Linha da Beira Alta

Linha da Beira Alta is an international railway line which connects Pampilhosa on the Linha do Norte, close to Coimbra, to the border with Spain, at Vilar Formoso.

Linha da Beira Alta
Linha da Beira Alta close to Pampilhosa.
Overview
Status	Operational
Owner	Infraestruturas de Portugal
Termini	Pampilhosa Vilar Formoso
Technical
Line length	202 km (126 mi)[1]
Track gauge	Iberian
Electrification	25 kV / 50 kHz Overhead line
Route map

Location on the network

+ Pampilhosa × Vilar Formoso (🔎)

v t e Linha da Beira Alta
Legend
km Linha do Norte to Lisbon 50.426 Pampilhosa Linha do Norte to Porto 73.549 Mortágua 85.474 Santa Comba Dão 97.960 Carregal do Sal 102.368 Oliveirinha-Cabanas 109-097 Canas-Felgueira 117.212 Nelas 128.509 Mangualde 133.799 Contenças 144.208 Gouveia 152.243 Fornos de Algodres 167.919 Celorico da Beira 181.834 Vila Franca das Naves 206.307 Guarda Linha da Beira Baixa 225.872 Cerdeira 251.894 Vilar Formoso ADIF to Spain
Detailed diagram km Linha do Norte to Lisbon 50.426 Pampilhosa Ramal da Figueira da Foz Linha do Norte to Porto 54.052 Quinta do Valongo-Vacariça 56.320 Pego Carpinteiros tunnel 58 m 59.220 Luso-Buçaco Pequeno Salgueiral tunnel 103 m Grande Salgueiral tunnel 1,096 m Portinhas tunnel 76 m Várzeas River 63.200 Trezói Trezói tunnel 542 m Azeval tunnel 200 m 67.407 Soito Espinho tunnel 190 m Ribeira tunnel 84 m Monte Lobos tunnel 390 m 70.800 Monte dos Lobos/ Monte de Lobos 73.549 Mortágua 76.000 Freixo Breda Coval tunnel 33 m Linha de Penacova to Coimbra ( cancelled extension ) 85.474 Santa Comba Dão Linha do Dão to Viseu 89.830 Castelejo Santa Comba Dão Carregal do Sal 93.629 Papízios 95.600 Póvoa da Arenosa 97.960 Carregal do Sal 99.700 Alvarelhos 102.368 Oliveirinha-Cabanas 103.901 Fiais da Telha Carregal do Sal Nelas 107.050 Lapa do Lobo 109.097 Canas-Felgueira 111.900 Urgeiriça 115.453 Folhadal 117.212 Nelas Vilar Seco Nelas Mangualde 123.870 Moimenta-Alcafache 128.509 Mangualde Murilo tunnel 228 m 133.799 Contenças 139.888 Abrunhosa 140.260 Abrunhosa (original) Abrunhosa tunnel 305 m Mangualde Gouveia 144.208 Gouveia Gouveia Fornos de Algodres 152.243 Fornos de Algodres 157.617 Muxagata 160.655 Vila Boa do Mondego 167.919 Celorico da Beira 170.980 Minhocal 173.154 Baraçal 176.008 Maçal do Chão 177.890 Maçal da Ribeira Fornos de Algodres Trancoso 181.834 Vila Franca das Naves Linha do Côa to Pocinho ( cancelled branch ) Trancoso Pinhel 184.682 Cerejo 187.268 Pinhel Pinhel Guarda 191.670 Trajinha / Trajadinha 199.572 Sobral originally Sobral-Avelãs 202.500 Alvendre 206.307 Guarda Linha da Beira Baixa to Entroncamento 210.395 Gata Ramal de Monte Barro to Sabugal ( cancelled branch ) 213.516 Vila Garcia 216.894 Vila Fernando 222.008 Rochoso Guarda Sabugal 225.872 Cerdeira Sabugal Almeida 229.085 Miuzela 232.712 Noémi 237.275 Castelo Mendo 239.606 Malhada Sorda 244.241 Freineda 246.883 Aldeia originally Aldeia de São Sebastião   251.894 Vilar Formoso 252.161 Portugal Spain border ADIF Line 120 to Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca & Hendaye

The electrified, mostly single-track, iberian gauge (1,668 m) line runs parallel to the Mondego River.^[2] It is the main railway access from Portugal to the rest of Europe.^[1] It was constructed by Companhia dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses da Beira Alta to open a new international link, closer to Coimbra, and to connect the line to the Port of Figueira da Foz. It was opened on 3 August 1882.^[3] During the modernisation and electrification in the 1980s and 90s the signalling and tracks were replaced.^[1]

As of June 2023, the entire line is closed for further modernisation work with buses replacing passenger trains. Completion date unknown. The works include construction of a new chord, the Concordância da Mealhada, allowing freight trains from the north to avoid the Pampilhosa area. Level (grade) crossings are to be eliminated and upgraded signalling installed. More information, in Portuguese, at https://www.infraestruturasdeportugal.pt/pt-pt/modernizacao-da-linha-da-beira-alta-2

Linha da Beira Alta diagram on azulejos artwork at the Vilar Formoso railway station

See also

• List of railway lines in Portugal
• List of Portuguese locomotives and railcars
• History of rail transport in Portugal

References

1. Martins et al, 1996:198-199
2. "Beira alta, Beira baja y los Ramales de Cáceres y Badajoz". Maquetren (in Spanish). Madrid: A. G. B., s. l. 1994.
3. Torres, Carlos Manitto (1 February 1958). "A evolução das linhas portuguesas e o seu significado ferroviário" (PDF). Gazeta dos Caminhos de Ferro. Retrieved 11 January 2019.

Sources

• Martins, João; Brion, Madalena; Sousa, Miguel (1996). O Caminho de Ferro Revisitado (in Portuguese). Lisbon: Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses.
• "2019 Network Statement" (PDF). 7 December 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2019. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)