National Railway Museum
Santarém
The National Railway Museum of Portugal, headquartered in Entroncamento, is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the country's railway heritage. Opened in 2007, the museum occupies a historic railway complex spanning 4.5 hectares with 19 railway tracks. It houses an extensive permanent collection including steam, diesel, and electric locomotives, as well as iconic trains like the Portuguese Royal Train and Presidential Train. Exhibits include various types of carriages, railway equipment, tools, and uniforms that illustrate the evolution of Portuguese railways. The museum is set within historic railway buildings such as the Rotunda das Locomotivas, the Armazém de Víveres, and the former Steam Workshops, providing an authentic industrial atmosphere. Several smaller museum branches around Portugal complement the main site, each highlighting regional railway history and cultural specifics. Managed by the Fundação Museu Nacional Ferroviário Armando Ginestal Machado, the museum plays a key role in studying, conserving, and promoting Portugal's railway legacy.
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Astuce: Visit from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 and 16:00 to enjoy the full experience. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended during peak seasons. The museum offers discounts for groups, seniors, and students. Wear comfortable shoes as the site covers a large area with outdoor exhibits. Guided tours provide deeper insight into the collection and history.
Faits intéressants
- •The museum's collection includes locomotives and rolling stock representing over 160 years of Portuguese railway history.
- •Entroncamento, where the museum is located, is a major railway junction and home to significant railway workshops.
- •The museum features the famous Portuguese Royal Train and Presidential Train among its exhibits.
- •The museum complex includes 19 railway tracks and historic buildings such as the Rotunda das Locomotivas and former Steam Workshops.
Histoire
Preservation efforts of Portugal's railway heritage began in the late 1960s, spearheaded by engineer Armando Ginestal Machado.
Initial programs focused on collecting retired railway equipment during the modernization of the Portuguese railways in the 1960s and 1970s.
Multiple small museum units were established across the country, complicating centralized management.
In 1991, the National Railway Museum was officially established in Entroncamento, a key railway hub, to unify and better preserve the collection.
The main museum site opened in 2007, consolidating various collections and housed in historic railway facilities.
Since then, it has expanded with additional branches and exhibitions.
Guide du lieu
Rotunda das Locomotivas19th century
A historic roundhouse used for servicing and housing locomotives, now an exhibition space showcasing various steam engines and their mechanical heritage.
Armazém de Víveres19th century
A former goods warehouse converted into exhibition halls displaying railway artifacts, tools, and uniforms that narrate the operational history of Portuguese railways.
Former Steam Workshops19th century
These workshops were originally used for repairing and maintaining steam locomotives and now host parts of the permanent exhibition, including large machinery and restoration projects.
Contact
Téléphone: 249 130 382