There has been a reprive for the Linha Oeste. After contacting CP about this closure and pressure from Caldas da Raihna council, CP are reviewing the decision to close the line. No final conclusion yet (25th January 2012).

In 1887, the Linha Oeste was opened from Figueira da Foz to Cacém, north west of Lisboa. At the end of 2011 it was announced that the section between Figueira da Foz and Caldas da Rainha was to be closed. In true Dr. Beeching style, the government of Pedro Passos Coelho has declared that CP must do its bit to save money and many lines have become casualties of “a crise”, but this did not happen and at the and of January CP have said to Hey Portugal "the line is still open at this time".

It’s not the only line that was due to be shut and although it was doubtful, it seems that the growing number of people who objected did have some influence on the decision.

There is still no final decision so it might yet close, so it is worth taking what could be your final journey on one of the little diesel rail cars that run up and down the 100km of single track. Yes, it’s a little bit of Central Portugal that could disappear and so if you like train journeys, you’ll have an interesting day out - before the end!

The single rail cars have all been renovated and the journey is comfortable. Don’t be put off by the extreme graffiti on the outside – inside the décor is warm and inviting. And there’s a loo! An early morning commuter train from Coimbra to Figueira da Foz will set you up at the start point. Time for a meia de leite in one of the many nearby cafes before you leave.

To begin with, the train back-tracks to Bifurcação de Lares, where the Linha Oeste really starts, dropping south across the Mondeo flood plain and into the Louriçal countryside. The line is electrified here as the track is used for freight trains carrying raw materials to the factories at the coast. After Louriçal, no electrics, just 30km of woodlands and quiet little stations to stop at.

At Leiria, where the station is well-hidden and well-removed from the main town, a delightful booking hall is covered in great azulejos. Yes, it is a pity that this form of transport has been long forgotten as the town completes its transformation to Motorway City. The coach station in town is always busy, the railway station is not.

After Leiria, the line heads towards the coast, past Marinha Grande’s legacy of glass and chandelier factories and on towards Nazaré. It never quite gets there, as yet another town station is a long walk from the centre. Actually, the line never really gets to the coast either - the nearest point is at São Martinho do Porto – its attraction is for us to see the interior of the Litoral, the National Forest, the houses and villages. This is not mainstream tourism.

The train ‘zooms’ into Caldas at the end of this part of the journey. You can connect here for Cacém (88km on) where there are trains into Lisboa or Sintra. But explore the town and then get the late afternoon, faster train directly back to Coimbra. The Comboios de Portugal website (www.cp.pt) has a full timetable and tickets can be bought at Coimbra, Figueira and Caldas da Rainha. It’s not an expensive trip.

It might not be long before the axe does fall on this line. The track will rust, the weeds will take over; the stations will be locked up and deteriorate as so many old historic buildings have done. So, go on – have a day out and……..Enjoy!

Written By Paul Sellen (edited by Wendy Manning)

To find out more about Train Travel in Portugal click here.

Hey Portugal have been notified that the line is still open and we will continue to monitor it.