Trackside photography of the Portuguese and European railway
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TRAINOGRAPHY by João Cunha
Saturday in Beira Alta, I'm in love
Trips

Saturday in Beira Alta, I'm in love

26 Apr 2008 · 10 photographs

Saturday was often the busiest day of the line, at least for freight. Starting with some night movements at Pampilhosa, a well-spent day trainspotting near the Spanish border.

Pampilhosa

Gathering at Pampilhosa, a very busy station back then, with freight trains passing by almost every 15 minutes

CP 2621 is seen departing Pampilhosa while another train waits on the parallel track to follow 1
CP 2621 is seen departing Pampilhosa while another train waits on the parallel track to follow
Having arrived from Praias Sado with an empty car train, 2605 waits for a green light at Pampilhosa to continue to the Spanish border 2
Having arrived from Praias Sado with an empty car train, 2605 waits for a green light at Pampilhosa to continue to the Spanish border

Vilar Formoso

Sunrise in Vilar Formoso where typically two of the most interesting trains were arriving just after the Sud Express and a regional train to Guarda had departed the border station

CP 5630 arrives at Vilar Formoso with a long train of chemicals heading to central Europe 3
CP 5630 arrives at Vilar Formoso with a long train of chemicals heading to central Europe
After running the whole night, 2605 arrives at Vilar Formoso with the empty cars train from Setúbal / Praias Sado 4
After running the whole night, 2605 arrives at Vilar Formoso with the empty cars train from Setúbal / Praias Sado

After the busy start of the day, a bit more relaxing day awaits with good spots for almost all trains of the day

Celorico da Beira / Baraçal

Near Celorico da Beira, 5612 hauls Intercity 511 from Lisboa heading to Guarda 5
Near Celorico da Beira, 5612 hauls Intercity 511 from Lisboa heading to Guarda
Just after Celorico da Beira, 5616 towing 1404 leads a mix eastbound train to Fuentes de Oñoro 6
Just after Celorico da Beira, 5616 towing 1404 leads a mix eastbound train to Fuentes de Oñoro

Ponte Nova

Ponte Nova is one of the most well known spots in Portugal, certainly deserved given the scenery with the Mondego river just behind the graceful curve of the Beira Alta line. A Saturday afternoon usually yielded some of the best photos of the year: sun, background and interesting convoys

Exceptionally short train 75430 from Vilar Formoso to Pampilhosa with half the usual train for the same amount of power in front 7
Exceptionally short train 75430 from Vilar Formoso to Pampilhosa with half the usual train for the same amount of power in front
The 515 meters long train of Renault cars coming from Venta de Baños passes by Ponte Nova with CP 2605 8
The 515 meters long train of Renault cars coming from Venta de Baños passes by Ponte Nova with CP 2605
EMU 2289 passes Ponte Nova with regional train 5410/1 from Guarda to Coimbra 9
EMU 2289 passes Ponte Nova with regional train 5410/1 from Guarda to Coimbra
5616 hauls a short but interesting convoy at Ponte Nova, including CP 1431 10
5616 hauls a short but interesting convoy at Ponte Nova, including CP 1431

Lines travelled

Norte Infraestruturas de Portugal
Beira Alta Infraestruturas de Portugal