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

[30907]

Amazing to hear about the recovered narrow gauge stock - would be nice if one of the Douro branches could be reinstated for historic stock on tourist trains.

The Railway Gazette article you linked recently refers to Livracao-Amarante being reopened (as well as a brand new direct route from nearer Porto ), though that is onepotentially a useful route rather than just a tourist one.
I suspect CP reckon maintaining the Vouga line for n/g historic workings is as much as they can manage.

 

[52290]

I wonder if any of the narrow gauge locos to be restored will include any of these Decauville 2-6-0 tanks. Here E96 is departing Sernada do Vouga for Aveiro in 1969. The Aveiro branch was entirely steam worked at that time.

 

[37201xoIM]

Is it just me, or do others also find that reading Giugiaro's updates has an affect comparable to taking Prozac...?!

Excellent news from Portugal - again. I hope we don't wake up and find this was all just a dream...

 

[JKF]

The Railway Gazette article you linked recently refers to Livracao-Amarante being reopened (as well as a brand new direct route from nearer Porto ), though that is onepotentially a useful route rather than just a tourist one.
I suspect CP reckon maintaining the Vouga line for n/g historic workings is as much as they can manage.

I do wonder if that will be narrow gauge, as some former narrow gauge have been rebuilt to standard gauge during upgrades or tram conversion. There was fairly recent talk of this happening with the northern section of the Vouga line, to become part of the Porto Metro area, though it‘ll take quite a bit of engineering to sort out the winding alignment and get the kind of speeds that will attract commuters (think it takes over an hour to get to Espinho currently)

 

[158722]

Given that we are nearly at the end of the year...

CP Traction Review 2020

1400s
CP; 1429 is now at Barreiro for R2 overhaul, expected to be completed around May/June 2021. Former Argentina-bound 1436 is on final tests and is expected out of repairs at Barreiro in January 2021, with the R2 overhaul completed on 1461 by Easter 2021, utilising parts donated from 1454. Along with the existing fleet of 1413, 1415, 1424, 1438 & 1455, these will form the pool of eight Douro passenger locos. 1408 & 1427 are to be retained as Lisbon pilots.
Also still CP owned, long stored and stripped 1414, 1419 & 1453 remain stored at Contumil, 1411, 1432, 1442, 1447, 1454 & 1457 at Barreiro works, 1451 at Figueira da Foz – the latter having thought to have been scrapped in 2015!

Medway; 1446 has almost completed the first in-house overhaul by Medway staff at Entroncamento and has already been repainted in a new version of the company livery, with 1428 currently also being overhauled. 1435 & 1437 are stored at Entroncamento since 2018 and early 2020 respectively, whilst 1462 has been stripped for parts. 1404, 1412, 1422, 1431, 1444, 1450, 1456, 1463, 1465 & 1466 have all been active in 2020, based at Entroncamento for maintenance and rotated between postings out to Porto, Lisbon/Bobadela and Poceirão. Of the company’s 15 locos, 13 are expected to be overhauled over the coming years.

Somafel; 1441 used on track repair projects during 2020, whilst 1464 believed to be stored at Oliveirinha.

Takargo; Both 1445 & 1449 have been stopped, being in poor condition and with Convel parts removed for the company’s MLWs.

1550s
CP; 1554 was restored to Emergency Train use during 2020, with two more examples rumoured to be following for use at Campolide and Contumil. The remaining fleet of 1553, 1554, 1555, 1559, 1560, 1562, 1569 & 1570 are stored at Entroncamento, with 1551 (stripped), 1558, 1564, 1566 & 1568 at Barreiro works.

Takargo; 1552 & 1565 were used in traffic during 2020, principally on traffic between Setubal docks and Coina/Auto Europa, with 1563 almost completed repairs. 1567 is stored at Poceirão as parts donor and not expected to run again.

1900s;
CP; 1901, 1908 & 1912 remain stored at Barreiro works.

Medway; 1903, 1905 & 1909 active in 2020, but 1903 was stopped as being out of kms in November. 1907 is being overhauled in-house by Medway staff at Entroncamento, with stored 1902, 1904, 1911 & 1913 expected to follow. Once completed, this pool of eight 1900s will allow withdrawal of the remaining 1930s and 1960s.
1930s;

CP; 1932, 1935, 1941, 1944 (all intact) & 1937, 1938, 1939 (stripped) remain stored at Barreiro works with 1940, 1946 & 1947 at Entroncamento.
Medway; 1943 was active in 2020, but along with 1942 & 1945, stored at Poceirão, it has now been stopped at Entroncamento. This means that there are currently no class 1930s active.

1960s;
Medway; 1962, 1963 & 1964 active in 2020, with 1965 to 1970 plus 1972 stored at Contumil, 1971 & 1973 at Entroncamento. The remaining active locos may have a relatively short time left in traffic and are becoming close to their km limit prior to overhaul, but Medway are certainly getting their use out of them and the trio have seen widespread use (including their debut on the Cascais line this week!)

2600/2620s
2601 and 2627 (the latter still without ETS) restored to full traffic, 2611 and 2607 completed and awaiting testing, 2623 mechanical/electrical repairs completed and loco painted, 2602 with repairs complete, awaiting painting and 2605 following with repairs underway. All seven are expected to be completed by January, with crew training and testing on the Minho line, prior to service introduction in March. Another five locos are planned to be restored in both 2021 and 2022, then the remaining four in 2023. Of these future possible overhauls, 2624 & 2626 are already at Contumil, with the remainder of the classes being at Entroncamento. 2610, 2612 & 2628 likely to be added to the list of five to be restored during 2021.

4700s
All have now undergone their first overhaul cycle and are in Medway livery.

5600s
CP; 5601, 5610, 5611 & 5612 were overhauled in 2020, with 5619 underway from November. Recently ex-works 5601 has a new type of radio fitted and is currently restricted to working Lisboa-Faro/Evora only. All 19 passenger sector locos were active during the year, whilst collision damaged 5613 remains stored at Entroncamento (irreparable cracked/bent underframe from the 2013 Alfarelos accident).
Medway; 5628 overhauled in 2020, all nine active locos now in Medway livery.

Alfas 4000
4007 is nearly ready from repairs (Level crossing collision with a truck in March), whilst 4005 remains stored at Entroncamento after the Soure accident - the driving car is considered beyond repair, but alternatives are being investigated.

 

[37201xoIM]

Excellent update - thanks a lot.

 

[Giugiaro]

I think this bit of news is worth sharing!

Yesterday, CP's Entroncamento Maintenance Unit brought back to life Nr. 64 of the Sorefame built CP Class 2050 EMU's.

This will be one of two "UTE" that will be making regular historical journeys between Lisbon-Rossio and Sintra.
The journeys will be done during off-peak hours at a special price and without intermediate stops.
And, at weekends, it will run in regular commuter services at regular prices.

Still, how this will pan out will depend a lot on how tourism will develop after the pandemic.

Each unit will cost only about £87k to repair into working condition, and where part of a batch of 10 meant for Argentina, that never got shipped.

Also, since Mr. Nuno Freitas became president of the Portuguese national railway company, a total of 46 vehicles have been return back into working condition.

Source of the news: Público (in Portuguese)


Source of the image: Wikipedia

 

[JKF]

Some great images of some of the work being done on restoring old stock at Contumil depot on this facebork post:

Manuel Moreira

Situação atual em Contumil

www.facebook.com

(sorry for sharing a Facebook link if that’s not good etiquette on this forum, but the pictures are not hosted elsewhere)

The carriage with yellow leatherette seating looks amazing, like something out of a Wes Anderson film. There’s a lot of pride going into this work. See if you can spot the British item in there too, recently recovered from a plinthing at Leixoes docks. It’s quite heartwarming to see what is happening in Portugal after years of the network being neglected and rundown.

CP will be running numerous ‘historico’ trains in the near future using a lot of this stock. I did the Vouga line historico a couple of years back and it was great, did most of the return trip sat on the veranda of the last coach. Hope I can get out there this summer.

 

[158722]

CP Traction Review April 2021

1400s
CP; 1429 is at Barreiro for R2 overhaul, expected to be completed around June 2021. 1436 has been active in the Porto fleet since the start of this year and will be joined by 1461 soon. This was released from overhaul at Barreiro earlier this month, but has been used on Lisboa SA pilot work so far – however, it requires remedial attention at Barreiro. Former Argentina-bound 1432 may be the next returnee after 1429, but this has not been fully confirmed. 1413 is currently out of service at Contumil with fire damage. This means that the active Porto fleet is currently 1408, 1415, 1424, 1436 and 1438, with 1427 & 1455 covering the Lisboa SA pilot turns. No change on the other stored loco status.

Medway; 1446 has still not completed the first in-house overhaul by Medway staff at Entroncamento and has been repainted in a new version of the company livery, with 1428 currently also being overhauled. 1435 & 1422 are stored at Entroncamento since 2018 and late 2020 respectively, whilst 1462 has been stripped for parts. Parts from 1422 were used to restore 1437 to service, after the former suffered an engine failure in December. 1463 is also out of service after a derailment/collision at Leixoes in March. 1404, 1412, 1431, 1437, 1444, 1450, 1456, 1465 & 1466 have all been active in 2021, based at Entroncamento for maintenance and rotated between postings out to Porto, Lisbon/Bobadela and Poceirão. Of the company’s 15 locos, 13 are expected to be overhauled over the coming years.

Takargo; 1445 has been restored to operational condition, but without Convel and is used as a shunter at Alverca.


1550s
CP; 1554 was restored to Emergency Train use during late 2020, but it suffered from water ingress into the TMs and has spent several weeks back at Barreiro under repair. It returned to Entroncamento in early April, allowing 1413 to return to Porto. No change on the CP stored locos.

Takargo; 1552 & 1565 continue in service, principally on traffic between Setubal docks and Coina/Auto Europa. Last week, 1563 completed repairs at Entroncamento and was moved to Alverca for cab interior modifications and a repaint. 1567 is stored at Poceirão as parts donor and not expected to run again.

1900s;
CP; 1901, 1908 & 1912 remain stored at Barreiro works.

Medway; Active locos 1903, 1905 & 1909 have been joined by 1907 after overhaul, in-house by Medway staff at Entroncamento. 1907 wears Medway’s new black livery. One of the stored locos, 1902, 1904, 1911 & 1913, is expected to follow 1907 for overhaul and return to service, with the other three also to be done. Once completed, this pool of eight 1900s will allow withdrawal of the remaining 1930s and 1960s.


1930s;
CP; 1932, 1935, 1941, 1944 (all intact) & 1937, 1938, 1939 (stripped) remain stored at Barreiro works with 1940, 1946 & 1947 at Entroncamento.


Medway; 1942, 1943 & 1945, stored at Poceirão.


1960s;
Medway; 1962, 1963 & 1964 still active, with 1965 to 1972 stored at Contumil, 1973 at Entroncamento. The remaining active locos may have a relatively short time left in traffic and are becoming close to their km limit prior to overhaul, but Medway are certainly getting their use out of them and the trio have seen widespread use.

2600/2620s
2601, 2602, 2605, 2607, 2611, 2623 & 2627 all restored to full traffic after having undergone attention at Contumil and worked a mainline test run. Apart from a few specials, they have largely been used on ECS workings around Porto, but from this Sunday 25th, there will be three diagrams for the class on the Minho from Porto to Valença, covering all IR services (4 in each direction) plus the new Coimbra-Valença IR. Another five locos are planned to be restored in both 2021 and 2022, then the remaining four in 2023. Of these future overhauls, 2626, 2610 and 2612 are already in Contumil undergoing work with 2626 almost ready. 2624, 2628 and 2603 should be the next three and are at Contumil too. All other locos are still stored at Entroncamento. The plan is still to restore five locos in 2021 and 2022, with the last four in 2023, although three locos, 2621, 2625 and 2629, are known to be in a very poor state. Aside from the Minho, the intention is to use the locos on the two pairs of IR services to Tomar, then probably on the Beira Baixa IC services with Arco coaches.

4700s
All have now undergone their first overhaul cycle and are in Medway livery.

5600s
CP; 5604 has been overhauled in 2021, with 5603 underway now.


Alfas 4000
4007 is back in service after a level crossing collision with a truck in March 2020, whilst 4005 remains stored at Entroncamento after the Soure accident - one driving car is considered beyond repair and it seems that the set is now withdrawn.

Schindlers Coaches; 12 in service, 7 undergoing overhaul at Guifões

Sorefame Coaches (Unrefurbished); 3 FO and 2 SO in service, two more FO to follow

Arco coaches; delays in completing overhauls on the first vehicles mean none are available for the Minho Regionals from 25th April, so these services will be spare IC Corail vehicles – 3 sets of three.

Narrow Gauge; Alsthom diesel 9005 or 9006 to be restored to service to join 9004 on the Vouga. Allan railcars 9305 & 9310 moved to Guifões works for restoration – 9310 having been restored by staff at Sernada depot some years ago, so it is in good conditions. Nohabs 9102 and 9103 also to be moved from Livração to Guifões with one likely to return to service on the Vouga. The first two restored ex-Tua Napolitana coaches were delivered to the Vouga thus week. Steam loco E214 to work historic steam specials on the Vouga on April 25th and perhaps other dates after this.

 

[martinr1]

Very interesting - thanks for the info. Good to see the news about the narrow gauge developments - most encouraging

 

[Giugiaro]

Current state of the Arcos:

 

[JKF]

The Vouga Historical train has been out this weekend, steam hauled by E214. There has been a lot of press coverage of yesterday’s run which appeared to be well patronised, hopefully this will encourage more services, particularly with the additional stock being restored by CP. I’m hoping they can bring some historical services to the northern section as I have family living next to that line, but lack of runaround facilities at Espinho is a barrier to this at present.

interesting to here that another 9000 series is to be returned to service, the two remaining at Guifões look in quite a state, but the standard of restoration being undertaken in the workshops there (and at Contumil) has been outstanding so I’m sure it can be managed.

 

[Giugiaro]

The first three refurbished Arco coaches will be presented to the public in June 14th.

Although unfinished (and far from being ready to enter service) all passenger equipment should be operational for a static demonstration.

The first Schindler car with retrofitted automatic closing doors is in it's final days from being shipped.
The doors remain the same folding ones originally fitted, but now will have a pneumatic and mechanic system for closing and locking the doors, with local and remote control.

 

[Giugiaro]

At the moment CP is in negotiations to buy either the SNCF Corail B6Dux or SNCB I11 BDx cab cars. The quote is for a fleet of 10 units.

There's also plans to buy 4 additional Arco coaches from Spain.

All three situations are pending due to COVID restrictions.

EDIT: I mistakenly wrote M4 ADx instead of I11 BDx.

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

At the moment CP is in negotiations to buy either the SNCF Corail B6Dux or SNCB M4 ADx cab cars.

How would they be converted to broad gauge?

 

[Giugiaro]

The Corails can have their Y32 bogeys replaced by Y32P ones, while the I11 can have the bogey enlarged.

 

[MarcVD]

At the moment CP is in negotiations to buy either the SNCF Corail B6Dux or SNCB I11 BDx cab cars. The quote is for a fleet of 10 units.

There's also plans to buy 4 additional Arco coaches from Spain.

All three situations are pending due to COVID restrictions.

EDIT: I mistakenly wrote M4 ADx instead of I11 BDx.

I would be very surprised that SNCB would sell those cars. 10 of them means almost half the fleet, and Infrablel is busy removing all "unnecessary" switches, which means that in lots of terminus stations, it won't be possible anymore to turn a loco around. SNCB aims to use only fully reversible trains. In this context, those cars cannot be disposed of.

 

[btrs]

@MarcVD is absolutely correct: the I11 control-cars are needed until the (motored?) M7 stock finally gets the all-clear for Luxembourg operations.

In my opinion, the Corail B6Dux cars would be a no-brainer: largely the same profile as the Spanish coaches (which were also based on Corail-coaches), bogies could even be exchanged for GC-1 for that matter. As for the push-pull system, all B6Dux (or variants thereof) trailers have been equipped with the MUX2 TDM-system from 2007 onwards to operate with the BB4400kW locos (BB7200R/BB15000R/BB22200R). MUX2 is a TDM-system in a similar fashion to ZWS/WTB that can send the commands over the 13-pole UIC-cable, also used for passenger announcements.

Only problem is that the 2600 locos need to be equipped with this system. Or if they plan to operate with 5600 locos as well, they also need to be equipped. My guess is that being of German origin (EuroSprinter), they won't have ZWS but will have ZDS (double-traction control from the other loco).
Both systems could co-exist: CFL have equipped their 3000 series locos (=SNCB 13) with ZWS to operate push-pull Dosto's on Luxembourg-Arlon, but keeping the original MUX system intact for operating in double traction, either with Lineas machines or own 3000 series machines. But it will be technically complicated, so I think sticking with 2600-only operation is a better plan.

 

[Giugiaro]

The three first Arco coaches are nearing completion.
They should, anytime soon, leave the workshops for testing and homologation.
It's expected that the first service should take place by the end of September.
From here on out, it's expected for 2 to 3 cars to make it to the tracks every 2 months, finishing the fleet in about two years

Meanwhile the Schindler project is nearing its end, with the last car being assembled at the moment, only remaining three other coaches meant for the (Portuguese) National Railway Museum.

 

[BahrainLad]

Will the Arco be used on any specific routes?

 

[Giugiaro]

Will the Arco be used on any specific routes?

Atm, Figueira da Foz - Valença, via Coimbra-B and Porto-Campanhã.

An extension to Vigo might be possible if Spain shifts the power from 3kV CC to 25kV AC

BTW:

 

[37201xoIM]

Very nice, Giugiaro - and it would make a highly civilised way to travel in from Vigo: a bit of a step up from a Camello, methinks!

 

[158722]

@MarcVD is absolutely correct: the I11 control-cars are needed until the (motored?) M7 stock finally gets the all-clear for Luxembourg operations.

In my opinion, the Corail B6Dux cars would be a no-brainer: largely the same profile as the Spanish coaches (which were also based on Corail-coaches), bogies could even be exchanged for GC-1 for that matter. As for the push-pull system, all B6Dux (or variants thereof) trailers have been equipped with the MUX2 TDM-system from 2007 onwards to operate with the BB4400kW locos (BB7200R/BB15000R/BB22200R). MUX2 is a TDM-system in a similar fashion to ZWS/WTB that can send the commands over the 13-pole UIC-cable, also used for passenger announcements.

Only problem is that the 2600 locos need to be equipped with this system. Or if they plan to operate with 5600 locos as well, they also need to be equipped. My guess is that being of German origin (EuroSprinter), they won't have ZWS but will have ZDS (double-traction control from the other loco).
Both systems could co-exist: CFL have equipped their 3000 series locos (=SNCB 13) with ZWS to operate push-pull Dosto's on Luxembourg-Arlon, but keeping the original MUX system intact for operating in double traction, either with Lineas machines or own 3000 series machines. But it will be technically complicated, so I think sticking with 2600-only operation is a better plan.

It is no coincidence that the eight 2600s returned to service so far (or perhaps nine from this week or next, given 2610 is ready for testing) are already fitted with multiple working equipment, from their days working in pairs with CP Carga. The tenth loco, 2612, is also MW fitted, but the next three planned 2603, 2628 and 2624 are not, but will be equipped with the system. I presume this will be used as part of whatever system is eventually used if push-pull working is to be implemented here.

The use of Arcos on the Minho line is apparently a temporary arrangement and they will eventually form the basis of additional services on other routes, with some interesting new services being planned.

 

[Giugiaro]

The idea is indeed using the already installed MW protocol to control de locomotive from the driving trailer. All locomotives currently in comercial use (1400, 2600/2620 and 5600) have this capability, though the protocols are different between each class.

Recently some IR trains to Pocinho have had an English Electric at both ends, as holiday season has taken away the necessary personnel for coupling and uncoupling at Pocinho. While the solution isn't the most elegant and efficient, it does work as a temporary push-pull (or better pull-pull) operation.

 

[Giugiaro]

First (and successful) test run:

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

The livery is oddly familiar...

 

[37201xoIM]

The livery is oddly familiar...

Pretty smart in my opinion!

 

[Giugiaro]

Good morning everyone!

The Chairman of the Board of Directors, President of CP - Comboios de Portugal, Mr. Nuno Freitas, has announced his resignation.

Citing the Council of Ministers Resolution nº 110/2019 of June 27, he considers that the goals were met and that his duty has been fulfilled.

The goals included the reinforcement of the operational and maintenance capacity of the company, revert the degradation of the passenger railway service, stop the decay of the rolling stock and, simultaneously, motivate and value the employees.

His position will be taken by the Vice-President, Mr. Pedro Moreira, from October 1, 2021, until the Portuguese Government appoints a new Board of Directors.

 

[37201xoIM]

While I know nothing about the roles of individuals, given the progress made on CP over the last couple of years, I do hope he is indeed leaving on positive terms, and that that progress will continue under his successor!

 

[Giugiaro]

Good morning everyone!

The Portuguese government budget for 2022 defines a number of projects that CP will have to take on for the next few years, in what concerns the refurbishment and reintroduction to service of rolling stock.

Besides the 50 cars bought from Spain, Guifões will also be responsible for the refurbishment of the Class 0450 DMU's, alongside the conversion to Hydrogen power of the Class 9630 NGDMU's.

In Entroncamento there's also green light to refurbish and upgrade the 102, 200km/h capable, stainless steel Corail and Sorefame cars currently used on the InterCity services.

Both 34 Class 3400 and 55 Class 2240 EMU's will also be refurbished starting from next year. There is no clear indication as to where this will be.