Comboios de Portugal

CP — Comboios de Portugal, EPE (CP; English: Trains of Portugal) is a state-owned company which operates passenger trains in Portugal. Before 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.

Comboios de Portugal
TypeIncorporation
IndustryRail transport
Founded1856
Headquarters
Lisbon
,
Portugal
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 closures have been held since then.
A CP freight train in 2009
Technical
Track gauge1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) Iberian gauge and
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 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.

In 2019, CP transported 145 million passengers, 19 million more than in 2018.[2][3]

History

On 28 October 1856, the first railway line was inaugurated in Portugal, between Lisbon and Carregado: the Companhia dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses was born. The 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. During the second half of the 20th century, much 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, and its name was shortened to CP, A plan to finally connect all the district capitals by a fully electrified double line was to be implemented from 2010. Part of this plan is based on the Swiss Rail 2000 model.[4]

Manuel Antunes Frasquilho served as Chairman of the Board of directors between 1996 and 1997.[5]

The Vouga line is now the only narrow gauge line left in operation.

Infrastructure
Main article: Infraestruturas de Portugal

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+21⁄32 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+3⁄8 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.[6]
  • 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.

The network

CP's flagship service, introduced in 1999, is the Alfa Pendular which operates between Braga - Porto - Lisbon - Faro, with a maximum operating speed of 220km/h (138mph) with FIAT/Siemens tilting trains. As of 2006, CP's network reaches most of the country.[7]

CP inaugurated new trains in suburban service in the 1990s for Lisbon's Suburban service, and in 2001 in Porto's Suburban service.

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[8]
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 56km/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

  • CP's 5600 Series (19 units) are responsible for all Intercity services. Four sold and five leased to Medway for freight use. One is here seen on the Linha do Sul, near Alcácer do Sal.
    CP's 5600 Series (19 units) are responsible for all Intercity services. Four sold and five leased to Medway for freight use. One is here seen on the Linha do Sul, near Alcácer do Sal.
  • CP's 4000 Series work all Alfa Pendular services. Here on is seen at Entroncamento on the Linha do Norte.
    CP's 4000 Series work all Alfa Pendular services. Here on is seen at Entroncamento on the Linha do Norte.
  • CP's 2240 Series are responsible for Urban (Lisbon's Sado Line and the Coimbra to Figueira da Foz urban service), Regional and Inter-Regional services. Unit 2295 is here seen with a now outdated red color scheme, on the Linha do Norte, near Entroncamento.
    CP's 2240 Series are responsible for Urban (Lisbon's Sado Line and the Coimbra to Figueira da Foz urban service), Regional and Inter-Regional services. Unit 2295 is here seen with a now outdated red color scheme, on the Linha do Norte, near Entroncamento.
  • Most of Lisbon's suburban trains (except the Cascais Line services), are in the hands of CP's 2300/2400 Series. Two are here seen on the Linha do Norte, near Santa Iria de Azoia [pt].
    Most of Lisbon's suburban trains (except the Cascais Line services), are in the hands of CP's 2300/2400 Series. Two are here seen on the Linha do Norte, near Santa Iria de Azoia.
  • All Linha de Cascais urban trains are in the hands of CP's 3150/3250 Series.Two are here seen near Cruz Quebrada.
    All Linha de Cascais urban trains are in the hands of CP's 3150/3250 Series.Two are here seen near Cruz Quebrada.
  • CP's 3400 are responsible for all Porto urban services. One is here seen at São Bento station.
    CP's 3400 are responsible for all Porto urban services. One is here seen at São Bento station.
  • CP's 0450 Series are responsible for some Regional and Inter-Regional services. They are also in charge of the Intercity shuttle service between Casa Branca and Beja. One is here seen at Caldas da Rainha.
    CP's 0450 Series are responsible for some Regional and Inter-Regional services. They are also in charge of the Intercity shuttle service between Casa Branca and Beja. One is here seen at Caldas da Rainha.
  • CP's 1900/1930 Series were responsible for passenger (1930 only) and freight (both) services. Several sold to Medway and Ferrocentral (Argentina). All of CP uinits are withdrawn from service.
    CP's 1900/1930 Series were responsible for passenger (1930 only) and freight (both) services. Several sold to Medway and Ferrocentral (Argentina). All of CP uinits are withdrawn from service.
  • CP's 1960 Series were the most powerful diesel locos in Portugal. They hauled both passenger (until the Beira Alta Line was electrified) and freight trains. Some sold to Medway. All of CP uinits are withdrawn from service. One is here seen at Porto Campanhã.
    CP's 1960 Series were the most powerful diesel locos in Portugal. They hauled both passenger (until the Beira Alta Line was electrified) and freight trains. Some sold to Medway. All of CP uinits are withdrawn from service. One is here seen at Porto Campanhã.
  • CP's 0350 Series were once mainly used for Regional on unelectrified rural lines. As of 2021 only 3 remain in service. One is here seen at Guarda.
    CP's 0350 Series were once mainly used for Regional on unelectrified rural lines. As of 2021 only 3 remain in service. One is here seen at Guarda.
  • CP's 4700 Series were the backbone of their freight business. All 25 units were sold to Medway.
    CP's 4700 Series were the backbone of their freight business. All 25 units were sold to Medway.

Major stations
See also: List of railway stations in Portugal

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 the 21st of January 2013, two trains crashed on the Portuguese Northern Line in Alfarelos. 25 people were injured and the line was closed for 3 days.

On the 31st of 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. Comboios de Portugal (2018). "Relatório & Contas Consolidado" (PDF) (in Portuguese).
  2. "A Empresa | CP - Comboios de Portugal".
  3. "Passageiros e receitas da CP aumentam em 2019". Sol. 2020-03-08. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
  4. 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.
  5. CEEP Portugal - A Regulação dos Preços Como Instrumento de Regulação Pública dos Serviços de Interesse Geral
  6. See the timetable at www.cp.pt
  7. "CP route map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2011.
  8. "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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