PORTUGAL'S MOST SCENIC RAILWAY JOURNEY / DOURO VALLEY CP1400 REVIEW / PORTUGUESE TRAIN TRIP REPORT

[@mariacarrasco6394]

An unforgettable experience! We started our trip fom Salamanca by car and took the train in Pocinho and we arrived to Regua where we visited the wine museum and could try the tasty portuguese food. I liked the stunning views and the 70 k/h of the train that allowed us enjoy the marvellous landscape.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Absolutely amazing isn't it 😁

[@TonySousa]

I would love to do the train trip from Douro and thank you for mentioning the wine museum where one can have food (and wine I suppose). Would love to try one day.

[@GazilionPT]

Glad to see you went all the way up to Pocinho (last station); most tourists only go as far as Pinhão or Tua, which is a pity.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

The last bit is the best bit! 😄

[@GazilionPT]

@@NonstopEurotrip Agreed.

[@rahill-95]

Indeed, it is the most scenic route in portugal and loved watching all those picturesque sceneries and mesmerizing view of Porto. The chugging of the locomotive was euphonious 😍, I really appreciate your efforts, NonstopEurotrip and Great video as always mate.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you Rahill, it really is one of the great European railway journeys. 🙏🏻

[@piedaderudman6043]

Beautiful! My most scenic train trip was between Geneva and Milan. Stunning!

[@yuripapov]

I"m brazilian and love trains and Portugal. Your video is amazing.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Glad you enjoyed it ☺️

[@AlexMalemaican]

Even better than this is taking the historical train with the steam locomotive on this line! Definitely an unforgettable experience

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Amazing 🤩

[@GazilionPT]

The downside of the historical train is that the trip is much shorter, missing some of the best parts. They should go all the way to Pocinho.

[@trippinoutdoors]

I was literally saying the exact same thing: "If only it was a Steam Loco hauled trip, that's the only way to make this any better and true perfection!". I'd adore doing both this one AND the steam loco trips on the line.

[@Mr_ZPguy]

It truly is unforgettable

[@wendellwhite5797]

I grew up in Europe and I remember travelling on coal-fired trains. I remember the sparks coming out of the stacks and the loo when you flushed it opened to the tracks. You could actually see the tracks. I do remember the sign in the loo that you were not to flush at the station.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

You can still see the tracks through the toilets on a lot of trains still today abroad 😂

[@desanipt]

I absolutely recommend making the round trip combining the train ride for one way, and the boat for the other. The boat trip may be more expensive, but it is really worth it.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I will be sure to, next time 👍🏻

[@hugoteixeira4868]

I was born and live in Régua for over 30 years. very cool to see "us" there. Although I've made these trip dozens or hundreds of times in my life, it sure is a stunning journey, especially when the train is really close to the river.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

It's an amazing journey 😍

[@RS-bb4mp]

Nice video! Can't wait to see more portuguese reviews. About that scene at 9:00. Those coaches are being retrofited with semiautomatic doors that close at 7 km/h to improve the safety of the passengers.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

That'll be a shame for door hanging 🤣

[@RS-bb4mp]

That's true😂

[@s125ish]

Still not in use them doors

[@milomhoek]

I have travelled on the same route and it was the most amazing railway line I've ever been on. To see the beautiful Unesco Douro Valley was really unforgettable

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Absolutely 😍🤗🇵🇹

[@gailstevens1275]

My husband & I did this trip from Sao Bento station in 2018 on a Sunday . Wonderful experience. Also, by going on a Sunday timetable differed & we had several hours in Pocinho ! Wondered what we were going to do but we ended up having lunch in the restaurant ( with the driver & conductor) - lovely, freshly cooked + authentic as limited English spoken . On return train picked up loads of people going back to Porto for work / Uni.( extra carriages were added on ).

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Amazing experience! We had lunch at that restaurant just up the hill from the station. What a great route 😍

[@antoniodasilva1230]

English people need to learn other languages

[@KoreaWandering]

I really enjoy your videos right before I go to sleep. Very relaxing!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

You're very welcome ☺️

[@pimpampumdc6101]

ive traveled on this type of train hundreds of time from Mosteiro my home right opposite on the other side of the river - to porto and back ! good old days ,, live in uk for the past 20 yrs ! great video

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Oh wow what a lovely place to live 😁

[@AMonteiro63]

É sem dúvida um dos melhores passeios de comboio em Portugal. Vale a pena.

[@desanipt]

This line used to connect all the way to Salamanca in Spain. The line was built between 1875 and 1887 both to easy the transportion of port wine (which is actually produced deep inland along the Douro river) to Porto (as river traffic wasn't as safe and predictable as it is now) and to open way for a faster connection between Porto and Spain (and, therefore, the rest of Europe). The Spanish side was closed in 1985 (before both countries joined the EU). On the Portuguese side, the final stretch between the border and Pocinho was closed in 1988. The stretch of the old line that climbs from Barca d'Alva (down on the river valley) to Fregeneda (already on the Spanish Meseta/Plateau) has recently become a very popular trail to make arround here. It is known as the "rota dos túneis" ("Ruta de los túneles" in Spanish, litteraly, "trail of the tunnels"). It is full of tunnels and bridges that used to allow the train to go up from the valley and the views are absolutely stunning.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Very interesting ☺️

[@s125ish]

Is there any track that remains in the disused section?

[@desanipt]

@@s125ish I now that the full tracks remain on the Portuguese side from Poconho to the border on Barca D'Alva. I personaly never did the pedestrian trail, but I think the tracks are also still there all along the way. They're been cover in part with a wooden floor/walkway on tge bridges to make it safer for the walker. But I've been told that on the tunnel you either step on the wooden sleepers still there, on the ballast. There's concrete planes on the Portuguese side to rehabilitate and open the line up to the border

[@ruipina5636]

During the summer months weekends', there's a steam train from Régua to Tua and back with verandah coaches from the beginning of the XX century

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Amazing!!! 😁

[@danieldocarmo]

Yep, twitter.com/zecarlosbarbosa/status/1396081664913203203

[@Not_me9791]

So, both carriages are from the same era... very nice! :) At least the later ones are cheaper to be used

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Asked a guy in Berlin for directions and apologised for my poor German, it turned out he was Portuguese and when I said that Lisbon was on my bucket list he said it’s ok but go to Porto the area is beautiful, people have more time to speak with you, well he sold it to me and when this pandemic is over I’m going to stay in Porto for a few days then take the train to Vienna and then try to get the overnight train to Hamburg, then a flight home and yes the chap I spoke with came from a village close to Porto, personally speaking the trip along the Rhine is hard to beat

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Excellent! I can highly recommend both Lisbon and Porto but the best trains are definitely up in the North 😁🇵🇹

[@BARROSORQUIDEA]

As someone who lives in Porto and who frequently goes to the Douro Valley, I recommend visiting both places. Of course, if there is time available, visiting Lisbon would also be great. Although the distance between the cities is not much, the vibe of the two is very different. They are both enchanting in different ways. As for the Douro Valley, I've had several people tell me it's very similar to the Rhyne valley but longer. It was a good approach, but it's impossible for filming to see the details. Olive trees, vines on terraces with steep descents to the river, and depending on the area of the valley, other fruit trees, such as cherry, almond, lemon, orange, etc... My opinion is completely partial, but it deserves a visit without a doubt. PS: You can always go out in Pinhão and visit a few Estates for wine tastings ( Table or Port wines.

[@asdsdjfasdjxajiosdqw8791]

70 years old and still better than a pacer.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Oh absolutely 😂

[@danieldocarmo]

@@NonstopEurotrip If I recall correctly these carriages were restored specifically for use on this line (Linha do Douro). twitter.com/zecarlosbarbosa/status/1392956506413445131

[@NonstopEurotrip]

@@danieldocarmo I believe so, yes 😁

[@jomifalcao]

If you happen to have a next time travelling by train in Porto, take the train in S Bento and commute. The murals on the inside of that Station are a MUST-visit

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I have been to São Bento 😁

[@LynneFarr]

Great trip with wonderful scenery. I really like your including external shots of bridges and station buildings as well. What an interesting lock on the toilet room door.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you Lynne! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and yes the toilet lock was very old school 😂

[@tyukorrow]

20:10 Wow, I can feel the smell of that diesel engine through my smartphone🤩

[@NonstopEurotrip]

It's even better in real life 😂😍

[@davidmacdonald3393]

Open doors on operating CP trains was common 30 years ago and apparently still so on branch lines with vintage equipment. A great country to visit for train fans!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Yeah it really is a great experience. I understand the non locking door are going very soon though 😭

[@sergiofreitas9368]

It used to be very common, yes! The old 2000-class EMUs had manual doors just like Schindlers and you can see old videos from the late 90s with people sitting or hanging from the doors. And yes, they'll be fitted with central locking mechanism recently thanks to some (VERY valid) safety concerns 😅😅

[@s125ish]

Same in south Eastern Europe. Doors open but surprised still to see in Portugal

[@DanielsUKT]

Amazing scenery from forest and moutains to rivers and lakes. Also the coaches definitely have a vintage style interior and that they keep these over 70 years in service must be one of the oldest rolling stock in Europe

[@NonstopEurotrip]

You just found this old video Daniel? 😆

[@sidneialmeida3020]

I loved the trip. I had been in Porto some years ago but didn t know about this train. Congratulaton from Brazil

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you 😊

[@sergiofreitas9368]

Hello! So, I thought it'd be worth the mention that as of this month, Schindler carriages will be equipped with a central locking mechanism, operated by the guard's key, which means no more open doors mid-route. Other than that, a solid review, and the product definitely sells itself, not for the modern comodities, but for the stunning views.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you 🙏🏻 it'll be sad when you can no longer door hang 😂

[@Not_me9791]

Actually hanging on the door was a must!! Btw the guy riding the loco at the end of the video... HSE anyone?

[@trippinoutdoors]

@@NonstopEurotrip That is a absolute fact there. A devastating travesty, quite honestly... makes me and my heart slump a bit in sadness that if and when I ever get the chance to travel this line, I too could hang out the door and enjoy the breeze and getting the camera shots that way. Totally different experience without that extra historic charm!

[@nuclearengineer7688]

Is this equipment regularly running on the line? Do you know if it is just the departure time noted in the video?

[@s125ish]

@@nuclearengineer7688most service are loco hauled

[@mariafrost1762]

Super video. A very familiar railway line and my home. Anyone thinking of travelling the line to Pocinho, have a look behind the big blue container which you can see at the end of the video as the loco is shunting. There you'll find rusting steam loco E213 that has been dumped there since the mid 80s!! It used to work the long closed narrow gauge branch Pocinho to Duas Igrejas. It was certainly still there in Summer 2020.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Excellent 👌 thanks for the info 😊

[@mariafrost1762]

@@NonstopEurotrip No probs. 👍

[@thomasroell8979]

Very interesting ride, I wish I was with you. Thank you for sharing.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏻

[@mariovieira838]

Its indeed a very nice trip with classic (& classy) rolling stock. As for speeds mentioned, there's a 110 Km/h section just east of Ermesinde, but tbese trains are limited to 100. And after Mosteirô speeds are just 70/80 (the line is full of tight curves). A little bit after Pinhão speed goes down to 60, untill Tua, and Tua to Ferradosa is limited to 50 Km/h. But nobody is in a hurry, and such speeds are just ideal to enjoy the whole experience. As for 'Dame' 1408, its a unit full of history. Back in 1967 it was one of the 2 haulimg the class "presentaron train" to the local authorities (together with 1410). And some years ago, while haulimg the Lusitânia Express, it had to take the train all the way to Cáceres (the usual Renfe class 334 got damaged on a level crossing where it hit some cows). And the spaniards wanted to take it all the way to Madrid

[@NonstopEurotrip]

That's a funny story 🤣

[@albe6253]

Years ago, the line went into Barca d'Alva, in the Spanish border and connected there with a spanish line to La Fregeneda and Salamanca, but closed several years ago. It has a strong potential for tourism; and in the years could be reopened to the spanish border at the beginning and then make pression to reopen the Spain side of the line.

[@diogorodrigues747]

Spain is not with a great interest of opening the line...

[@NonstopEurotrip]

It definitely should carry on into Spain 😁

[@miguelfranco9686]

@@diogorodrigues747 The Spanish part between Barca d'Alva and Fregeneda (or surroundings) should be rebuilt through a different path. Operating speed was very slow, and the maximum weight per axle in the bridges is lower than needed for modern trains. It is possible to walk through this section as it has been partially restored (caminodehierro.es), and there are plans to use battery-powered light rail vehicles also in this section.

[@s125ish]

Thought Spain and Portugal are similar and would be demand

[@s125ish]

Was there any long distance trains from Porto to Spain?

[@pega17pl]

This trip reminds me to all the private industrial railways in Germany and at my home town offered a commuter service for their own staffs and others. Diesel locos were similar, cars had wooden interior. These services were free of charge and to take yor bike with you was no problem. Of course, the sceneries weren't so beautiful. - Cheers, Heinz

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Wow that's a great service for the workers!!

[@vicsams4431]

I love Portugal. Been maybe 25 times, including Madeira. Done all the Broad Gauge CP track except Guimares. I was fortunate to ride the Douro as far as Regua in the cab of Serie 1931, number 1935 "Citade Da Barreiro". Done every railway in Alaska and Canada (except Churchill). Plus all of Britain and Ireland, and most of Europe and some of the rest of America. Favourite scenic railways has to be 1) Bergen to Oslo, 2) Trondheim to Bodo and 3) Dombas to Andalsnes. Although Anchorage to Seward, Napoli to Reggio Di Calabria, Liege to Luxembourg, Toulouse to La Tour De Carol, Sept Iles to Schefferville, Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, Glasgow to Mallaig and Dublin to Rosslare get honourable mentions.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Wow you've been busy 😅

[@vicsams4431]

@@NonstopEurotrip If you have done or might do the lines listed, I hope you enjoy them. This is Sept Iles to Schefferville. The winter is a tad cold: while Moscow is -25C, and Alaska is -40C, Schefferville gets to -63C. This railway goes 357 miles north of any road. And yes, I managed to do part way in the cab of a F40 loco ! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2baZZemeLt1odE

[@adf5739]

One of the most scenic train ride in Portugal.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Absolutely 😍

[@Andrewjg_89]

I like the trams in Portugal. The trams there are amazing.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Video coming up soon 😊

[@s125ish]

Lisbon trams andrew?

[@s125ish]

Lisbon trams andrew?

[@lorenzo_contini_7]

Great trip but also amazing video! Perfect balance of information and views :) Very nice!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you Lorenzo 😁

[@TonySousa]

Thank you so much for the lovely video. Beautiful scenery and everything so well explained. This train ride is certainly in my bucket list.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you very much!

[@goyakat2211]

Beautiful trip, I also love the stations, so charming.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Amazing aren't they 😍

[@lovecuba2]

Very enjoyable and well researched. Thanks.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

You're welcome ☺️

[@debasishbanerjee9294]

I did this trip couple of months ago and I am so glad I went to Pocinho as recommended by the train's ticket agent. Amazing views!!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Great to hear!

[@nivardofloresperez1169]

Oooff... this video brought me some memories, I rode a train from Coimbra to Santa Coba Dao in 2000 to visit my girlfriend... the route was similar to this one, but across some woody areas too. I just remember most of the windows open in the middle of summer, on a train that may be traveled in between 120 to 140 kph. Pretty scenic route too...

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Sounds like a great trip! 😁

[@nivardofloresperez1169]

@@NonstopEurotrip It was my friend, especially for the final purpose of it he he...

[@DPereira97]

Regua is a must stop, beautiful, nice restaurants and very nice wines. There is also the famous historic regua train it would make a great video as well! Was there on the past June

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I must visit soon 😃

[@Not_me9791]

But not the town... Lamego is way more beautiful... The railway was never ended anyway, but the bridges are there

[@ralfkluin6387]

Thank you for sharing.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

You're welcome Ralf 👍🏻

[@1970jel]

What a great video, gorgeous scenic route. How spacious this train looks. You asked what scenic route we went on. In the autumn of 2019 I went from Leer to Saarburg in Germany. The part from Koblenz to Saarburg was gorgeous, on a sunny day, the wine fields on the hills had all colors between yellow and red. And riding along the river Mosel and Saar and the castles along them was a great experience. Keep the videos coming and stay safe!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you! I'll have to try that trip you mentioned 😁

[@ruimanuelmoreira7060]

Sem duvidas as mais belas paisagens do Douro Norte de Portugal, é claro que sou muito suspeito, porque sou Tripeiro Nortenho com muito Orgulho. Parabéns pelo vídeo e as maiores Felicidades e um Grande Abraço

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it ☺️

[@pauloraposo871]

@@NonstopEurotripAre you gay?

[@andreguimaraes697]

Thank you for this trip report on Douro line. The landscapes on UNESCO classified Douro Valley are very beautiful. Near Pocinho, you have the UNESCO classified Côa Valley, but you need to take a bus or a taxi to get there. The last time I took a train to go up the Douro Valley, CP was still operating Diesel units leased to Renfe known as “Camelas”, which weren’t very comfortable as they were very noisy and shaked a lot. I look forward to trying these old good looking Schindler coaches. Well done!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

It's an absolutely beautiful place 😍

[@miragept]

I am fortunate that the spanish ones are getting less frequent the times i made a trip to tua in them to/from porto i went "NOOOOOOOOOOO", hated them.

[@claudiocasco6381]

I rode a very nice jorney from Edinburg to Aberdeen some years ago. And this summer, the Transpatagonian, in Argentina, from Viedma to San Carlos de Bariloche. Awesome!

[@markellis6413]

Simply stunning, mate. I got on one of the refurbished slam door 4CEP's at Charing Cross once and one of the doors was left open Most scenic train I've been on was the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Calgary on the Canadian Pacific route. 2 days of stunning scenery and pure luxury. Train no longer goes to Calgary, finishes in Banff. Better to do the journey in that direction so you finish in the Rockies with the best scenery. Trains to Vancouver also use Canadian National route from Kamloops to Vancouver (built later).. Will have to go back to Porto to do this journey. Train looks amazing - better than the Portuguese multiple units that invariably have graffiti or dirt on the outside preventing clear views.. Love the tiles on buildings in Portugal - so pretty.. Now about that Route 28 tram ride video...

[@ruipina5636]

graffitied trains reduced substantially since 2020.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I hope to go to Canada in the future, it's sounds amazing! I loved this trip as it's not very well known and just stunning! Lisbon trams will be the next Portuguese video in 3-4 weeks 🙏🏻

[@diogorodrigues747]

@@ruipina5636 That's true... According to CP, more than 90% of the graffitis were eliminated since the begining of 2020!

[@jomifalcao]

I have not seen a single graffited train since maybe 2017/18 in Sete Rios station (Lisbon, Sintra line). They did a HUGE cleaning job

[@markellis6413]

@@jomifalcao When I did both the Sintra and Cascais lines in 2018, the outsides of the trains were filthy. Hard to see out of the windows..

[@PeteBrandy]

Great video! This old school train is very nice and the views are so beautiful! Btw. the foldable door reminds me the door on the T3 trams :-D

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thanks mate! Yeah the doors are like tram doors 😅 But what a great route 😍

[@jeromebano1125]

Very nice journey the Douro valley line looks very scenic I remember going to Porto with my family from a town called Braga' It is strange in my view that they still use diesel shunters instead of an ordinary locomotive still it is all part of the fun.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Yes, it was a great experience 😀

[@daisyswimmer7728]

I've been curious about Portugal for 40 years, as my daughter is 1/8th Portuguese on her dad's side. She did a report in school about Portugal and as I was helping her research it, we came across some pictures of Portuguese children and we were struck by how much she looks like them. Thank you for the vid. Maybe someday we will get to do this beautiful train ride.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Unfortunately the doors now lock shut 😭

[@mariavandenbosch2723]

Beautiful, thank you 😊!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Your welcome 😄

[@Maia_Cyclist]

There is electrification planned till Peso da Régua and plans to reopen to the border

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Can't wait for that!

[@martinraffauf6771]

Most scenic trips for me : 1) Lauterbrunnen to JungfrauJoch - Switzerland; 2) The Glacier express, Zermatt to St Moritz Switzerland. Never been to Portugal.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I hope to try both of those 😊

[@David-b2q6r]

A great little video, thank you, I'm going to take the trip

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Have fun!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

This looks amazing. Not just the line actually but Porto too. Great shots and nice to see the scenery filmed without having to look through a dirty window all the time. Looking forward to getting there myself even more now 👍

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thanks Mark! You'll have to settle for the opening windows and apparently next month the door with be fitted with lock and closing mechanisms 😭

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@NonstopEurotrip what! Maybe I can bribe the driver for a cab ride. That would be awesome!

[@CarlosPT-hb6zb]

You made a very good description. You forgott a enormous thing: from regua to pocinho you crossed.... the vines of.... Port wine!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Whoops 😂

[@gars1074]

Great video- thanks for sharing. My most scenic train trip was from Shanghai to Hong Kong aboard and old passenger ( 9 person ) sleeper. Amazing journey shared with 8 strangers sleeping 3 high ( I was top berth ).

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Wow that sounds cramped. Can you even do that anymore?

[@josedasilva822]

The most scenic train trip I have ever been to was:..(From Chicago to San Francisco on the iconic "California Zephyr") going through the great plains and the Rocky Mountains, it was breathtaking. I loved the trip so much that I did it three more times. The nineties were the best time. America was a different place. Music was good, movies were the best, the weather was not so crazy and people were much nicer and less divided. - Big hug from São Paulo - Brazil

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I would love to do that one day! 😁

[@chicagomike]

They have derailments a lot.

[@CameronLandels]

Thank you for another great video! I always enjoy them! It looks a stunning line to travel on. Portugal is a beautiful country. I need to return. I am looking forward to your next upload from Portugal :-)

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you Cameron! You're right it is a beautiful country. Next Portugal video will be Lisbon Tram Line 28 😍

[@robyoungquist5803]

Air-con modern coaches? NO. WiFi? NO. Bistro Car? NO. Rickey old coaches? YEP ✅. 😀. Open air windows? YEP ✅. 😀. Engine 🚂. that sounds like it’s working overtime chug chug chug? You bet ✅😀. OUTSTANDING Scenery? Absolutely ✅😀. Sounds like a terrific day trip! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you Rob, sounds like you enjoyed it ☺️🙏🏻

[@moritzcruz-patzig4338]

Excelent work.....!!!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@Aidankiwi]

Wonderful upload - shut your eyes and yes that does sound just like a Class 20, IIRC CP also had a fleet of locos very similar to the BR Class 50 a while back. My top 3 scenic journeys... 1. The TranzAlpine, Christchurch - Greymouth. 2. The Kyle Line , Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh. 3 The West Highland Line, Glasgow - Fort William - Mallaig

[@NonstopEurotrip]

We actually found a class 50 out the back at the entroncamento railway museum. Those journeys you mentioned are all great choices 😃

[@friki_edu]

Incredibly beautiful railway :-) Greetings! 12:45 Volume up!!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I hope you turned it up LOUD 😁

[@vernongoodey5096]

Travelled on this line last year with the blue class 1400. Only had a day on the line as I was travelling from Oporto all the way to Bilbao via the Spanish FEVE narrow gauge. Just booked flight from Bristol with squeezy jet for £39.38 return so I can spend 3 days on this line again. The valley is most famous as the home of mostly British owned Port wines. Remember Portugal is our oldest ally since 1386.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Beautiful place, right? 💯

[@raytheron]

What a wonderful trip through a stunning part of a very beautiful country!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Oh yes Ray, it's definitely in my top 5! ☺️

[@smatos69]

Hi, Eurotrip. You should definetely try the steam train on the same route. It´s fantastic (sounds, smell, charm)!! Great video. Cheers!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I would love to! 😍

[@ruipinto8880]

I live in Portugal but haven't had the chance yet to ride this train, but intend to. Maybe next year or so. Loved this review 😍

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Glad you enjoyed it Rui 😊

[@anttails]

Great video! You should do a trip in the Beira Baixa line too. It has a diverse scenery and is also very beautiful! About these Schindler coaches, they once had a sad story but currently they’re being saved by the best management CP had in years: They were retired in the early 2000 and most of them scrapped. 1 is at the museum, 8 were refurbished for the short lived Vinho do Porto train and 11 were abandoned to decay in Entroncamento’s railyard. Around 2017 CP was facing a huge rolling stock crisis as the not reliable 592 from Renfe weren’t able to meet demand and trains were often surpressed. CP’s administration back then re-refurbished 6 of the 8 Vinho do Porto train cars. 3 1st class, 3 2nd. Those have a special livery that can be seen on the train of this video (back and middle cars respectively). Although that was a poisoned gift: They were assigned to a new “touristic” train with a questionable timetable and didn’t run the complete route. In 2018 the situation got worse as the route was further shortened and the train was subsequently cancelled (no sh*t sherlock). There were rumors that those cars were gonna be sold to a private operator…. But then enters Nuno Freitas, the current CP president, and his team. Their policy on Douro: - Recover all 19 existing Schindler cars (except the 20th which is at the museum) - Put them on the Porto - Pocinho interregional Summer of 2020: Even with the pandemic, trains were full. Right decisions made on point. And the maintenance guys at Guifões make miracles: some cars were near scrap condition! They’re being recovered with the 70s red brown and white livery but there are 2 with special livery: one with the first red and silver colors and an upcoming 50/60s blue. Apart from that, CP is making further improvements to these cars, progressively equipping them with closing door mechanisms and creating spaces for bikes. I think currently 15 Schindlers are in service, and 4 still undergoing recovery.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thanks for all the information. I'm glad they brought them back! 😍

[@iris7911]

I really enjoy the modern trains in Switzerland, but I also appreciate the charm of the vintage ones. This one is really something! It reminded me of a train I took to Tavira (Portugal) when I was younger, it was called Sotavento I think, maybe it's still in service, it was also a diesel and looked like a soviet train :)

[@NonstopEurotrip]

This is definitely in my top 5 railway experiences 😊

[@ruimanuelmoreira7060]

If I'm not making a mistake in what I'm saying, when I did my military service, I'd go from Porto-Campanhã to Entroncamento and sometimes I'd catch one just like that Sotavento as far as Santa Margarida. I think it would be but I'm not sure.

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you for a truly splendid video ! I've not yet travelled on this line, but will definitely make a visit soon. The 1400 diesels look and sound great, and as you say they don't run on all the services on that route, at least the train should be loco-hauled ! Many thanks.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thanks Anthony! It's definitely one of my favourite trips to date and even better with the loco coach combo 😍

[@Mainyehc]

Funny you should mention that the loco is the main attraction. To us, they are super common and nothing really special (I remember taking ICs made up from more modern steel-clad Sorefame cars and carried by those), it’s the Schindlers that are really something. Also, they look new because they were practically rebuilt, it’s an ambitious project undertaken on a recently reopened maintenance facility, which is also refurbishing and converting ex-Renfe Arco cars into new IC sets, and makes us all very proud.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I love the combination of old loco and coaches and loud noise 🤣

[@Mainyehc]

@@NonstopEurotrip The fact that they're running on old track is what seals the deal. If you enjoyed that, you should see what these complete nutters are doing at the farthest - and derelict - end of this line. Enjoy it while it lasts, because our current government is promoting a cross-party agreement on a railway plan for the next 50 years or so, which will likely entail the reopening of the entire branch (including the international and Spanish sections, all the way to Salamanca): kzbin.info

[@normanstyles6240]

Aw, ! breathtaking views and scary ones too, loved it, sure is a wonderful country, beats my own favourite the Frejus tunnel line between Turin and Chambery. The train seemed in good condition considering its age, Great Ride, Thanks,

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Glad you enjoyed it Norman! It's a pretty special trip on such a retro train! 😍 I've actually not been through the Frejus tunnel!

[@AlexMalemaican]

They're in good condition because they have recently been fully refurbished. It might not seem like a very modern interior, but these carriages have been abandoned for decades and were already rusty and falling apart, so this is already pretty good. They now have an extra life, serving as touristic trains.

[@portugueseeagle8851]

I saw this video and then I convinced my parents to make this trip. It was AMAZING! And in the middle of the trip the doors also opened suddenly and everybody was like "wtf" 🤣🤣🤣

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Aww amazing! I'm glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@ldegmtrainspotter]

Super video, great train ride! Thumbs Up Greetings from Dublin Andrew

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Glad you enjoyed it Andrew 😊

[@pauortiz8949]

The most scenic trip I’ve ever taken is in the interior of Catalonia, called El tren dels llacs (or the lakes train)

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Ooh interesting!

[@juliomota7430]

Very special tour. Thank you

[@NonstopEurotrip]

You're welcome 😄

[@scottyerkes1867]

Beautiful scenery!! Lower speed more appropriate for this route. Thank you for sharing.😀😀

[@NonstopEurotrip]

It's not all about highspeed trains 😊

[@scottyerkes1867]

@@NonstopEurotrip Absolutely. The US also has rail lines where speed isn't appropriate. Have a great day😀😀

[@lauriemartins1199]

Really nice video … I‘ ll go there in September with French friends who are visiting me in Portugal !

[@matthewharty6531]

Wow what a stunning journey, never been to Portugal yet, but that has whetted my appetite, as the saying goes. In the Spain the river is called the Duero and it passes by Valladolid which is well worth a visit. It was actually briefly the capital of Spain during the reign of Philipe in the 1600's and is also the place of Christopher Colombus's death. Great food and wine and one of the oldest Holy week's still practiced, it's an amazing sight for sure

[@NonstopEurotrip]

You should definitely go! I visited Valladolid a couple of months ago and filmed a trip on the S114 Avant New Pendolino from there to Madrid 😄🇪🇦

[@PatrickBrett-kb2zl]

incredible scenery, only beaten by the 'Iron Gate' departing from Rumania travelling to Serbia.

[@ByWire-yk8eh]

Nice video. I took this train ride June 21, 2023 (3 weeks ago). Really spectacular. There was a train strike, so there were only 2 or 3 round trips that day, but that was no problem at all. And seniors get half price, so it's very inexpensive. Thanks for the video.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thanks for the info! Do the doors still open?

[@ByWire-yk8eh]

@@NonstopEurotrip Yes, the doors stayed open. If the train lurched, I would have fallen out. But the track is very smooth compared to the NYC Metro North Hudson Line.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

@@ByWire-yk8eh Excellent 👌🏻

[@maxis044]

​@@ByWire-yk8ehhey, do you reckon which trains are loco hauled and which are not? or are all loco hauled? want to catch a similar train in a few weeks while in Porto and i want to make the most of it

[@theobrattinga500]

Great video !!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you!

[@sidewalkere]

Used to do Porto-Régua a couple of times a year some time ago. Always got the 0650 DMUs though. They also provided the "open door" experience. They are gone now. Really got to get one of these 1400 pulled trains to Pocinho before they too are gone.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Sad all the doors now lock on this line 🥲

[@teresareddy3538]

i really enjoyed this video .i am retiring this year and hope to make this trip later in the year.thanks for the info.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

It's well worth it Teresa! 😎

[@trippinoutdoors]

I absolutely loved this video and it therefore showed me how much I would love to ride this line myself and share it with the world! Man, it is truly rare when I find myself thinking "damn, I really want and need to enjoy that rail line someday" and put it into my head's filing system of "things to remember I need to do when I get the chance in the future!". Super saddened to hear they're retrofitting the coaches taking away some of that true historical charm of being able to enjoy poking your head and cams out the doors though while in motion. I get the safety concept of it, but I still value the opportunity it gives us over safety for sure. Just using common sense, and the wall of the car, along with hitching yourself to that safety bar alongside the doors, is plenty to keep you safe & secure. It is truly unfortunate, and disheartening that I'll not be able to experience the same historical charm and joy of "head popping" out of the doors. But I literally said aloud to myself during this, "the only way this could get any more magical and better is if it was hauled by a Steam Locomotive!" then I see that they in fact do sometimes run a service in true historic fashion using one. So Both 1400 hauled and steam loco hauled trips are going onto the "to-do when able" list! But I also saw someone note the historic trip is much shorter as it does not go all the way through to the end of the line. Seems to me like a misstep and thus missed opportunity that would be rather lucrative in the long haul (pun half intended) for them to implement.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I would highly recommend doing the trip as it was such a great experience... And thank you for such a lovely comment ☺️

[@trippinoutdoors]

@@NonstopEurotrip Absolutely, and thank you for taking us on this ride with you!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

You're very welcome 🙂

[@alejandrayalanbowman367]

We had planned a trip to stay in a villa along the Douro and this was one of the planned excursions. For me the most scenic was the VSOE between Paris and Venice, followed by the line between Fort William and Inverness.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

One day I will do the VSOE 😍

[@PlanesTrainsBoatsOnline]

great video, good catch

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thanks 😊

[@davidpan5176]

We took it from Porto Campana to Pocinho, but not on this train, but another type of diesel regional train. We turned around and got off at Pinhao and spent the afternoon there before taking the last train back to Porto.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Excellent 👌🏻😊

[@tomsmith5584]

Interesting trip. The most scenic ride I took on a train was the cog railway between Manitu Springs, Colorado and the summit of Pike's Peak.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Wow that trip sounds amazing!!

[@simonc7947]

Is there a turntable at Pocinho, or do they run the locomotive nose first on the return trip?

[@ruipina5636]

those locos can be exploited in either direction without restrictions. They are equipped with two driver desks.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Na they just run it around Simon 👍🏻

[@mariovieira838]

No rentable at Pocinho. The locomotive is just shunted from front to back (it has 2 control stands). There are plans to reopen the line all the way to Barca de Alva

[@simonc7947]

The British version, the class 20 can be run both ways, but because the driver's view isn't as good nose first, they were/ are generally run in pairs, coupled nose to nose.

[@ruipina5636]

@@simonc7947 the 1400s like the british class 20, can be exploited in multiple of up to 3 locos.

[@RazudMezeghis]

You should take a look at Portugal historic train rides, theres 2 of them, one on the Douro Valley and another on the only and last meter gauge rail in the country, the Vouga Line... Both historic trains are pulled with steam locos.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thanks for the suggestions 🙂

[@joaosantanna7552]

Like from Rio de Janeiro - Brasil

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@johnmeyer2072]

I thought about taking this train on my trip to Porto in a few weeks. Don't know if I have the time this time, but maybe. That's 3 plus hours one way, right? BTW you have a good eye for scenery photography and your enthusiasm is infectious.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Thank you so much John, that really means a lot! 👍🏻 You should definitely take the trip, it's a great experience! It's around 3h20 each way, but you can do the complete trip in around 7 hours if you take the early train out (that we did) as it goes back around 20 mins after it arrives 🙂

[@paulwilliamdixon3674]

They should rebuild the branch lines and extend it to the Spanish border. This part of Portugal has very poor transport links since the railway extension and branch lines were closed.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

They definitely should!!!

[@filipeantunes8848]

They have been pushes by the gvt to (re)connect all the regions capitals by 2030. Let's hope they keep they stick to them

[@ExcleeeTV]

Sorry for the late answer but a few weeks ago some people in portugal, by some I mean the government, just confirmed that this line will now extend to Barca D'Alva, the last stop before the spain border. They're planning on renewing the last part of the line and make the connection from Pocinho to Barca D'Alva. Unfortunately we still don't really know when this work will start but still, gives us a lot of hope! :) Really good video btw, thanks for showing my country in such a beautiful way!

[@gwbooker1]

I enjoyed the Chemins de fer de Provence from Nice to Digne, especially when they ran steam for part of the route, but that was maybe 20 years ago now.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Wow sounds amazing 😍

[@icyndaquilhd7953]

By far my most scenic railway experiences are two,and both are with historical trains!! 1. Historical train from Siena to Trequanda trough Tuscanian hills such as Val d'Orcia and Terre di Siena,my train was a "littorina" train called Aln772. 2. Historical train from Firenze (departing from Santa Maria Novella station) to Ravenna trough the second most important mountain chain of Italy,the "Appennini",it was so cool,expecially at dusk when i was returning from Ravenna!! My train was composed by a D445 locomotive in old livery and Centoporte carriages!! If you come again here in Italy i highly recommend these type of experiences,check out the Italian historical train program!! Congrats from Italy🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Ah brilliant! I will be in Italy again soon but probably won't have time to fit these in this time, but have put them on my to-do list 👍🏻😎🇮🇹

[@pega17pl]

(11:08) Self-opening doors? The famous South Europe lifestyle!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

😅😅😅

[@Desmaad]

4:36 Yeesh! And I thought VIA ran some old stock!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Lol yeah 😅

[@Ricardojosr]

Never forget ... the most but not the only, Beira Baixa is also in a large extent.

[@SternenruferinPatchouli1]

haha that open door!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Brilliant isn't it 😂