The portuguese 'Presidential train'

[Firelock76]

0186 is one serious looking locomotive, all business and no nonsense.  It would look just fine on the presidential train.

And that Galician "Mike" is one serious looking piece of machinery as well.  Wow!  And how about the crowd at the station?  Man, who doesn't like steam?  Steam engines speak a language we all understand.

Thanks for posting, Mario!

[Mario_v]

But we do have a steamer or 2 (actually two sister engines, 0186 and 0187) that can haul the train. Altough originally freighters, these units did a bunch of passenger services, and maybe in ocasions, when the president travelled by rail, even had the honour of hauing the train. Here's a video showing 0186 in action in the highly scenic Douro Valley route of port wine fame. 

watch?v=gl pOltqgB8

Presently both are out of service (no 'tour train' in winter), but would be very reasonable. As for the spanish 4-8-4, it's fully operational, but getting a permit for it to enter a foreign country (even having it of of Madrid's museum is difficult) would be something very difficult, but ... not impossible. I suppose you're refering to this one :

watch?v=r5lIR5NBxeo

Anyway, there's something spanish that's quite big :

watch?v=f0riVaJkjFc

But a portuguese presidentail train would look quite odd with the neighbour's loco on the point. Maybe that's a nice way of putting a republic and a kingdom together.

[Firelock76]

Overmod

Firelock76

Unfortunately the International Steam site won't let me see what you're suggesting, just the general website.  No doubt what you've got in mind is a real stunner.

It was a pretty shot of the recently-restored RENFE 4-8-4.  Make a bigger tender, with A=tanks, and you'll have the best of all possible worlds...

Too bad I can't see it.  On the other hand RENFE is a Spanish concern.  The Portugese aren't likely to get their hands on  a Spanish locomotive unless the two countries are on speaking terms.  That's been an on-and-off thing since Prince Henry the Navigators time, don't  ya know?

[Overmod]

Firelock76

Unfortunately the International Steam site won't let me see what you're suggesting, just the general website.  No doubt what you've got in mind is a real stunner.

It was a pretty shot of the recently-restored RENFE 4-8-4.  Make a bigger tender, with A=tanks, and you'll have the best of all possible worlds...

[K4sPRR]

Thanks Mario, nice...real nice.  Here in America we had trains like that for the presidents of railroads, not government.  Some railroad presidents with their ego's thought they were more important than that of our governments President.  Today, our President has a real nice airplane and our Vice President has a special seat on Amtrak.

[Firelock76]

Overmod

Firelock76

And they're looking for a proper diesel?  That train just begs for steam!

And strange you should mention that; I know just the thing...

Unfortunately the International Steam site won't let me see what you're suggesting, just the general website.  No doubt what you've got in mind is a real stunner.

[John WR]

Mario

Except to say "thanks" for showing us what Portugal has I can't say anything about the US beyond what Wayne (Firelock) has posted.  

John

[Overmod]

Firelock76

And they're looking for a proper diesel?  That train just begs for steam!

And strange you should mention that; I know just the thing...

[Firelock76]

Mario, that's one beautiful train, it would turn an American president green with envy!  You see, we've never had a permanent presidential train here in the US, they were only put together on an "as needed"  basis.

There was a presidential car, the "Ferdinand Magellan", but it's retired now and a museum piece.

And they're looking for a proper diesel?  That train just begs for steam!

[Mario_v]

Hello all ;

Maybe not all the countries had such special trains, but mine had one between 1910 and 1970, more or less akin to UKs 'Royal train'. After a thourough rebuilding processthat lasted about 3 years,it was presented (and 're-inaugurated') the ´presidential train' on a special trip between Lisbon and Entroncamento (some 66 miles) The consist will be generally on display in the National Railway Museum and will be available for hire (although it will not be cheap).

The cars & baggage car were built in the 1920s and 1930s and, as expected in such exceptional trains for dignitaries, feature luxurious interiors with lots of wood veneer. One almost fears entering inside, because it's really clean and rebuilt in such a refined manner.

The two following movies (maybe 'vignettes' would be a more proper designation) show, in a brief manner, the lenghty recovery process (some cars were in really bad shape, close to 'hulk' status) and passing thru a station near Lisbon.

watch?v=SZSsRQprJa8

watch?v=0IvA sRzGSY

Obs : the next project will be the addition of a 'proper' diesel (the unit pictured was used because it's the only one available an 'heritage' paint scheme (a bigger one is awaiting a brand new 'royal blue' (although we're a Republic). This one is just an 'humble' road switcher of british origins (English Electric), but built locally in 1967