Museu Nacional Ferroviário – Núcleo de Lousado
Unit of the Museu Nacional Ferroviário in the former workshops of the Guimarães line, with narrow-gauge rolling stock and free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Lousado unit is one of the sites of the Museu Nacional Ferroviário, whose headquarters are in Entroncamento and which depends on the Fundação Museu Nacional Ferroviário Armando Ginestal Machado. It is installed next to Lousado station, at the junction of the Linha do Minho with the Linha de Guimarães, in the former workshop complex of the Companhia de Caminhos de Ferro de Guimarães.
In 2008 the Foundation and the Municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão signed a shared-management protocol, under which the municipal council took over running the unit and opening it to the public. Since 2012 it has been part of the Rede de Museus de Vila Nova de Famalicão and, since 2017, of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH).
The permanent exhibition highlights the narrow-gauge rolling stock of eight companies that operated in Portugal, with locomotives, railcars and carriages, and a collection of workshop, signalling, ticketing and passenger-service equipment, mostly from CP. The workshop area is preserved in working condition. Among the best-known pieces are the ME7 railcar, built in 1948 at the Oficinas Gerais de Santa Apolónia, the luxury saloon used on official journeys, and the Norte 104 steam locomotive.
Highlights
- Narrow-gauge rolling stock of eight Portuguese companies
- ME7 railcar, built in 1948
- Norte 104 steam locomotive
- Luxury saloon used on official journeys
- Railway workshops preserved in working condition
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Exposição permanente do Núcleo de Lousado – Narrow-gauge rolling stock of eight companies, railway equipment and preserved workshops, in a route from the first steam locomotives to the present day.
- Operated by
- Município de Vila Nova de Famalicão (gestão partilhada com a Fundação Museu Nacional Ferroviário)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free and open admission.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is housed in a railway complex, which prevents visitors with special needs from accessing all spaces; the team provides support within those limits.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Estação de Lousado
The museum is next to Lousado railway station, at the junction of the Linha do Minho with the Linha de Guimarães.
Amenities & dining
- Coat check
Bags and large items must be left at reception.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided visits for groups must be booked, preferably by email, and a responsible person from the group must accompany them. |
