Portugal - narrow gauge trains

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A class 069 historic diesel engine made by the French company Alsthom. There was a metre gauge train line called the Corgo line (Linha do Corgo) running from Régua by the river Douro uphill to the town of Vila Real. The line was closed down after a serious accident in 2008 although it had a remarkable touristic importance, but the reparation costs were deemed too high. This one was one of the most modern locomotives of the line. Picture in Régua 22.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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A steering cab coach of the former Corgo line. This was a steering wagon of a two coach diesel multiple unit purchased second hand from former Yugoslavia and used on the Corgo line Régua - Vila Real. Picture in Régua 22.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Steam engine E 214 or class 079 no.214 of the former Corgo line narrow gauge network. Unfortunately vandals had smeared ugly paintings on the old coaches of the historic train. Picture in Régua 22.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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One of the last remnants of the former Corgo line narrow gauge railroad, this stem locomotive "M.D.409" stands alone and forgotten in a park in the town of Vila Real. It was built by Henschel & Sohn in Cassel, Germany in 1908 with the factory number 8818. Picture 21.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Another view of the same engine M.D.409. Picture in Vila Real 21.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Yet another view of the same engine M.D.409. Picture in Vila Real 21.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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This was the station of Vila Real, the endpoint of the Corgo line narrow gauge train Regua - Vila Real. Traffic was suspended here in 2008-09 after a serious accident caused by derailment because of poor quality of the rails. New rails were bought and were stored here as the intention was to put the line again to operational use, but then the state of Portugal ran out of money. Picture in Vila Real 21.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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The old turntable of the metre gauge former Corgo line. Picture in Vila Real 21.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Only rails and trains are missing, the old station of Vila Real would still be in prime shape. Picture in Vila Real 21.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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At the other end of the former Corgo narrow gauge line, in Regua, the metre gauge rails are still in good shape. Here they meet the standard Iberian 1668 mm broad gauge line. Picture in Regua 22.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Not all the former Corgo line locomotives are in prime condition. This is what the railroad enthusiasts call a potential project :-) Picture in Regua 22.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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...or should we rather call these as potential spare parts spenders? :-) Picture of locomotive 3 978208 in Regua 22.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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No. 079210 looks a bit better than its comrades. Picture in Regua 22.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Compared with the previous ones, this "EI" shunter looks almost perfect. The text says it was built by Henschel & Sohn in Cassel (Germany) in 1922. Picture in Regua 22.6.2012 by Ilkka Siissalo.
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