Description

Portugal is one of the poorest countries in the EC but the railway network boasts considerable diversity and appeal, featuring both broad and narrow gauge systems; much of it single tracked. Produced with the full co-operation of Portuguese Railways, this unique programme provides a brand new and definitive guide to this fascinating country.

• Although today there is no longer any steam to found this is more than compensated by some of the unique diesel classes including the class 1800 the ‘English Electric 50s’ which are featured working between Barreiro and Faro on the Algarve.

• There’s also the equally interesting 1948 USA built 1500 class Alco locos, and some colourful electric classes working the Lisbon to Porto services.

• As well as express and local passenger services there’s also plenty of freight featured, including triple heading on Sines coal trains.

• The extensive and highly scenic Douro narrow gauge network is also looked at in detail, including a visit to Regua where dumped steam locos slowly rust away, plus some unique steam archive.

• Major locations include:- Porto, Lisbon, Entroncamento, Setúbal, Barreiro (with a visit to the works), Pinhal Novo, Sines & the Algarve. Lisbon – Porto, plenty of main line action on this high speed 25kv AC electrified route. Barreiro – Faro, this attractive route is the regular home ground of the 1800 class which works the daily passenger service. The Douro Valley line, characteristic rural broad gauge services (both freight and passenger) are contrasted with the interconnecting narrow gauge line to Mirandela.

Suburban services around Lisbon, Barriero and Porto are featured. Main line freight and freight only branch lines from Sines are both examined in detail.

• Loco classes:- 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1551, 1800, 1900, 1931, 1961, 2500, 2551, 2600, 5600, plus various diesel rail cars, including the famous NOHAB rail cars built in 1948.