All Aboard the Vouga Historic Train!

The Vouga Line Historic Train is already back up and running on the railway lines, starting its journey at Aveiro station and giving travellers the chance to step back in time.

By Bruno G. Santos, in Portugal, Other Events · 23 Jun 2022, 09:01 · 0 Comments

On Saturdays, a model 9004 steam locomotive will depart from Aveiro, bound for Macinhata do Vouga. Made up of five carriages dating from the early 20th century, the train will travel along a 70-minute journey, with many surprises upon along the way.

The train leaves Aveiro at 1:50pm and arrives at its final destination in Macinhata do Vouga at 3:00pm. Arriving at one of the first destinations, travellers will be welcomed by traditional Portuguese songs and dances, as well as visiting the Railway Museum of Macinhata do Vouga.

On the way back, the locomotive leaves Macinhata do Vouga at 4:25pm, however, the route back is done a little differently. In the middle of the journey, the locomotive makes a stop in Águeda. After the train stops at Águeda station and then only leaves after an hour and a half after. This gives travellers the time to visit the city, namely the historic centre and the riverside area. At 6:18pm, the journey starts again, arriving back again in Aveiro at 7:00 pm.

Tickets for the trip made on the Vouga Line Historic Train can be purchased at CP ticket offices, online through the official website of CP – Comboios de Portugal, or in the app that can be installed on your smartphone. Ticket prices for a day of travel cost €35 for adults and €20 for children between four and 12 years old. In the case of groups, composed of more than 10 people, the ticket will cost €30 and the reservation must be made through the contact cohistorico@cp.pt

The train will run on 25th June, 2nd, 23rd and 30th July and also every Saturday from 6 August to 15 October.

Access issues

Despite the historic train running on the so-called Linha do Vouga, the route will only be taken along the Ramal de Aveiro, which ends in Sernada do Vouga, where the historic route does not pass. Once upon a time, the Vouga line reached Viseu and covered 140 kilometres, which no longer happens. However, the rail route, departing from Aveiro, should end at Espinho-Vouga station, in Espinho, which also does not happen. From Sernada do Vouga to Oliveira de Azeméis, the line is cut, and only vehicles for maintenance of the railway line are allowed to circulate.

Despite the promised works, the population has long been waiting for the realisation of what promises to be a great improvement for rail access to certain locations included on the Vouga Line, between the municipalities of Espinho and Aveiro.

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463.