New Trams for Lisbon: The tramway system in Lisbon, capital city of Portugal, is operated by 'Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa', known as CCFL, nowadays using the fleet name 'Carris'. In 2021 Carris ordered 15 CAF Urbos trams to replace the 1995 500 series articulados. Delivery of the 600 series trams begin in 2023 and continued into 2024. The bogies and motors had to be re-designed to fit Lisbon's 900mm gauge. These trams are only to be found on route 15, Praça da Figueira - Jardim de Algés. This is a long, flat route that runs alongside the River Tagus. It is proposed to extend the route from Algés to Cruz Quebrada, this section was closed in 1996, the track and overhead are still in place which should make re-opening not to difficult.
Traditional Lisbon Trams on the Hilly Routes: The hilly routes are numbered 12, 18, 25 & 28, these routes are operated with 45 'Remodelodos' 2 axle trams which were rebuilt from older cars and fitted with new trucks and electrical equipment in 1995/6. In 2018 route 24, Praça Luís de Camões - Campolide, was re-opened after being suspended in 1995, Remodelados are also used on this route. The trams used on these routes have become on of the symbols of Lisbon, route 28 attracts thousands of visitors, and is noteworthy for the narrow streets traversed in the Graça district of the city.
Porto Tram Parade & Heritage Tram Operation: In 2024 the annual tram parade took place on the 4th May. Fifteen trams and trailers were taken out of the STCP museum at Massarelos and ran alongside the River Douro to Passeio Alegre, reversing there to run to Infante and then back to Massarelos museum and depot. In 2024, Porto has two heritage tram routes, number 1 runs from Passeio Alegre to Infante, and route 18 also runs from Passeio Alegre but diverges at Massarelos to go up hill to Carmo, and terminating at Clérigos. The route from here to Batalha is currently suspended due to Metro tunnel construction in the city centre. The heritage trams used on these routes are operated from Massarelos depot.
Metro do Porto Light Rail System: Line A from Trindade (in the city centre) to Matosinhos, via Senhora da Hora opened in 2002. This was followed by line B to Póvoa de Varzim, which utilised a former narrow gauge railway which had terminated at Trindade, this line was opened in 2005. Since then lines to ISMAI, Fânzeres, the airport, and line D to Hospital Sao Joao have been built, more lines are planned for the future. Line D is the only route to cross the River Douro. It utilises the upper level of the Dom Luis I bridge on its route to Santo Ovidio, this line is being extended to Villa d'Este. The initial rolling stock for the Metro were 72 Bombardier Eurotrams, these were followed by 30 Bombardier Flexity Swift LRVs. The newest LRVs are 18 built by CRRC, Tangshan, China. Metro do Porto features street running, tunnels in the city centre, former railway lines, and reserved track, some roadside.
Subtitles, no commentary, enjoy the sights and sounds of the trams in Lisbon & Porto.
Produced by - Bob Hodges Transport DVD's
Running time - 75 Minutes
Format - 16:9 Widescreen PAL (UK)
DVD only
Released - July 2024
