>One of the most powerfull steam locomotives that served the railways in Portugal belonged to a private operator: Companhia dos Caminhos-de-Ferro da Beira Alta (Beira Alta's Railway). The series was composed by three locomotives , BA 101, BA 102 e BA 103. They were purchased to the german manufacturer Henschel & Shon in 1930 and were specifically designed for the Beira Alta line - a rare case in Portugal.

They sufered a refit were a double chimney and smoke deflectors were added.

In 1947 with the nationalitation of railways and the creation od CP, their designation changed to CP 801, CP 802, CP 803.

In 1950, they left service in the Beira Alta line and passed to the Entroncamento Depot. In 1964, CP803 was assigned to Vila nova de Gaia's depot while the other two remained at Entroncamento were they finished their days. They were decomissoned in 1968/9 and were never fitted for fuel-oil running.

Thecnical figures:

Total Weight: 140 t

Driving wheels diameter: 1630 mm

cylinder diameter: 420x640 mm

stroke: 650 mm

Tractive Effort: 12932 kg

In: Broad Gauge Steam Locomotives of Portugal, Walker, John R

Today, only one is poorly preserved: CP 801 sits at a newly built shelter in Vilar Formoso, a scarce centimeters from the Spanish border. CPV's team was granted access to the shelter by the local Councilman of Tourism. We were well received by him and the people from Tourism Information Post.

We wish to extend to them our most sincere apreciation not only for permiting us access to the locomotive but also for letting the key to the shelter stay at the local Tourims Kiosk allowing for any who passes by the oportunity to see close-hand one oh the greatest locomotives in Portugal, that tractioned great trains, on of them the Sud-Express, with all sorts of people, all of them with their, motivations, dreams and wishes that made them one day ride a train.

To the staff at Vilar Formoso's Tourism kiosk our gracious thanks for cleaning the dust and spider-webs of the locomotive so it looked nice to the photos. To them that also love this locomotive and remember with joy stories of the travels made in gon-by days.

To whomever wants to visit this esteamed piece of machinery, should go to Vilar Formoso, a small vilage in the border of Portugal with Spain and go directly to the Tourism kiosk near the old Customs and ask to see the locomotive.

This project has the suport of Almeida's city Council

Visit Almeida's city council website

Visite el sítio de la Alcaldía de Almeia

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