Friday 15 October 2010

Portugal

The famous Lisbon route 28

The two main tramway cities of Portugal are Lisbon and Porto. Sadly both systems are shadows of their former selves, indeed Porto's is just a token tourist service though a modern light rail system is also in operation.
Two of the 1995 vintage Artics on route 15

Lisbon has five routes and has mooted the reopening of a sixth for many years - all on an unusual 90cm gauge. They have 10 low floor articulated cars for route 15 and 39 'Remodelados" which are reequipped versions of the traditional Brill inspired four wheel cars for the 12, 15, 18, 25 and 28. Eleven unmodified "700 series" traditional cars remain in stock and see intermittent use when Remodelados are not available - though two are dedicated as Christmas Trams.
Remodelados 541 at Commercio
Car 717 leaves Lisbon Santa Amaro Depot

A tourist tram route operates and six more Remodelados are dedicated to this. Two earlier cars renumbered from the 700 series remain in stock as do the two original tourist cars which are now museum fleet cars.
Tourist Tram 8 leaves Commercio

Porto has three routes - which connect with each other and need four cars at any one time. Most are four wheelers, the odd bogie car is active and there are three dedicated tour cars and several private hire cars.

Porto Tourist Tram 203 and Main fleet 216
Metro Do Porto Eurotram
Further posts will explore the different routes and trams of Lisbon and Portugal. In the meantime photogalleries can be found here