Hey everyone, I thought I’d kick things off by laying out the key details on Portugal’s main north–south corridor so we’re all on the same page. The CP Portugal Northern line (Linha do norte in portugese) stretches for about 336 km between Lisbon‑Santa Apolónia and Porto‑Campanhã, threading through major hubs like Vila Franca de Xira, Santarém, Entroncamento, Pombal, Coimbra, Aveiro, Espinho and Vila Nova de Gaia, the route features 46 stations and carries roughly 720 trains a day—including both freight and passenger services—making it the busiest line in the country. This route is fully double‑tracked (with a 15 km four‑track section between Oriente and Alverca on Lisbon’s approaches) and runs on Iberian gauge (1,668 mm), with continuous 25 kV 50 Hz AC electrification throughout its length. Service patterns revolve around the tilting Alfa Pendular EMUs—Italian‑designed Pendolino sets assembled locally—which hit up to 220 km/h on upgraded stretches, operating roughly hourly between the two capitals, backed up by Intercidades loco‑hauled coaches (upgraded for 200 km/h running) and a mix of regional and suburban EMUs on the intermediate stops. Construction on the line kicked off in September 1853, saw its first section open to Carregado in October 1856 under the Companhia Central e Peninsular, reached Entroncamento by November 1862, and was finally bridged across the Douro via the Maria Pia Bridge (designed by Gustave Eiffel) on 4 November 1877, cementing the Lisbon–Porto link. (map might not look very accurate) Main and Principle stations on the route Lisboa Santa Apolónia The historic southern terminus of the route and a major hub for long-distance services heading north. Lisboa Oriente A central interchange in Lisbon, serving as a key connection point for regional, intercity, and suburban traffic. Entroncamento The most important railway junction in Portugal, where several major routes intersect, making it critical for transfers and operations. Coimbra-B The main station for the city of Coimbra, handling high volumes of passenger traffic and serving as a stop for both regional and express services. Aveiro A major stop in central Portugal with strong passenger flow, connecting the coastal city to both Lisbon and Porto. Porto Campanhã The northern terminus of the route and Porto’s primary station for national and regional rail travel. Heres a list of the stations Lisbon-Santa Apolonia Braco de Prata Lisbon Oriente Moscavide Sacavem Bobadela Santa Iria Povoa Alverca Alhandra Vila Franca de Xira Castenheira do Ribatejo Carregado Vila Nova de Rainha Espadanal da Azambuja Azambuja Virtudes Reguengo-Vale da Pendra-Pontevel Setil Santana-Cartaxo Vale de Santarém Santarém Mato de Miranda Riachos-Torres Novas-Golegã Entroncamento Lamarosa Chão de Maçãs-Fátima Caxarias Pombal Soure Granja do Ulmeiro Alfarelos Coimbra-B Pampilhosa Mealhada Mealhada Mogofores Oliveira do Bairro Aveiro Cacia Estarreja Avanca Ovar Esmoriz Paramos Espinho Porto-Campanhã Rolling Stock CP Class 4000 (Alfa Pendular trains) Interior Driving Cab CP Class 3400 Interior CP Class 2240 Driving Cab Interior CP Class 5600 (For freight/ passenger services) Driving Cab CP Class 592.2 (Seprate add on) Interior AI Layers (Fictional AI Traffic) Kinzigtalbahn Frankfurt - Fulda DB BR 193 Vectron in CP Portugal Livery Flixtrain Coaches in CP Portugal livery Freight Wagons Bahnstrecke Salzburg - Rosenheim DB BR 111 redesigned in CP Portugal livery DB BR 185.2 redesigned in Medway Portugal livery Freight Wagons Linke Rheinstrecke Coaches Redesigned in CP Portugal livery Arosalinie Freight Wagons Mittenwaldbahn N wagens Semmeringbahn Coaches redesigned in CP Portugal livery Freight Wagons Schnellfahrstrecke Koln - Aachen DB BR 187 redesigned in Medway Portugal livery Freight Wagons Cathcart Circle EWS Class 66 redesigned in Medway Portugal livery Freight Wagons Freight & Passenger Wagons Freight Wagons Used on the Route Sgnss Container Wagons These flatbed wagons are used for transporting intermodal containers between ports and inland terminals. On Linha do Norte, they’re frequently seen hauled by CP Class 5600s on international and domestic logistics runs. Eaos Open Freight Wagons Versatile, rugged wagons used for bulk materials like scrap metal, wood, or aggregates. Often used on heavy industrial routes heading north through Entroncamento. Shimmns Covered Coil Wagons These cylindrical-covered wagons transport steel coils and are commonly used for servicing Portugal’s metal industries. They’re regularly seen in long consists on freight corridors toward Porto. Zacns Tanker Wagons ️ Designed for liquid goods such as chemicals and fuel. These tankers offer a challenge for braking due to their weight and are used in high-risk freight operations, adding realism and depth to freight gameplay. Habbiins Sliding-Wall Vans These enclosed wagons are used for sensitive goods that need protection from the elements, such as paper reels or consumer products. Their appearance adds variety to freight trains operating between major logistics hubs. Falns Hopper Wagons ⚒️ Perfect for transporting heavy minerals and bulk products like sand or gravel, especially on construction-related contracts that start or end on the Linha do Norte. Passenger Wagons Used on the Route Corail Coaches (CP Refurbished) These classic French-built coaches, refurbished for CP service, are often seen in locomotive-hauled Intercidades trains. Known for their comfortable interior, air conditioning, and smooth ride, they’re commonly paired with the CP Class 5600 on medium-to-long distance services between Lisbon and Porto. Schindler Coaches A staple of Portuguese railway heritage, these older coaches offer a more vintage experience. Occasionally used on secondary services or as reinforcement during busy periods, especially on regional routes branching off from the mainline. UIC-X Coaches (CP Modernized) Standard European-style coaches modernized with CP livery and fittings. Typically deployed for regional or InterRegional services, they can be mixed in formations with Corail coaches for variety. Operated either in push-pull or conventional formations with the Class 5600. Talgo Trainsets (Occasional) Though not common on the Linha do Norte, Talgo rakes have been used occasionally for international services or special charters, offering a unique low-slung appearance and lightweight design that would add a distinctive look to TSW5 if included. Scenario & Timetables Alfa Pendular Atlantic Express Approximate Duration: 2h 30m⏱️ Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Train Used: Alfa Pendular Description: High-speed express from Lisboa Santa Apolónia to Porto Campanhã. Minimal stops but requires precise handling at 220 km/h. Pendular Storm ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 2h 30m Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Train Used: Alfa Pendular Description: Rain and fog reduce visibility. Manage high-speed travel safely in severe weather with braking and speed control. Alfa Day Express (Timetable) ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 1h 30m – 2h Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ Train Used: Alfa Pendular Description: Daytime high-speed runs with limited stops. Fast but straightforward — great for relaxed express gameplay. CP Class 3400 Ribatejo Rush ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 1h 15m Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Train Used: CP Class 3400 Description: Suburban commuter sprint during the busy morning rush between Lisboa Oriente and Entroncamento. Last Train to Entroncamento ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 1h Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ Train Used: CP Class 3400 Description: Peaceful late-night service. A calm, low-pressure drive with minimal traffic and no surprises. Suburban Circulator (Timetable) ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 45m – 1h Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Train Used: CP Class 3400 Description: Short, frequent commuter runs through Lisbon's urban core. Constant stop-go pacing keeps you alert. CP Class 2240 Coimbra Connector ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 1h 20m Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Train Used: CP Class 2240 Description: Regional service with regular stops and varied terrain. Ideal for those who like a steady, scenic drive. Southbound Semi-Fast ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 1h 15m Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Train Used: CP Class 2240 Description: Semi-fast evening run with lots of signal checks, overtaking, and precision driving. Regional Layers (Timetable) ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 1h – 1h 30m Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ Train Used: CP Class 2240 Description: Variety of services including semi-fasts and full stops. Easy-going pace perfect for a relaxed session. CP Class 5600 (Freight) + passenger Steel Freight North ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 2h 15m Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Train Used: CP Class 5600 Description: Haul a long, heavy steel train north. Manage gradients, slow acceleration, and braking on tight schedules. Yard Rotation ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 40m Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Train Used: CP Class 5600 Description: Shunting operations and freight movements around Entroncamento yard. Tight maneuvering and accuracy needed. Cargo Corridor (Timetable) ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 1h 30m – 2h 15m Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Train Used: CP Class 5600 Description: Long freight runs across the mainline with a mix of gradients, traffic, and heavy consists. couldnt do for the passenger services CP Class 592.2 (Add-On)Diesel Diversion ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 1h 30m Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Train Used: CP Class 592.2 Description: Run this diesel unit during an electrification outage. Unusual operating conditions challenge your control and strategy. Quiet Coastline ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 1h 10m Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ Train Used: CP Class 592.2 Description: Relaxing evening regional ride through quiet towns and countryside. Minimal stops, a scenic drive. Rural Rhythms (Timetable) ⏱️ Approximate Duration: 50m – 1h 15m Difficulty: ⭐☆☆☆☆ Train Used: CP Class 592.2 Description: Light rural operations for those who enjoy a peaceful, beginner-friendly route with low traffic. Mastery Rewards ️ Tier 1 Rewards Unlockable early with basic completion tasks (e.g., complete 2 scenarios, drive 50 km) CP Portugal Decals Unlock the CP portugal decals which include, CP Portugal logo, CP Portugal Text font, some dust and dirt decals and safety signs that can be used in livery designer Tier 2 Rewards Unlockable with mid-tier challenges (e.g., complete 5 services, achieve gold on 3 scenarios, drive 150 km) Retired CP Portugal Class 1400 (withdrawn units) A stunning display of the withdrawn class 1400 Portugal’s CP Portugal Northern line isn’t just a spine of steel linking Lisbon and Porto—it’s a living, breathing railway ecosystem where every service type you could want converges in one electrified, Iberian‑gauge corridor. Picture yourself in the driver’s seat of an Alfa Pendular tilting Pendolino, threading between 220 km/h express slots and slower Intercidades formations, then switching to a CP Class 3400 EMU for a rush‑hour sprint through Santarém’s commuter belt, before later wrestling a heavy CP Class 5600 freight up the gradients toward Aveiro. Add the occasional twist of a diesel CP Class 592.2 coming into play when overhead lines are down, and you’ve got a route that rewards mastery of multiple traction types and power‑management techniques—exactly the sort of layered challenge that keeps people coming back. Licensing wouldn’t be an obstacle: the Pendolino technology already exists in Dovetail’s portfolio, CP’s 3400 and 2240 suburban units have parallels in other European networks, and the 5600 locomotive joins a family of freight engines familiar to the community. Setting the core DLC in the modern 2020s gives instant relevance—complete with high‑speed line upgrades, digital signalling pockets, and busy interchanges at Oriente and Entroncamento—while future expansions could unlock off‑line branches, heritage steam specials on early steam‑era alignments, or cross‑border DMU services into Spain once the 592.2 (seprate add on in the game) is established. What makes a route compelling isn’t just picture‑perfect scenery; it’s meaningful gameplay. On CP Portugal northern line every timetable slot is a distinct puzzle: keep your Pendolino on time despite intervening regional blocks, master the short‑dwell patterns of the 2240 servicing Coimbra, and juggle complex yard moves in Entroncamento with the 5600. Seasonal timetable variations—tourist‑packed summer runs, winter maintenance blocks, late‑night freight windows—mean that “knowing your route” never gets old. The four‑track approaches into Lisbon and the mixed single/double‑track sections south of Porto offer perfect stages for overtakes, junction priority battles, and signalling‑driven drama. Because this line handles roughly 720 trains a day, it’s naturally suited to rich service density without stretching content budgets. Starting with the core Lisbon–Porto high‑speed and commuter services anchors the route in marquee operations; adding freight and diesel‑diversion scenarios in subsequent updates builds depth without requiring a half‑dozen brand‑new models all at once, the route only just features 4 locos. That modular rollout fits Dovetail’s usual development cycles and gives players new toys to master at a comfortable pace. In short, CP Portugal northern line delivers a complete package—flagship high‑speed, bustling commuter runs, intricate freight logistics, and emergency‑diversion DMU work (class 592.2)—packed into a single, 336 km corridor. It’s long enough to feel epic but subdivided into bite‑sized chunks for endless challenge modes. That combination of variety, operational density, and manageable scope is exactly what makes a route feel alive in Train Sim World 5, and why Dovetail should bring Portugal’s principal artery into the fold.
Awesome suggestion - I am Portuguese myself and would love this. But the sheer size of it: 336km, 46 stations. It would be the longest route in TSW. It would take years to build, so I would suggest only the stretch Lisbon - Coimbra, as they are both major cities in Portugal, and many services stop there, so it wouldn't be a random stop. Still be around 100km~. Also, there has been inflation in the number of trains included, and DTG would not include more than 2 trains in a route. So, it probably would be the AP, the 5600 for IC and freight and the 2240 for regional.
While a good shout, this would be a huge gamble for DTG as it would involve considerable research and building everything pretty much from scratch. As regards the wider popularity of CP with the customer base, many of us associate rail travel in Portugal with the older trains such as the Alco’s or the English Electric locos that were based on the BR Class 50 design.
That association is stop very smart because the Portuguese rail system is better and faster than the UK's, because it's state owned. Also, only IC trains and some regional in the interior are old, our commuter, high-speed and modern regional are considerably modern.
