Electrification

(1895-1904)

Geographical the city of Porto is beautifully situated on hills. But for vehicles with animal traction this is a serious disadvantage. In many streets six mules were needed to haule a small tramcar in the ascending direction. This economical unfeasible situation made the tramcompany to search for an alternative kind of traction. As a kind of pilot, the "Restauração" branch line was electrified in 1895 (start of operation September 12). Evidently it became a succes. During 1896-1898 the complete Marginal was electrified.

Between 1899 and 1904 also the urban lines were converted. The steamtram was retained until 1914.

Overviews of the total network and the central area in 1902 are given on the maps. In 1904, on the moment all animal traction was suspended, the following lines did exist:

electric traction

• Linha Marginal: Praça D.Pedro V - Infante - Alfândega - Massarelos - Foz (Castelo) - Castelo do Queijo - Matosinhos (Brito Capelo) - Leça da Palmeira (Electrified Infante - Arrabida 1896, Arrabida - Foz 2 April 1897, Foz - Castelo do Queijo 24 May 1897, Castelo do Queijo - Leça 29 October 1897)

• Linha da Restauração: Carmo - Massarelos - Arrábida (Electrified 12 September 1895)

• Linho do Palácio: Praça D.Pedro V (nowadays Praça da Liberdade) - Palácio de Crystal (Electrified 17 September 1903)

• Linha da Boavista ao Carmo: Carmo - Rua do Rosário (opposite direction Cedofeita) - Carvalhosa - Boavista - Fonte da Moura (Electrified 1 August 1903)

• Linha de Paranhos: Praça D.Pedro V - Campo da Regeneração (nowadays Praça da Republica) - Paranhos (Electrified 22 September 1904)

• Linha de Costa Cabral: Infante - Praça D.Pedro V - Praça Marquês de Pombal - Rua Costa Cabral - Largo da Cruz (Electrified 19 May 1899 between Praças D.Pedro V & Pombal, until Largo da Cruz in 1902)

• Lunha de S.Roque: Praça D.Pedro V - Bonfim - S.Roque (Electrified 16 May 1903)

• Linha de Campanhã: Carmo - Praça D.Pedro V - Batalha - Campanhã (Electrified 1 August 1903, between Carmo and Batalha 6 October 1900)

• Linha da Santa Catarina: Batalha - Santa Catarina - Gonçalo Cristóvão - Campo da Regeneração - Rua da Boavista - Boavista (Electrified 1903)

• Linha de Circulação: Praça D.Pedro V - Santa Catarina - Gonçalo Cristóvão - Campo da Regeneração - Cedofeita - Carmo - Praça D.Pedro V (Electrified 1904)

steam traction

• Boavista - Fonte da Moura - Foz (Cadouços) - Castelo do Queijo - Matosinhos (Roberto Ivens)

Network 1898

Network 1902

Central area 1902

Clicking on the maps will result in a new window with a larger view.