{"id":2490,"date":"2024-04-02T14:13:46","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T14:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ernstkers.nl\/blog\/?p=2490"},"modified":"2024-04-06T21:12:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-06T21:12:05","slug":"the-first-electricos-of-porto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ernstkers.nl\/blog\/the-first-electricos-of-porto\/","title":{"rendered":"The first el\u00e9ctricos of Porto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Like any other major tram system, Porto put over time a number of different types of trams in service. This page is about the first generation of electric trams in Porto, the types entering service between 1895 and 1903.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Two Transformado type trams on Pra\u00e7a Dom Pedro (now Pra\u00e7a da Liberdade) around 1903. The left tram, no.36, is of the 8-window type and likely originates from a former CCA mule tram. The right tram is of the 7-window type. It’s number isn’t visible, but it has one of the three BSI trucks acquired in 1898. It might be one of the trams new built by the workshops in 1898\/9 and perhaps is of the series 10-12 or 15-17. (Detail of a postcard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Transformado types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first electric tramcars of Porto were converted from existing mule cars \/ steam tram trailers of the 7-window type. In the first years electric equipments and trucks for these transformations were acquired from several suppliers. Apparently the CCFP wanted to compare and choose the best for later acquisitions. During the first years the CCFP used in the annual reports the indication “Transformado” for these trams to distinguish them from newly built trams. After about 1904 the CCFP didn’t use “Transformado” anymore as indication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Transformado 7-window type CCFP 3 in front of the Carmo and Carmelitas churches. This was one of the first three el\u00e9ctricos of 1895. Photo about 1903 by Aur\u00e9lio da Paz dos Reis, collection CPF.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On 31 December 1902 there were 24 Transformados having the numbers 1-14, 18-19, 28-32 and 35-37. As there existed different types of mule cars \/ steam tram trailers, also Transformados sub types existed. The most common was the one with seven square windows at each side. A number of others had eight, smaller square windows with above semi-circular decorated ground glass windows above them. These were likely former CCA mule trams. For all these Transformados seating arrangement was on longitudinal benches and the capacity was 18 on benches of 4.25 m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Transformado 8-window type at Carreiros (now Avenida de Montevideu) about 1903. Photo Aur\u00e9lio da Paz dos Reis, collection CPF.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One unique car (no.67) was made in 1904 out of two small type mule cars. This last car had a capacity of 22 on two benches of 5.35 m. This car had disappeared from the fleet by 1917. No photos of this tramcar are known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7-window Transformado type CCFP no.115 at the Gaia end of the upper deck of the Ponte Lu\u00eds I. On the bridge the tram had to use two trolley poles. About 1920. (AML)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1898\/9 the workshops of the CCFP constructed three new cars, likely numbers 15-17 but perhaps first 10-12, which without doubt were also fitted with imported trucks and electric equipment. The bodies were copies of the 7-window Transformado type. The local firm A Constructora delivered four similar new cars in 1900, which got the numbers 20-23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Constructora built 7-window Transformado type CCFP no.23 at Infante about 1902. This tram had Siemens & Halske electric equipment. (Detail of a postcard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

German cars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 1898 two complete cars were ordered from two different suppliers in Germany. Without doubt the CCFP wanted to compare both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siemens & Halske delivered a tram with four large windows and seating for only 16 on two benches of 4.06 m. The car was also unique in having two front lights. The CCFP gave it the number 14, but soon renumbered it to 26. It had disappeared from the fleet by 1919.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is a Siemens & Halske works photo of the tram delivered in 1898. In Porto it gor a trolley-pole and the number 14, later changed to 26.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Schuckert & co. delivered a \u201c5-window\u201d type of car of clearly German origin as known from constructors like Herbrand and Falkenried. This car had seating for 18 on longitudinal benches of 4.30 m. This car first had the number 13, but then became 27. It had disappeared from the fleet by 1916.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is the only known photo of CCFP 27, the tramcar delivered by Schuckert in 1898. The scene is at Carmo and dates about 1902. Detail of a postcard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1903, five years after acquiring these cars by the CCFP, Siemens & Halske and Schuckert & co. merged into Siemens-Schuckert and were no competitors anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A busy scene on Pra\u00e7a Dom Pedro with Siemens & Halske tram CCFP 26, easily recognizable because of its two headlights. At the left one of the six 5-window trams built by A Constructore. About 1905, detail of a postcard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5-window Constructora cars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The local firm A Constructora delivered six cars in the period 1901-1903, in 1901 the 24-25 with Semens & Halske motors, in 1902 the 33-34 with Schuckert motors and in 1903 the 38-39 with Walker motors. The bodies were almost copies of the 5-window Schuckert car no.13. The cars seated 18 on two benches of 4.31 m and had larger platforms than the transformados and the Schuckert car. Based on photos it’s assumed that CE no.24 later swopped numbers with 8-window transformado no.35.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Constructora built tram CCFP no.24 at Carreiros (now Avenida de Montevideu) Photo made about 1902 by Aur\u00e9lio da Paz dos Reis, collection CPF.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Constructora built tram CCFP no.34 at Bonfim, likely 1902. In the background 8-window Transformado no.32. Photo made by Aur\u00e9lio da Paz dos Reis, collection CPF.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CE no.34 had in November 1902 a runaway accident in Rua Sto.Ant\u00f3nio and disappeared from the fleet together with no.33. Likely both returned into service in 1905 with new numbers (55-56) and electric equipment. Later the 5-window arrangement of the cars was changed to six windows without changing the size of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CCFP 34 on Pra\u00e7a da Batalha. Detail of a postcard used in October 1903.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Carros Antigos (STCP 101-104)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No distinction was made in later years by the CCFP between the several types of pre-1904 cars. As they were the smallest and oldest cars, they were mainly used on less important services and the first to be phased out. Of the 39 pre-1904 cars available in 1909, about 19 were remaining by 1925. The 1928 Boavista fire losses for these trams are estimated to be seven cars, likely two being of the 5-window Constructora type. In the period 1934-1940 there were still 12. The STCP took over 11 but kept only four of these cars as electric tram on the fleet and renumbered them 101-104. The other seven cars, or at least some of them, extended their life as trailers. One, 7-window trailer no.22, is reconverted to an electric museum-tram with the same number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Museumtram no.22 on 15 May 2022 at Arr\u00e1bida.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No.101 was a transformado type with 7 windows, 102-103 were 5-window Constructora cars but with the window arrangement changed into 6 and 104 was an 8-window transformado. This last car had still with open platforms. All four were scrapped in 1959.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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STCP 101 on Pra\u00e7a da Liberdade about 1948.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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STCP 102 about 1947 at Boavista (MCE)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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STCP 104 about 1947 at Boavista (MCE)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A replica of 104, built in 1997, is now part of the museum collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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STCP 104 is a replica of a mule tramcar converted into an electric tram about 1900. The photo was made on 30 April 2004 at A Cantareira.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n