Train Rides: Vintage Travel, in Time and Space

When we go to work and catch a train, we have no idea that trains also exist so we can have fun

There are three train tours in the north of the country that make us go back in time and that would be Sheldon delight, from the television series The Big Bang Theory.

 

Not only because the routes are from other times, remembering when life was slower and happier, but especially because machines and carriages were also taken from the past. CP, the company that runs the rail network in Portugal, brings us during the summer train rides not to be missed, costing just a simple train ticket.

 

The Vouga Historic Train, pulled by original diesel locomotiv. On the opening image, the MiraDouro Historic Train.

 

The first tour is the Vouga Historic Train, in function from June to October, between Aveiro and Macinhata do Vouga. It is pulled by an old diesel locomotive, and its composed by three carriages, grought from the first years of XX century. The trip includes a visit to Águeda historic centre.

 

It is a one-day program, departing from Aveiro, three-quarters of the way from Lisbon-Porto, at 1:40 p.m., and arrivals at Macinhata do Vouga by 3:00 p.m. There is a promise of animation on board, with traditional music and songs (Sheldon diwouldd not like it, but we do), and a taste of Águeda's famous pastels. On arrival at Macinhata do Vouga, you can visit the Railway Museum and taste and buy regional products.

 

The return will take place at 4:25 pm, with stops at Águeda, to visit the historical city centre, where, for now, you can admire the fantastic Umbrella Sky installation, spread throughout the city. The arrival at Aveiro happens by 19:01.

 

You can take the Vouga Historic Train from any point of the country, with special prices, which also includes the trip at Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Regional, and Porto Urban Trains, all the tickets made available at CP train stations and online.

 

You can make the trip on Saturdays, until October 13, and on Sundays, between July 15 and August 26.

The MiraDouro Historic Train, carriages painted in original colours. Picture by Manuel Moreira, from CP website.

 

The second ride proposed by CP is MiraDouro. Departing from the beautiful São Bento station in Porto, lined with huge tile panels representing historical scenes from north of the country history, going to Régua and returning to São Bento.

 

To arouse the 'Sheldons' appetite, it consists of a diesel 1424 locomotive, painted in the original colours, still using historical carriages, produced in the 40s by the Swiss manufacturer Schindler, and put to the service of the national railway network between 1949 and 1977.

 

It operates every day between July 13 and September 30, and departs from São Bento by 9:25 am to arrive at Régua by 11h38. From here, leave at 7:00 p.m. to arrive at Oporto at 9:15 p.m., excellent time to catch up the restaurants still serving, and dig yourself on a Francesinha.

 

The Douro Historic Train, crossing Unesco's World Heritage protected landscape.

 

To end with a cherry on top, we present you the Douro Historic Train. There are five vintage carriages, sliding with tradicional olc train cadence, always by the banks of the Douro River.

 

Between Régua and the Tua, the surrounding landscape is unique and classified by UNESCO as World Heritage.

 

The tour includes a stop at the beautiful Pinhão station and toasts with Port Wine.

 

All the schedules, prices and information, for these and other train rides here.

 

Photos from CP website and respective facebook page .