Now that's a nice video. As for these Corail cars, they're a French design from the 1970s, with CP buying the project (called VTU78) in 1981, from Alsthom, and the cars being built locally by Sorefame (the other type that you referred are Sorefame cars originally built by Sorefame in 1968, but thoroughgly modernized by CP in 1993/94, for IC services, and are some sort of Pseudo Corail copies, but the seats are better). These cars entered service in 1987/88, to be used in the top of the line Alfa service to Porto, later demoted to IC services as soon as the Pendolinos arrive. Apart from the seats and some furnishings, they're basically original, only getting some tech upgrades in order to be authorised to reach 200 Km/h (previous top speed was 160), hence the bumpy and sometimes noisy ride (but in some places track conditions are not very good, especially in places where there are still older french type conctete sleepers (of 'Bi-Block' type), and welded rail with ungrinded welds. A little sugestion when returning to Portugal; a trip on the famous and famed Douro valley route, in wich CP uses really vintage rolling stock; swiss cars from 1949 and English Electric diesels from the late 1960s. It's a wondrous and cheap return trip from Porto ;)

Portugal is often not listed as an overseas destination by many travelers - however, your various uploads illustrate it has a lot to offer - especially the scenery. I must confess I am not a big fan of fixed seating on trains(I can't travel backward for long distances - I appreciate that in Europe it is quite common, at least Amtrak ensures in the Coach long-distance carriages that everyone is facing the direction of travel). On another subject, I got to watch a documentary on Quebec City tonight - as per your earlier recommendation it is a very historic city to visit. Thank you for sharing your train journeys Thom - as always much appreciated as are your candid comments (I think all trains should remove paper toweling in toilets & use air hand dryers - unfortunately, some passengers just don't care about their fellow passengers!

@Thom-TRA

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, Japanese and American trains rotate the seats, but in Europe they are primarily fixed. I can totally understand why traveling backwards would be unpleasant. Unfortunately, when I picked these seats online, they didn’t show the direction of travel. Glad you enjoyed that documentary! I wish more people would share your passion for learning and traveling! It inspires me to keep going, too :) have a great rest of your weekend! Steer clear of gross toilets, haha

@dennisforner6090

2 жыл бұрын

@@Thom-TRA Thank you for your kind comments. I have found toilets, and especially those on trains & at railway stations, tend to be more of a 'hit & miss' situation & unfortunately thanks to mostly some inconsiderate males it is more of a miss! LOL. Greyhound bus terminals are the worst I have ever experienced. Whilst traveling in Italy I found the Freccia trains 🚾to be kept very clean but avoided the older regional trains. The train station toilets were also well kept but you had to pay to use them - which I don't mind as long as they were kept clean, which was my experience in Italy. I will be watching more videos as my wife has contracted COVID - given that you guys travel so much -please be extra careful as my wife did all the right things - always wore a mask & sanitized her hands😷. Stay safe.

@Thom-TRA

2 жыл бұрын

@@dennisforner6090 oh no! So sorry to hear about that! Wishing her a quick and smooth recovery and hoping you’ll stay safe yourself. I’ve got a 20 minute feature about Japanese trains ready for Wednesday, so you’ll have something to watch :) I tried to book a Greyhound last week. Worst customer service I’ve experienced in my life! Kept being called ma’am, even after asking her to stop… I promise we will be safe on our travels this week! Heading to Boston, will continue to mask on our flight.

Thank you for sharing this excellent review! I remember being impressed by Oriente station especially the architecture and Lisbon/Sintra in general. I only used the Lisbon metro and commuter rail when I visited. I need to return to Portugal :-)

@Thom-TRA

2 жыл бұрын

I truly enjoyed every minute I spent in Portugal. It is a beautiful place! We went to Sintra as well, I think the day before I recorded this video. Glad you enjoyed the video :)

@MrMatavelhas

2 жыл бұрын

Try being on Oriente on a rainy day... I think you ll review your opinion of it 😂

Thank you for this great video, like the others. I really love Corail trainset as we have in France. You have not the original Corail seat as in France (i guess they still have them in 1.class), but this are regional train seats (like in ATER or TER 2N). They also have bar coach as we had in France, but here not anymore. And in Portugal they still have orange doors. It was like “corail” (or coral in english) color but Corail mean “COnfort sur RAIL”, comfort on rail in english. I also like the “broken nose” loks that you filmed in Porto Station (as in Netherlands too). It’s like a vintage journey, feeling of the 80s/90s, it’s very nice.

@Thom-TRA

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I didn’t know Portugal had the “nez cassé” locomotives until I saw them in Porto! I will have to try the original Corail seats in France someday. Perhaps on the new Ouigo service? I’m so glad you liked this video! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment :)

@kikibzh4262

2 жыл бұрын

@@Thom-TRA i will not recommend you Ouigo (I'm not a fan of this concept) but TER200 Strasbourg Basle with nicely refurbished Corail, 200 kmh, every 30 minutes with Sybic loks. The best of Corail actually in France.

@mariovieira838

2 жыл бұрын

The 'Nez Cassez' (2600 series) are being reactivated firstly to be used on Inter Regional services on the Minho line, that has just been electrified, and later will see use on Intercity trains on a new (and longer) route thru the interior of Portugal. On these services the locos will be paired with the former Renfe Arco cars that are just waiting European Railway Authority certification to enter service

Portugal was one of my favorite countries I've been to. Great video

@Thom-TRA

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! It’s a beautiful country

The toilet is loud mostly because there is no waste retention and you dump it on the track. The windows are for emergency ventilation. You need a key to unlock them.

@Thom-TRA

2 жыл бұрын

Very similar to other European trains

I enjoyed that video👍👍

Very good!

@Thom-TRA

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Nice video.

@Thom-TRA

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

hello, is there any food and drink can buy on this train? Thank you very much.

@Thom-TRA

8 ай бұрын

I don’t believe there is, sorry