New Knights Templar Steam Train combines railways, history and identity

CP’s tourism proposal, between Entroncamento and Tomar, focuses on linking the railway to the local area

On 7 and 8 November, CP – Comboios de Portugal will launch the Knights Templar Steam Train, a new tourist attraction linking Entroncamento to Tomar, with an on-board experience that promises to engage passengers by linking the railway heritage with the history and identity of the region.

The train, comprising five historic carriages, will be hauled by the century-old steam locomotive CP 0186, on a journey that revives some of the most striking features of the early decades of rail transport and aims to transport passengers back to another era.

The initiative brings, for the first time, a unique railway experience to the Tomar Branch Line, with steam traction and the link between Tomar and the Templar heritage as its key distinguishing details.

Under the theme “The Journey of the Knights Templar”, the trip will feature on-board entertainment, with participants being symbolically transported back to the 12th century, the period when the Order of the Temple established itself in Portugal, with D. Afonso Henriques and D. Gualdim Pais as key figures. Passengers will be invited to take part in a medieval quest that unfolds throughout the journey.

Entertainment runs throughout the journey and takes place across all five carriages, with various activities moving through the train. The history of the Knights Templar, the knights’ weapons and equipment, symbols and myths associated with the Order, aspects of medieval daily life, music and dance are all details that form part of a shared narrative, allowing all passengers to engage with the various facets of the re-enactment.

The experience also extends beyond the journey itself. Passengers holding a ticket for the Entroncamento–Tomar route will be able to enjoy a free guided tour of points of interest in the town of Tomar, while passengers travelling on the Tomar–Entroncamento route will be granted free entry to the National Railway Museum on the day of their journey, if they show their ticket.

“The demand we have seen for our historical trains confirms the growing interest in railway-related tourist experiences. The Knights Templar Steam Train builds on this commitment, offering a unique experience that combines railway heritage with the history and identity of the region, contributing to its economic and tourist development,” Pedro Moreira, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CP said, highlighting the importance of the partnership with Tomar Town Council and the National Railway Museum.

Over the two days, the schedule features four daily services, two in each direction. From Entroncamento, the train departs at 10.06 a.m. and 4.40 p.m., arriving in Tomar at 11.05 a.m. and 5.36 p.m., respectively. In the opposite direction, departures from Tomar are at 12.15 p.m. and 6.55 p.m., arriving at Entroncamento at 1.17 p.m. and 7.57 p.m.

Tickets, priced at €26 for adults and €13 for children (aged 4 to 12), are now on sale and include the journey on the Knights Templar Steam Train and the return journey on the same day on a regular service. You can purchase tickets at CP ticket offices and online at cp.pt.