Tagus vintage train back on the Beira Baixa Line

The Tejo Vintage Train is back on the rails and, in 2024, it will make two special runs, on Saturdays 23 and 30 November. Those embarking on this experience will have the opportunity to watch a historical re-enactment of the journey of King Carlos and Queen Amélia on the Beira Baixa Line, visit the National Railway Museum and the Railway Neighbourhoods or see various places of interest such as the emblematic Almourol Castle, Belver Castle or the Portas de Ródão Natural Monument.

The journey will take place on Schindler carriages, with panoramic windows that allow passengers take advantage of the landscapes of the Ribatejo marshland and the riverside route along the River Tagus, especially the stretch between Entroncamento and Vila Velha de Ródão, showing the tourist potential of the Beira Baixa Line.

Among the novelties are the offer of a typical sweet, ‘Feijadinhas’, to welcome passengers; a historical re-enactment on board by a theatre group and visits to the Railway Neighbourhoods, where travellers can choose between two different programmes.

The first includes the journey between Lisbon and Entroncamento (round trip). After being welcomed by a guide at Entroncamento Station, there will be a visit to the Boneco, Vila Verde and Camões railway districts, where the history of this important railway heritage will be explained. After lunch time, where there is the option, by appointment and at an extra cost, to have lunch on board the restaurant carriages that are part of the Museum's collection, participants will also have the opportunity to visit the National Railway Museum, see more than 160 years of railway history in Portugal and travel on a mini-train. Before returning to the station, the Municipality of Entroncamento will offer everyone tea and a traditional sweet - ‘o Ferroviário’.

The second programme covers the route between Lisbon and Castelo Branco, allowing passengers to enjoy beautiful landscapes and monuments, such as Almourol Castle, Belver Castle or the Portas de Ródão Natural Monument. Passengers will be greeted by a guide and a musical group at the train station, with free time until 5.15 p.m. to have lunch and visit the city of Castelo Branco. They will get half-price access to various points of interest if they show their Vintage Train ticket, from the Cargaleiro Museum to the Castelo Branco Embroidery Interpretation Centre, the Centre for Contemporary Culture, the Textile Museum in the parishes of Cebolais de Cima and Retaxo, the House of Jewish Memory, the Jardim do Paço Interpretation Centre, the Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior Museum, the Silk Museum and the Stonemason's Museum in Alcains. To mark Castelo Branco's nomination as a ‘UNESCO Creative City’, in the category of ‘Crafts and Popular Arts’, the town council will present a plaque alluding to the date, which will be another memory of a day well spent. The train leaves Castelo Branco station for Lisbon at 17.28.

The Tejo Vintage Train is scheduled to arrive at Lisbon-Santa Apolónia Station at 20:32.

This tourist product is the result of a partnership between CP - Comboios de Portugal, the National Railway Museum and Castelo Branco City Council, with the collaboration of Entroncamento City Council.

Vintage do Tejo 2024 at a glance

Capacity: 304 seats;

Dates: 23 and 30 November (Saturdays);

Timetable: Outward journey - Reception in Lisbon-Santa Apolónia at 8:30 and departure at 8.55; stops in Lisbon-Oriente (9:03), Vila Franca de Xira (9:18) and Entroncamento (10:08), arriving in Castelo Branco at 12:12; Return journey - Departure from Castelo Branco at 17:28; stops in Entroncamento at 19:17, Vila Franca de Xira (20:08), Lisbon-Oriente (20:25), arriving in Lisbon-Santa Apolónia at 20:32;

Programmes: Two to choose from - Programme 1 - Between Lisbon-Santa Apolónia and Entroncamento (round trip); Programme 2 - Between Lisbon-Santa Apolónia and Castelo Branco (round trip);

Prices: Programme 1 - €27 per Adult, €16 per Child (4 to 12 years) | Programme 2 - €43 per Adult, €22 per Child (4 to 12 years); there are special prices for groups;

On sale from: ticket offices or online at www.cp.pt.

Benefits: The train has a bar service available in its own carriage; those who leave their car in the Lisboa-Oriente car park will be able to enjoy preferential fares, simply by showing their train ticket; in Castelo Branco, passengers will have 50% off access to various museums by showing their Tagus Vintage Train ticket.

All the information can be found at www.cp.pt.