Museu Nacional Ferroviário

About the museum

The Museu Nacional Ferroviário tells the story of more than 160 years of railways in Portugal. It opened on 18 May 2015 in the railway complex of Entroncamento, a town born from the crossing of lines, and is run by the Fundação Museu Nacional Ferroviário.

The collection brings together about 36,000 objects, from the first steam locomotives to evidence of the railway transport of the future: locomotives, carriages, saloon cars, wagons, station equipment, timetables and tickets. Among the best-known pieces are the Royal Train, acquired by the Companhia dos Caminhos de Ferro do Sul for the royal family's journeys between Barreiro and Vila Viçosa, and the Presidential Train, which carried heads of state and their entourages between 1910 and 1970.

The museum is part of the National Network of Railway Museums, with sites also in Arco de Baúlhe, Bragança, Chaves, Lousado and Macinhata do Vouga. The visit includes themes such as the old stations, the apprentice schools, the construction and maintenance of the track, medicine, hospitality and model railways, and can include a ride on the miniature train or a session on the railway driving simulator.

Highlights

• Royal Train and Presidential Train
• About 36,000 objects from Portuguese railway history
• Oficinas do Vapor (Steam Workshops) and the D. Luís locomotive
• Railway driving simulator and miniature train circuit
• Audio guides in six languages

Permanent exhibitions

• Comboio Real – Train acquired by the Companhia dos Caminhos de Ferro do Sul for the royal family's journeys between Barreiro and Vila Viçosa; it served Queen D. Maria Pia, D. Luís I and Prince D. Carlos.
• Comboio Presidencial – A set of six vehicles that carried heads of state and their entourages between 1910 and 1970.
• Oficinas do Vapor – Halls with historic locomotives and carriages, including the D. Luís locomotive.

Founded

2015

Operated by

Fundação Museu Nacional Ferroviário

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 18 May (International Museum Day) and 24 November (municipal holiday of Entroncamento).

Free admission also, with proof, for researchers and museum professionals, journalists on duty, registered tourism professionals, members of the Rik & Rok Club, museum members and former combatants. 20% discount for members of the ACP, the Gerador Cultural Association, ANAP and the circuits of the Ciência Viva Centres. There is a combined train and museum ticket with CP.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

The route has ramps and lifts for wheelchairs and pushchairs; there are, however, obstacles such as rails set into the floor, changes of level and protruding objects, and there is a route dedicated to visitors with physical limitations. Wheelchairs can be requested at reception. There is a free parking space for people with reduced mobility next to the entrance. The presentation film has Portuguese Sign Language interpretation. The museum has a visit guide in plain language and audio guides with audio description in Portuguese; guide dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Activities for families and children, a miniature train and a railway driving simulator. Birthday parties are for children aged 3 to 10 (€7.50 per participant, for 10 to 30 participants; the birthday child does not pay). There are toilets with baby-changing facilities and an area for breastfeeding and feeding babies.

Getting there & parking

By car, take the A1 and then the A23, exit Entroncamento Norte. CP offers benefits to those who combine the train journey with a visit to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Cloakroom at reception and 20 lockers; museum shop and online shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Rooms and outdoor spaces, plus historic carriages such as the Royal Train, the Presidential Train and the Sud-Express, for birthday parties, weddings, christenings, meetings, seminars and company dinners.

Plan your visit