Carviçais station on the Sabor line in March 2007, over
18 years since the total closure of the line.Photo Tony Bowles
The Sabor line like the Corgo & Tamega lines was a feeder to the Douro valley line built by the CF do Estado with construction spread over many years. Work started on the first section in 1904 but it was the 17th September 1911 before this was opened from Pocinho to Carviçais. In 1922 building recommenced and the line was extended to Lagoaça on 6th July 1927 and on to Mogadouro on the 1st July 1930. The Estado were reluctant to invest more money in a loss making venture and the line never reached either of its tentatively planned destinations, with final section built opening to Duas Igrejas, 106km from Pocinho, on 22nd May 1938.
Following nationalisation the CP quickly invested in railcars to reduce operating costs leaving steam locomotives in charge of the mixed trains until quite near the end.
From the late 1970s buses frequently replaced the rail services on the Sabor line and took over completely from May 1981 but freight services continued at a dwindling level until 1988, with diesel locomotives taking over from steam sometime in 1986.
An exhibition to mark the centenary of the opening of the Sabor line between Pocinho & Carviçais was held at the Restaurante O Artur in Carviçais from 22nd October to 12th November 2011. A poster regarding this (in Portuguese) can be downloaded here
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