|
There was interest in a railroad as early as the mid-1840s, but the idea bounced around government circles for a decade. Construction of railroads in Portugal began (1853). The opening of the first railways in Portugal was an important event (1856). This was several decades after the rail lines appeared in Britain and were already well-established in Europe and North America. The railroad began as a government project. The Companhia Nacional de Caminho de Ferro ao Sul do Tejo was created (1855). Despite the name, this was a private company. The initial effort was to build a rail line from Lisbon and Carregado (1856). British companies provided the engineering work. The locomotives were imported. This is interesting. Why was Portugal so late to buld railroads, Why was the equipment imported? We believe it is the same reason that Portugal was not participating in the Industrial Revolution . We suspect that much of it relates to the Inquisition and the impact on the Portuguese pysche. Which impctedsociety and the education system. Of course Portugal was a small country, but other small European countries were important participants in the Industrial Revolution. We are mot sure about the rails. From that modest beginning, Portugal developed a a railway network with domestic and foreign destinations, playing an important role in the country's economy. Of course, the railroads were an important part of the Industrial Revolution. Bu even agriculturakl countries bebefeitted rom the railroads, only they did not paricipate in the imndustrial expansion that from wgich many other countries benefitted.
Lines were established both north and south of Lisbon. As rail link to the second city of Oporto in northern Portugal and on to the Spanish border at Badajoz. This connected Portugal to the expanding European rail network.
Portugal began building rail lines in their African colonies, Angola and Mozambique (1880s).
The Douro railway line along the Douro River was completed (1887). A major event occured in the same year with the Sud Express open service between Lisbon and France. Portugal created the Board of Directors of the CF Estado (State Railways) (1892). Most Portuguese railways remained privately owned, but were now subject to greater governmental regulation and a requirement for cooperative operations. A revolution over through the Portuguese monarchy and established a republic (1910). Portugal was a very conservative society. Without major industry, the rail employees were among the most radicalized in the country. There were many rail strikes (1910-23). The Portuguese rail lines were all based on coal-fired steam locomotives. The rail line between Cascais and Lisbon was electrified (1926) They used 1500 volts DC current. The new Lisbon station at Cais do Sodre was completed (1928) State-owned lines were leased to -Comboios de Portugal (CP) (1927). Thus brought most Portuguese railroads under Portugal under a single management.
The Sud Express service to France had to be suspended because of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). The Sorefame company was established, becoming the principal supplier of Portuguese rolling stock (1943).
Portugal was able to stay out of World War II, largely because Generalissimo Franco was able to ward off German intervention because of Hitler's obsession with the East. Importing coal became a problem during the War. In he final years of the War, train services had to be significantly curtailed due to coal shortages (1944-45). CP as a result began to look at diesel locomotives and rail cars. The entire Portuguese rail network was run by CP (by 1951). The lone exception was the Cascais line, which did not become fully part of the CP system (until 1976).
Portugal remained dependent on foreign-built equipment. The first mainline diesel locomotives (Série 1500) was acquired from Sweden (1948). Sweden also built the Série 0100 diesel railcars.
Overhead electrification (at 25 kV 50 Hz) was introduced on the line from Lisbon to Entroncamento (1957). The electrification was extended further northwards to Porto (1966). The final steam locomotives on the Iberian gauge lines were withdrawn (1970s). Some coal-fired seam lococomotives n metre gauge lines continued (into the 1980s).
The Lisbon Metro opened with one line (1959). At the same time , the first of the wide-gauge locomotives CP Class 3150 were introduced.
The Carnation Revolution by left-wing officers occurred (1974). The new government nationalized the CP (1975).
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Man Portuguese economy page]
[Return to the Man railroad page]
[Introduction]
[Animals]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Climatology]
[Clothing]
[Disease and Health]
[Economics]
[Geography]
[History]
[Human Nature]
[Law]
[Nationalism]
[Presidents]
[Religion]
[Royalty]
[Science]
[Social Class]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Children in History Home]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Polish pages:
[Portuguese choirs]
[Portuguese movies]
[Portuguese orphanages]
[Portuguese school uniforms]
[Portuguese sailor suits]
[Portuguese youth groups]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main Portuguese page]
[Australia]
[Canada]
[England]
[France]
[Germany]
[Ireland]
[Italy]
[New Zealand]
[Poland]
[Scotland]
[United States]
