last edited:

Sans Pareil

Member
Joined
25 Sep 2019
Messages
9
Location
The far east - aka East Anglia!
@Sans Pareil if you wouldn't mind a suggestion, would you rather go later and have a nice lunch at Pocinho?
If you depart from Porto São Bento at 8:20 or 9:20, you should arrive at about the time the "Taberna da Julinha" opens.
The food in this tiny tavern is incredible and an absolute treat! About one and a half hours will be needed for the meal, so the return should be done preferentially on the train departing at 15:12.

It requires a reservation, as the place is quite small so it gets fully booked very easily.
I think we will have to see regarding stopping for a longer break in Pocinho. I hear there is now a strike the next day and we dont want to get stranded.

Consulte aqui os serviços mínimos para os feriados de 10, 13, 16, 24 e 28 de junho
So I assume on these dates there is now a full strike? On the 16th we should travel Porto>Lisbon on IC730. IC730 is listed under service minimal. So does this mean we have nothing to worry about, this train will run?


1654896008017.png

Thanks @Giugiaro for your ongoing help.
 
Last edited:

Giugiaro

Member
Joined
4 Nov 2011
Messages
1,129
Location
Valongo - Portugal
So I assume on these dates there is now a full strike?

The strikes for this month are honestly hard to understand. I know that June 10 and 16 are public holidays, one of the main targets for 24H strikes.
The disruptions start at the end of the previous day and propagate to the next day of the strike date, as the fleet gets geographically skewed and trains aren't where they are supposed to be.

So does this mean we have nothing to worry about, this train will run?

The court has decreed those minimum services, so they have to happen.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top