Why did Espinho-Vouga become the end of the line? Espinho-Vouga Railway Station serves the city of Espinho. It sits in the district of Aveiro. Let’s explore its story.
Espinho-Vouga is part of the Linha do Vouga. Since 2008, it has been the line’s terminal here. This change occurred after the narrow-gauge section of Espinho Station closed. Espinho-Vouga is 694 meters from that station.
The station is southeast of Espinho’s urban area. It is less than half a kilometer from the city center. You can find it near Rua 33 on the beach. Espinho-Vouga sits within the road network of Rua 37 and Rua 8. It is isolated in its block next to the Progresso Factory.
Espinho-Vouga has two tracks for train traffic. They are labeled I and II. Each track is 136 meters long. Platforms serve both tracks. These platforms are 75 meters in length and 36 cm high. These features are smaller than in previous decades. The rail surface is 722 cm above sea level at PK 0+700.
The passenger building is on the east side of the track. That’s the left side when heading towards Viseu. The building has three granite masonry structures.
Sernada station is a key point on the Linha do Vouga. Here, the line from Aveiro splits. It goes to Viseu on the right and Espinho on the left. Interestingly, from the 1890s to 1992, the line names were opposite to their layout. The Espinho-Viseu route was called Linha do Vouga. The Aveiro-Sernada segment was the Ramal de Aveiro. In 1992, this was corrected. The Espinho-Aveiro route became Linha do Vouga. The Viseu-Sernada segment became Ramal de Viseu. This segment closed in 1990.
In 2022, regional trains served Espinho-Vouga. There were eight daily services in each direction. They ran between Espinho-Vouga and Oliveira de Azeméis.
The section between Espinho and Oliveira de Azeméis opened on December 21, 1908. Espinho-Vouga was an original station on this stretch.
The track between the main station and Espinho-Vouga closed in July 2004. This was part of a project to bury the Linha do Norte in that area.
The Infraestruturas de Portugal presented a project. It allows passengers to transfer between Linha do Vouga and Linha do Norte. In addition, IP plans to invest 120 million to upgrade the railway.
Since 2005, Espinho Station was no longer served by the Linha do Vouga. To catch the train, it was necessary to walk 500 meters to Espinho-Vouga. The IP wants to change this.
A solution involves extending the Linha do Vouga. It will create a surface metro integrated into the area. It will pass over the current station. The tunnel at Espinho Station can support a train on the surface. A new stop may be built near the city’s fairgrounds.
So as you wait for your train here at Espinho-Vouga, consider its past. Consider also its future role in connecting this region. It has been a vital link. It will likely continue as one.