Comboios de Portugal
TypeIncorporation
IndustryRail transport
PredecessorPortuguese Railway Company
Founded1975
Headquarters,
Key people
Nuno Pinho da Cruz Leite de Freitas,
Pedro Miguel Sousa Pereira Guedes Moreira,
Ana Maria dos Santos Malhó,
Maria Isabel de Magalhães Ribeiro,
Pedro Manuel Franco Ribeiro
ProductsRail Transport (Passenger)
Revenue 288.559 million (2018)[1]
-36.9 million (2018)[1]
-105.6 million (2018)[1]
OwnerGovernment of Portugal (100%)
Number of employees
2,658 (2018)[1]
Websitewww.cp.pt
Comboios de Portugal
Map showing the railway lines in Portugal operated by CP in 2007. Some lines have been closed since.
A CP freight train in 2009
Technical
Track gauge1,668 mm (5 ft 5+2132 in) Iberian gauge and
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge
Share of the Companhia dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses, issued 1. July 1932
CP's Alfa Pendular tilting train.
CP suburban trains at São Bento Station in Porto.

CP — Comboios de Portugal, EPE (CP; English: Trains of Portugal) is a state-owned company which operates passenger trains in Portugal. Prior to June 2009, CP stood for Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses (English: Portuguese Railways) although the company has been using its current designation as a brand name since 2004.

CP can trace its origins back to October 1856 and the opening of the first railway line in Portugal; the majority of the network has long comprised Iberian gauge lines, compatible with neighboring Spain. During the 1950s, the Portuguese railway network spanned roughly 3,750 km (2,330 mi), its greatest extent. In 1975, the Portuguese Railway Company was nationalised Amid a decline in passenger numbers, various lines were shut down, with almost a quarter of the rail network being closed by the twenty-first century.

During the 1990s, various efforts to restructure and improve CP services have been initiated. During 1999, CP introduced its new flagship service, the Alfa Pendular, which operates between Braga - Porto - Lisbon - Faro using tilting trains. Since 2005, management of the railway infrastructure has been split from CP, which instead focuses on train services, while the former role is now performed by Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP). Also, CP's cargo activities were transferred to private company MSC who operate them under the Medway label; leaving CP to only operate passenger trains. In 2015, a new long-term strategy for Portugal's railway network has been underway, under which full electrification of the network, the provision of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), and the general modernisation and improvement of trunk routes and international services is being conducted. Throughout early 2023, CP's operations have been repeatedly disrupted by industrial action.

History

On 28 October 1856, the first railway line in Portugal was inaugurated between Lisbon and Carregado; the event marked the origins of the Companhia dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses.[2] While the early railways in Portugal had been constructed in standard gauge, subsequent lines were built to the Iberian gauge as to be compatible with neighboring Spain; the initial standard gauge tracks were also rebuilt into Iberian gauge for consistency.[2]

The railway network was gradually expanded both south of the Tagus and to the north of the country, as well as in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto and to Spain. Portugal's railways would play a role in numerous significant national events. On 14 December 1910; President Sidonio Bernardino Cardeso da Silva Paes was assassinated at Lisboa-Rossio Railway Station of one of the presidents of the first republic.[2] In 1958, a railway rout formed a prominent part of the political campaign of the democratic opposition candidate Humberto Delgado for the Portuguese presidency.[3][2] More generally, the railways had been crucial to the rapid dissemination of news across the more rural areas of the nation.[2]

It was during the 1950s that the Portuguese railway network expanded to its greatest extent, covering roughly 3,750 km (2,330 mi).[2] Throughout the second half of the 20th century, the majority of CP's rolling stock was built in Portugal by Sorefame - notably carriages with stainless steel bodywork. Gradually, electrification was put in place for a little less than half the network. In 1975, the company was nationalised, after which its name was shortened to CP. During the 1970s and especially during the 1980s, as cars became increasingly affordable to average citizens, passenger demand on CP's network declined considerably, spurring decreases in investment, the cutting back on little-used services, and the closure of less trafficked lines.[2] By the twenty-first century, almost a quarter of the rail network had been closed, around 2,630 km (1,630 mi) remained operational,[2] while of the roughly 900 stations once active, only 563 remained in use by 2023.[4]

During the 1990s, CP inaugurated new trains for its suburban service within Lisbon; during 2001, new rolling stock was brought into service on Porto's suburban services as well. In September 2012, the Portuguese government announced its intention to privatise portions of the suburban rail services of Liborn and Porto via a leasing arrangement. The move was part of a wider initiative towards increasing the liberalisation of the domestic Portuguese rail network.[5]

During 1999, CP introduced its new flagship service, the Alfa Pendular, which operates between Braga - Porto - Lisbon - Faro. Using a fleet of FIAT/Siemens tilting trains, it has a maximum operating speed of 220 km/h (138 mph).[6] Despite this, the majority of Portugal's lines were not suitable for high speed operations, which was a partial consequence of the protracted lack of investment.[2] By 2006, CP's network covers the majority of the country.[7]

Various changes to modernise and improve CP's railway network were proposed during the early twenty-first century.[2] At the time, the infrastructure suffered from a lack of uniformity, particularly in respect to signalling and electrical supply systems, while freight services were subject to numerous restrictions even on heavily trafficked trunk lines.[2] A programme of works to finally connect all the district capitals by a fully electrified double line was to be implemented from 2010; elements of this plan were based on the Swiss Rail 2000 model.[8] Furthermore, the Portuguese government was keen to improve intermobility between the rail network and various other logistic platforms, such as airports and seaports, as well as to improve links with pan-European transportation mediums in general.[9]

In 2015, a new long-term strategy for Portugal's railway network was announced; it called for the full electrification of the network, along with the provision of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) signaling and control apparatus, infrastructure compliance with the relevant European standards along all of the main freight corridors for complete interoperability, and changed to enable the running of 750 m (2,460 ft)-long trains carrying up to 1,400 tonnes of cargo.[10] Particular attention was paid to the modernisation of those lines used by international services and trunk routes that traversed the country.[2][11]

During 2019, CP transported 145 million passengers, an increase of 19 million from the previous year.[12][13]

Throughout early 2023, CP's passenger services have been repeatedly disrupted by industrial action taken by its employees.[14][15]

The Vouga line is presently the only narrow gauge line that remains operational.

Infrastructure

The infrastructure of the Portuguese network is managed by Infraestruturas de Portugal, usually abbreviated to IP

Portuguese railway network extent:

  • Broad gauge (1,668 mm (5 ft 5+2132 in)): 2,603 km (1,617 mi), 1,351 km (839 mi) electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz AC and 25 km (16 mi) at 1.5 kV DC.
  • Narrow gauge (metre gauge) 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in): 188 km (117 mi) not electrified.
  • The maximum extent of 3,592 km (2,232 mi) was reached in 1949, but in the late 1980s and early 1990s some lines were shortened and some totally closed.

Organisation

CP is split into three divisions:

  • CP Longo Curso, long-distance mainline services (Alfa Pendular, Intercidades and International trains).
  • CP Regional, regional services (Interregional and Regional).
  • CP Urban Services
    • CP Lisboa, Lisbon's suburban network.
    • CP Porto, Porto's suburban network.
    • CP Coimbra, Coimbra's suburban network.

Services

CP offers the following types of trains:

  • International (IN) is the service that connects Portugal with Spain and France. These are the Sud-Express (Lisbon-Hendaye), Lusitânia (Lisbon-Madrid) and Celta (Porto-Vigo). Both Sud Express and Lusitânia are night trains that run under Renfe's Trenhotel (Hotel Train) brand.
  • Alfa Pendular (AP) is the fastest service, whose speeds can reach 220 km/h. This service runs from Lisbon to either Porto, Braga or Guimarães (passing through Coimbra, Aveiro and Porto) or between Porto and Faro.
  • Intercidades (IC) is a fast long-distance service whose speeds can reach 200 km/h. All IC services (apart from the Beja Shuttle) run from Lisbon to either Porto, Braga, Guimarães, Guarda, Covilhã or Évora (with connection at Casa Branca to Beja), serving the majority of the Portuguese regions. Service to southern Portugal runs to cities including Tunes, Faro, and Albufeira.[16]
  • Inter-Regional (IR) is a medium distance service which stops only at the main stations. Runs mainly on the routes Porto-Viana do Castelo-Valença (Minho Line), Porto-Régua-Pocinho (Douro Line), Lisbon-Caldas da Rainha-Leiria-Coimbra (West Line) and Lisbon-Tomar (North Line). Services are operated by the same trains as Regional service.
  • Regional (R) is CP's local service, stopping at all stations, out of the Lisbon and Porto suburban areas.
  • Urbano (U) is the CP's urban service, in the regions of Lisbon and Porto and in the Coimbra-Figueira da Foz Line.

Lines/Routes

The lines are no longer maintained by CP, due to EU regulations, so the infrastructure is now handled by the public company Infraestruturas de Portugal.

LineGaugeStatusNotes
Linha do AlentejoIberiancurrentclosed between Beja and Ourique; freight only from Ourique to Funcheira
Ramal de AlfarelosIberiancurrent
Linha do AlgarveIberiancurrent
Linha da Beira AltaIberiancurrent
Linha da Beira BaixaIberiancurrent
Ramal de BragaIberiancurrent
Ramal de CáceresIberianformerclosed in 2012
Linha de CascaisIberiancurrent
Linha de CinturaIberiancurrent
Corgo linemetreformerclosed in 1990 between Vila Real and Chaves; remaining section closed in 2009
Dão linemetreformerclosed in 1989
Linha do DouroIberiancurrentclosed in 1988 between Pocinho and Barca d'Alva
Ramal do Estádio NacionalIberianformerclosed in 1979
Linha de ÉvoraIberiancurrentclosed in 1990 between Estremoz and Vila Viçosa; closed in 2009 between Évora and Estremoz
Évora–Elvas high-speed rail lineIberianfuture
Ramal da Figueira da FozIberianformerclosed in 2009
Guimarães linemetreformerclosed in 1986 between Guimarães and Fafe; closed in 2001 between ISMAI and Trofa; converted to Iberian gauge between Trofa and Guimarães in 2004; converted to Porto Metro between Senhora da Hora and ISMAI in 2005
Linha de GuimarãesIberiancurrent
Linha de LeixõesIberiancurrentfreight only
Linha do LesteIberiancurrentpassenger service restored in 2017[17]
Lisbon–Porto high-speed rail lineIberianfuture
Ramal do LouriçalIberiancurrentfreight only
Ramal da LousãIberianformerclosed in 2010 for construction of Metro Mondego; work halted due to lack of funds
Linha da MatinhaIberiancurrentfreight only
Linha do MinhoIberiancurrentclosed in 1990 between Valença and Monção
Ramal de MontemorIberianformerclosed in 1989
Ramal do MontijoIberianformerclosed in 1989
Ramal de MoraIberianformerclosed in 1990
Ramal de MouraIberianformerclosed in 1990
Linha do NorteIberiancurrent
Linha do OesteIberiancurrent
Ramal de PortalegreIberianformerclosed in 1990
Póvoa linemetreformerclosed in 1995 between Póvoa de Varzim and Famalicão; converted to Porto Metro between Porto and Póvoa de Varzim between 2002 and 2006
Porto-Vigo high-speed rail lineIberianfuture
Ramal Neves CorvoIberiancurrentfreight only
Sabor linemetreformerclosed in 1988
Linha de SinesIberiancurrentfreight only
Linha de SintraIberiancurrent
Linha do SulIberiancurrent
Tâmega linemetreformerclosed in 1990 between Amarante and Arco de Baúlhe; remaining section closed in 2009; there are efforts to partially reopen the line
Ramal de TomarIberiancurrent
Tua linemetreformerclosed in 1992 between Mirandela and Bragança; closed in 2008 between Tua and Cachão; Mirandela–Carvalhais section reopened 1995 to 2019 as Metro de Mirandela
Linha de Vendas NovasIberiancurrentfreight only
Ramal de Viseumetreformerclosed in 1990
Linha do Vale do Vougametrecurrentpartially closed; last metre gauge line

Current Rolling Stock

Locomotives

Image Class (Nickname) In Service

since

Numbers Traction Gauge Max Speed Services
In Service Total
0180 1924 1 2 Steam Iberian

1668 mm

Seasonal

Heritage

1150 (Sentinel) 1967 4 36 Diesel Iberian 1668mm 56 km/h Shunting
1400 (English Electric/EE) 1967 11 67 Diesel Iberian

1668 mm

105 km/h InterRegional

Shunting

1550 (MLW) 1973 1 20 Diesel Iberian

1668 mm

120 km/h Rescue

Shunting

2600 (Alstom) 1974 5 12 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

160 km/h InterRegional
2620 (Alstom) 1987 4 9 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

160 km/h InterRegional
5600 1993 19 24 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

220 km/h InterCidades
E200 1911 - 1923 1 6 Steam Meter

1000 mm

50 km/h Seasonal

Heritage

9000 1975 1 3 Diesel Meter

1000 mm

70 km/h Seasonal

Heritage

Multiple Units

Image Class Type In Service

since

Built in Numbers Traction Gauge Max Operational

Speed

Services
In Service Total
0350 (Allan) 1 Car DMU 2000 2000 3 18 Diesel Iberian

1668 mm

100 km/h Regional
0450 (UDD) 2 Car DMU 1998 1998 19 19 Diesel Iberian

1668 mm

120 km/h Regional

InterRegional

592 3 Car DMU 2011 1984

(Refurbished in 2001)

20 24 Diesel Iberian

1668 mm

140 km/h Regional

InterRegional

International

(Celta)

9630 2 Car DMU 1991 1991 7 7 Diesel Meter

1000 mm

90 km/h Regional
2240 3 Car EMU 2004 2003 55 55 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

120 km/h Urban

Regional InterRegional

2300 4 Car EMU 1992 1992 42 42 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

120 km/h Urban
2400 4 Car EMU 1997 1997 14 14 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

120 km/h Urban
3150 3 Car EMU 1998 1998 13 13 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

90 km/h Urban
3250 4 Car EMU 1998 1998 18 21 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

90 km/h Urban
3400 4 Car EMU 2002 2002 34 34 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

140 km/h Urban
3500 4 Car 2-floor EMU 1999 1999 12 12 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

140 km/h Urban
4000 6 Car

High

Speed

EMU

1999 (Refurbished

in 2017)

1998 9 10 Electric Iberian

1668 mm

220 km/h Alfa Pendular

Passenger Cars

Image Name In Service

since

Numbers Gauge Max Speed Services Notes
In Service Total
Stainless Steel Cars with A/C
Corail 1985 58 58 Iberian

1668 mm

200 km/h

(originally 160)

InterCidades Modernized over

the years, first

used on the

now-extinct

"Alfa service"

Sorefame

Modernizada

1993-1996 45 45 Iberian

1668 mm

200 km/h InterCidades Modernized for

IC services

Mild Steel Cars with A/C
Arco 2021 0 36 Iberian

1668 mm

200 km/h InterRegional Purchased

from Renfe

in 2020.

4 refurbished cars

ready to enter

InterRegional service

9000 N/A 0 4 Iberian

1668 mm

160 km/h Not in Service Purchased

from Renfe

in 2020

Gran Confort N/A 0 5 Iberian

1668 mm

160 km/h Not in Service Purchased

from Renfe

in 2020

Corail N/A 0 5 Iberian

1668 mm

160 km/h Not in Service Purchased

from Renfe

in 2020

Stainless Steel Cars without A/C
Sorefame

Classic

1963-1984 9 74 Iberian

1668 mm

140 km/h Regional

InterRegional

Most withdrawn

from service or

modernized for

IC services

Mild Steel Cars without A/C
Schindler 1948–1949 17 19 Iberian

1668 mm

120 km/h Regional

InterRegional

Out of service

between 1996

and 2017.

Refurbished

from 2017 to

2021

Napolitanas 1931 1 5 Meter

1000 mm

Seasonal

Heritage

Used on the

Vouga Historic

Steam Train

Major stations

Lisbon

  • Cais do Sodré - for local trains from Lisbon to Cascais. Portugal's busiest interchange station (train/ferry/metro/tram/bus)
  • Oriente - for trains to the north and to the Algarve
  • Rossio - for local trains to Sintra
  • Santa Apolónia - terminus station, for trains to the north and to Spain

Porto

Other

Accidents and Incidents

On 21 January 2013, two trains crashed on the Portuguese Northern Line in Alfarelos. 25 people were injured and the line was closed for three days.

On 31 July 2020, an Alfa Pendular Train collided with a track maintenance vehicle at Soure, Portugal. Two people were killed and 43 were injured, three seriously.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Comboios de Portugal (2018). "Relatório & Contas Consolidado" (PDF) (in Portuguese).
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "The Portuguese Railway: 160 years and 160 more". globalrailwayreview.com. 14 December 2016.
  3. "Under the Eucalyptus Trees – TIME". www.time.com. 14 May 1965. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2007.
  4. "Bus often faster than rail in Portugal, analysis shows". railtech.com. 14 February 2023.
  5. "CP – an attractive transport brand with a clear future focus". globalrailwayreview.com. 19 September 2012.
  6. "Portuguese Trains Unveil Refurbished Alfa Pendular". railway-news.com. 27 March 2017.
  7. "CP route map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2011.
  8. Stohler, Werner. "Modernização do sistema da exploração ferroviária da Região de Coimbra" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2010.
  9. "Portugal – plans, projects and priorities". globalrailwayreview.com. 28 July 2006.
  10. "The strategy for Portuguese railways 2014-2050". globalrailwayreview.com. 1 October 2015.
  11. "Atlantic Corridor: More capacity, higher performance, better information". globalrailwayreview.com. 31 January 2017.
  12. "A Empresa | CP - Comboios de Portugal".
  13. "Passageiros e receitas da CP aumentam em 2019". Sol. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  14. "Rail strike continues". theportugalnews.com. 15 February 2023.
  15. "Which trains will be running during the strike today?". theportugalnews.com. 3 April 2023.
  16. See the timetable at www.cp.pt
  17. "Linha do Leste - Comboios Regionais 5500 e 5501| CP". Archived from the original on 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
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