… a fleeting glimpse of a locomotive at Santa Apolónia station. That moment sparked a curiosity that soon evolved into a profound passion for trains, specifically the French-built “Nez Cassé” locomotives, known for their distinctive “broken nose” design.

These powerful machines captured my imagination and have held a special place in my heart ever since, alongside the whole French railways aura that was peaking between the 1960s and the 1990s, where these locos have been built. Their unique angular front is a marvel of French engineering alone, perfectioned by Paul Arzens, one of the best industrial designers that lived in the XX century. There’s something inexplicably captivating about their appearance and performance that sets them apart from other trains.

Ever since I was a child, I have been surrounded by railways and it has only grown stronger with time, deeply intertwined with my hobby of model railroading.

Model railroading has allowed me to recreate and relive the magic of trains in miniature form, with a particular focus on Portuguese and French railways. Each time I arrive home tired from work, spending one hour painting rails or maneuvering trains recharges me immediately.

As I grew up, photography and drone video became favorite hobbies, more intense years ago when variety and interesting stock was still running everywhere, and that’s the part of my railway world that is shared in this photo gallery.

Whether in Portugal, France, Slovenia or Morocco, each photo provided for joyful and unforgettable moments.

Happy rails !