lars' transport worldWell, what is this strange train? Let's find out the next day #BlankSpots!
The next morning, I find a train made up of four old CP wagons waiting for me on the platform at Porto Campanhã. Many others and I were looking forward to a picturesque ride on the Linha da Douro. Judging by the conversations ("What country's national railways are called Renfe? Wasn't it Portugal?"), I assume that not only rail enthusiasts are present. (1/5) #BlankSpots
Did I say 'train'? Well, that's not the case yet. First, let's couple the coaches to this diesel locomotive. Then we can set off on the picturesque Linha de Douro. (2/5) #BlankSpots
One hour after leaving Porto Campanha, our train finally arrives at the River Douro. The landscape gradually changes from green to... less green. (3/5) #BlankSpots
These days, the Linha do Douro ends at Pocinho. The section to Spain closed in 1988. So, it's time to head back. At the intermediate stations, additional assengers board, carrying wine boxes. (4/5) #BlankSpots
Life is better with #FensterAuf, at least sometimes! (5/5) #BlankSpots
After arriving back at Porto Campanhã station, my first ever ride on the Alfa Pendular train is about to begin. It is a modern, fast train with many passengers waiting for the weekend, and unfortunately I couldn't take a picture. Something reminds me of Stockholm, but what? I'm heading south through the mist along the coast. 🔊: "Nästa: Coimbra-B" #BlankSpots
Unfortunately, Coimbra-A station, the terminus, closed in January 2025. Coimbra-B, which is located on the outskirts of the city, is therefore the only remaining station. However, it seems that the closed railway line will be used for a future BRT system connecting the city to Coimbra-B. This seems like a very good idea, given the congestion on the streets. #BlankSpots
The Linha do Vouga is Portugal's last metre-gauge railway line. I head back north to Aveiro, but luck is not on my side today. For some reason, all day long, trains are being replaced by buses. With my plans having fallen through, I head back to Coimbra. At least I get the chance to take my first Intercidades ride. #BlankSpots
The next day is #Intercidades day! Starting in Coimbra-B, the Linha da Beira Alta is the first of two lines on today's programme. The upper section, which begins at Santa Comba Dão, offers particularly picturesque views of the rolling hills. #BlankSpots
Three #CP #Intercidades trains run daily on the Linha de Beira Alta, from Lisbon to Guarda and back. These comprise three modernised Sorefame carriages, one of which is a café and first-class carriage.
As with all Intercidades trains, it is mandatory to reserve a seat, which costs €5 for an #Interrail pass and can only be purchased at Portuguese ticket desks. #BlankSpots
As with all Intercidades trains, it is mandatory to reserve a seat, which costs €5 for an #Interrail pass and can only be purchased at Portuguese ticket desks. #BlankSpots
Guarda is the terminus for both the Intercidades services on the Linha da Beira Alta and the Linha da Beira Baixa. There are two Regional trains a day that run further to Vilar Formoso on the border, but there are no connecting trains to Spain. In any case, it's time to disembark and bridge the transfer time. If I had enough time, I could visit the old town of Guarda, which is located 150 metres higher than the station. I wonder if there's a bus from Guarda staziun to Guarda cumün. 🤭 #BlankSpots
The second #CP #Intercidades train today is the Guarda–Lisbon service, which runs via the Linha de Beira Baixa. This is the first chance to take a photo of a complete Intercidades train. #BlankSpots
The views along the Linha de Beira Baixa are charming. It runs along the eastern edge of the Serra da Estrela. However, the train journey could be better. The air conditioning doesn't work, so hot October air is blown into the train. A passenger closed one of the four emergency windows, so there is no fresh air flow. The locomotive made five full stops in the middle of nowhere. #BlankSpots
For some reason, our #Intercidades Guarda-Lisbon stops at Barca da Amieira - Envendos for about thirty minutes. #BlankSpots
With a delay of about 50 minutes, I arrive at Lisboa Oriente. I finally want to check in at my hotel and skip the station review. However, the departure of my connecting Urbano is delayed by another 15 minutes. Consequently, it gets very crowded. #BlankSpots
Two days later, at Entrecampos station again. The displays and announcements aren't working and one Urbano train after another serves or passes the station. After about 35 minutes of waiting, my #Intercidades train to Faro finally arrives and the screens start working again. #BlankSpots
In the end, the #Intercidades train from Lisbon to Faro is delayed by around 45 minutes. There are lots of international tourists on the train, all seeking the sun in southern Portugal. The beautiful scenery is passing by, but the journey still feels rather slow. #BlankSpots
The connecting regional train from Faro to Vila Real de Santo António has been delayed by more than 45 minutes waiting for the Intercidades train from Lisbon. I get off at an intermediate stop and spent a couple of days doing normal tourist things. 🏖 #BlankSpots
Impressions of the 🇵🇹 Linha do Algarve 😊
Electrification work on the line was finished in June 2025, so I am wondering how long the #CP class 0450 DMU will remain operational here. Taking pictures and travelling along the line proved very nerve-racking, as there were delays of more than 40 minutes every day. Pictures that were supposed to be taken before sunset had to be taken afterwards. #BlankSpots
Electrification work on the line was finished in June 2025, so I am wondering how long the #CP class 0450 DMU will remain operational here. Taking pictures and travelling along the line proved very nerve-racking, as there were delays of more than 40 minutes every day. Pictures that were supposed to be taken before sunset had to be taken afterwards. #BlankSpots
The Lagos station marks the westernmost point of the Linha do Algarve, making it the most southwesterly railway station in Europe! I never would have thought that I could find plant-based kanelbullar and kardemummabullar nearby. 🤯 #BlankSpots
It's time to head back north and say goodbye to the blue 0450 DMUs I've grown used to. A regional train will take me to Faro, where I'll have to wait for my Intercidades train. #BlankSpots
Over the past 10 days, I have grown to love the #CP #Intercidades train. This Faro–Lisbon train is almost my last Intercidades on this trip. The Corail and Sorefame coaches create a cosy atmosphere. The only annoying thing is buying seat reservations for my Interrail pass at the stations. #BlankSpots
The next day begins as the previous one ended: With an Intercidades train at Lisboa-Oriente station. The platform is crowded with international tourists travelling to Porto. As usual, there is chaos while boarding. Passengers unfamiliar with rail travel wander through the train with heavy luggage, looking for their seats. Some even mistake the ticket price for their seat number. The lack of some coach numbers doesn't make things easier. #BlankSpots
I'm getting off at Entroncamento. I have travelled halfway back up Portugal, but it is time to change direction now. Unfortunately, there is no time to visit the national rail museum. #BlankSpots
Now, this is insane! 🤯 A single railcar resembling a Teletubby runs between 🇵🇹 Entroncamento and 🇪🇦 Badajoz twice a day. This regional train is part of the only direct route between Lisbon and Madrid. The journey between these two cities takes more than 8.5 hours by train. The train is crowded with both local and long-distance travellers. Hopefully, things will improve soon with the opening of the new high-speed line between Évora and Badajoz. #BlankSpots
The welcome in Badajoz is cold. The connecting train to Madrid is waiting with open doors on the track opposite. However, three grim Adif guards positioned along the platform ensure that noone boards the train. Instead, everyone walks the length of the platform to the station building, only to return to the same platform after showing their ticket. I find it hard to understand. Either design your station to be suitable for access control, or abolish it! I'm glad I can call it a day. #BlankSpots
Badajoz might not be well known outside the world of train travellers. It is a nice city with a pleasant old town. #BlankSpots
The next morning, I'm on the same platform at Badajoz again. My Alvia to Madrid was due to leave at 07:21, and for the first time in a while, my journey was beginning in complete darkness. I was very surprised when I realised that this was a bimodal high-speed train! Only the section between Badajoz and Plasencia is electrified. As it is an Iberian-gauge train, it arrives at Atocha Cercanías. #BlankSpots
At Madrid Atocha-Cercanías station, there are overhead network diagrams showing which trains are departing from each platform! 😍 #BlankSpots
My journey home continues swiftly. An #AVE train takes me from Madrid to Girona. My first-class carriage is less than half full. I'm surprised that lunch is served for free! This is my fifth time travelling in first class on an AVE, and I've never experienced that before. Four hours after boarding in Madrid, I arrive at Girona's underground station. #BlankSpots
There isn't much time for rest; the journey continues the following morning. Girona means: Rodalies de Catalunya. While I appreciate the frequent trains, they are not very comfortable, with hard seats and sometimes a 3+2 seating configuration. Nevertheless, it is a charming trip on an almost empty train to Portbou. #BlankSpots
Border stations have a unique character! 😍 Two rail systems connect with each other. The infrastructure seems oversized for modern purposes. Abandoned facilities tell stories of a busy past. This is certainly true of Portbou station. #BlankSpots
Noxie 
@larstransportworld I'm surprised tbh, my experience is with Basel HB mainly which is as busy as can be. It really feels too small for the amount of passengers. If we take the inland stations that provide a good amount of international trains, Bern HB is also a bit crowded for the amount of people. The only one that feels right is Zürich HB. I find it amazing I can just do one train change in Bern or Zürich and end up anywhere from Paris to Hamburg to Milano to Vienna. It's such an amazing comfort.
Why do you think other spots are less popular? Those international stations are so fucking amazing...
@Noxie Certainly, I didn't mean Basel SBB. Apparently, it's the biggest border station in Europe! Of course, my toot was a pointed statement and doesn't apply to every border station, especially those in cities (e.g. also Geneva). The loss/reduction of facilities specific to border stations is less apparent there. However, I think it's the case for smaller stations such as Bayrisch Eisenstein, Gouvy, Jesenice, Latour-de-Carol, Longwy, Nova Gorica, (formerly) Puttgarden, Vallorbe, Villa Opicina.
@larstransportworld Vallorbe being the one I know best it's indeed quite deserted. Tho the question remains. IMO it's not really that border stations are getting deserted it's more that the visitors are more centralised. In the hay days of Vallorbe the region was quite popular with its retreats and all. but I think the main issue was manual signalling on railways. There's no fucking way a station like Lausanne could handle more than a quarter of the train traffic without electronic signalings. When everything got electonised it was like making all the stations 4x bigger overnight pretty much. That means the actual destinations of those border stations visitors suddenly became accessible. Nobody wanna be in Gorizia, they were going to Venice or Milano. Today we have the tech and the capacity to run a Ljubljana - Milano directly.
The ones that survived are the ones that are also destinations.
That's my theory as to why they became useless.
Oh and Schengen did a LOT to allow long distance direct trains too
@Noxie Probably we are talking past each other. Yes, Schengen and direct (high-speed) trains concentrated the rail network on fewer long-distance lines without changing at the border. That's exactly my point!
This and the fact that many of the old border stations are located in less populated areas are the reasons, why there are only a few passengers in the waiting halls at the old border stations, noone goes through customs etc. I am not talking about the capacity in terms of trains.
This and the fact that many of the old border stations are located in less populated areas are the reasons, why there are only a few passengers in the waiting halls at the old border stations, noone goes through customs etc. I am not talking about the capacity in terms of trains.