FUTURE MEMORY | TRANSPORTATION

Streetcar operated by Carris seen at Largo da Sé, Lisboa , in June 2012. This streetcar with fleet number 576 is a Carris Remodelado, included in a series of 45 units placed in service in 1995–96. It features a historic wooden body combined with a modern "truck". With an overall length of 27.5 ft, it can accommodate 20 seated passengers and 38 standees (20+38+1). Reversible seats. Unidirectional operation. Four doors, only those on the right are used in service, no steps on the left. Front entrance. Fed via Schunk pantograph or trolley pole by 600 V DC, this streetcar uses two 50 kW (68 hp) Škoda ALS 2840 IN traction motors. It has two Kiepe controllers, a NF 51 at the front and a RSH 201 at the rear for moving the car backwards. Gauge is 2 ft 11 7⁄16 in. Top speed is 31 mph. Everyday challenges include operation in narrow streets with curve radii of less than 32.8 ft and ascents of up to 14.5%. Established in 1872, Carris, or Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa , opera...

Light rail vehicle operated by MTS seen at Terminal de Corroios, Lisboa, in September 2019. This light rail vehicle with fleet number C016 is a Siemens Combino Plus completed in 2005. It features a four-section articulated body and low-floor. With an overall length of 119.3 ft, it can accommodate 74 seated passengers and 237 standees (74+237+1). SKA seats. Bi-directional operation. Fed via pantograph by 750 V DC, this light rail vehicle uses six 100 kW (136 hp) traction motors. Wheelset arrangement is Bo‘Bo‘2‘Bo. Track gauge is 4 ft 8 ½ in. Top speed is 43 mph. Based in Seixal , MTS, or Metro Transportes do Sul, operates regular services on its surface metro system serving the cities of Almada and Seixal, south of Lisbon. The system has 8.4 miles and three routes. Public service starts in May 2007 in the Corroios–Cova da Piedade section. The fleet consists of 24 Siemens Combino Plus light rail vehicles, numbered C001–C024. Here, we see this Siemens Combino Plus on regular service...

Coach operated by Leonardo seen at Terminal do Campo Grande, Lisboa, in June 2018. This coach with fleet number 615 is a first-generation Caetano Enigma registered in 2000. It has an overall length of 39.4 ft and can accommodate 51 seated passengers (51+1+1). It uses the MAN 18.310 HOCL/A chassis with the 228 kW (310 hp) MAN D2866 LOH engine. Based in Frielas , Leonardo, or Henrique Leonardo Mota, operates regular services, regular specialized services, and occasional services. Here, we see this Caetano Enigma on regular service Guerreiros–Campo Grande (Via Almirante). Presented in1996, the Caetano Enigma, preceded by the Gaia and the Delta and succeeded by the Winner in 2004, is in my opinion one of the best coaches designed and built in Portugal. In 2019, I have the chance to ride in several examples and in spite of their age I am still impressed by the comfort and ride quality of the Caetano Enigma and by the almost complete absence of parasite noises in the bodywork. According...

Coach operated by TST seen at Gare do Oriente, Lisboa, in October 2012. This coach with fleet number 979 is a Caetano Gaia III registered in 1997. It has an overall length of 39.4 ft and can accommodate 51 passengers (51+1+1). Fainsa seats. It uses the Mercedes-Benz OHL 1829 chassis with the 213 kW (290 hp) Mercedes-Benz OM 441 LA engine. Based in Laranjeiro , TST, or Transportes Sul do Tejo , operates regular services, regular specialized services, and occasional services. Here, we see this Caetano Gaia III on regular service 562, Lisboa (Gare do Oriente)–Setúbal. Thinking of buses manufactured in Portugal, this Caetano Gaia III is one of my favorites. I like its simple lines and balanced proportions, which remind me in some details of the Setra 315 GT-HD. I also like its spacious and comfortable interior. I believe all Caetano Gaia III use a Mercedes-Benz chassis, first the OH 1827 L with the OM 442 engine, then the OHL 1829 with the OM 441 LA engine. Throughout its long life, ...

Double-deck coach operated by Rodoviária do Tejo seen at Praça do Comércio, Lisboa, in January 2012. This double-deck coach with fleet number 4060 is a CAMO Apollo DD registered in 1996. It has an overall length of approximately 39.4 ft. It uses the MAN 16.370 HOCL/A chassis with the MAN D2866 LOH engine. Based in Torres Novas , Rodoviária do Tejo operates regular services, regular specialized services, and occasional services. Here, we see this CAMO Apollo DD in an occasional service. Some readers will notice the luggage lid with a different paint scheme, possibly coming from a donor vehicle (first lid on the right side of a three-axle unit?). As a note of interest regarding the MAN chassis, HOCL/A denotes a bus chassis (OC, Omnibuschassis ), equipped with a rear engine (H, Heck ) and air suspension (L, Luft ). Credible sources tell me the /A comes from the Portuguese expression Autoportante , denoting a self-supporting body. Still, I find peculiar the presence of a Portuguese ex...