Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Braga > Vila Nova de Famalicão > Lousado > Carvalhinho
The Lousado Railway Museum is located in the town of Lousado, within the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão. It is situated in the area known as Carvalhinho, next to the local train station. Its position marks the point where the Minho Line and the old Guimarães Line once crossed, on a shared track, highlighting the historical relevance of this location in the railway context.
This museum space occupies the facilities that were, in the past, the workshops of the Companhia dos Caminhos-de-Ferro de Guimarães (Guimarães Railway Company), a company that operated between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The choice of this location was not random, preserving the memory and original function of rolling stock maintenance and repair that took place here. It is a built testament to the importance of the railway for the region's development.
The building housing the museum is, in itself, an important piece of the collection, considered a remarkable example of industrial archaeology in Portugal. Its original constructive characteristics have been maintained, such as the workshop structure, the Marseilles tile roof, the skylights that allow natural light in, and the walls, some of which are made of schist. Visiting the museum is also observing the architecture of a past industrial complex.
Inside, you can find a vast collection of railway material that tells part of the history of trains in Portugal. The highlight goes to various locomotives, many of them steam and narrow-gauge, built between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries. Among them, the narrow-gauge steam locomotive considered the oldest existing in the country stands out, manufactured in England in 1874. The collection includes material from various companies and different international origins, offering a diverse overview of rail transport.
Besides the large machines, the museum allows observation of other elements that were part of the railway's daily life. It is possible to see an adapted carriage that served as a medical post, recalling figures linked to the history of the railway, such as Egas Moniz. The old work areas, such as the forge, carpentry, and machine-tool zone, are preserved, showing the processes of manufacturing and repairing parts. Smaller objects, such as station furniture, signaling equipment, or ticketing, complement the visit and illustrate the functioning of stations and railway operations.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.3571265,-8.5309068
Coordinates DMS: 41°21'25.7"N 08°31'51.3"W
Weather Lousado
On-duty Pharmacy Lousado
