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Fascinating Vintage Photos Show the Trams System of Porto from the 1970s

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The trams came to Porto in 1872. It was a mule tram line established by Carril Americano, from Foz to Matosinhos. The next year a branch line from Massarelos to Cordoaria was opened. More lines were added through the 1870s and 1980s. The mule-drawn trams retired in 1904 and they were replaced with the electric trams.

In 1946, the tram lines were extended to 81 kilometers with a 150 kilometers track length. The 1960s and the 1970s were marked by a continuous dismantling of tram tracks and a preference for cheaper bus transport. The system shrank from 81 kilometers with 192 cars in 1958, to 38 kilometers with 127 cars in 1968, to 21 kilometers with 84 cars in 1978, to just 14 kilometers with 16 cars in 1996. The last remaining line (18) was the start of the current heritage tram system.

#1 Porto STCP 167, a 1934 Brill 28 type 4-wheel semi convertible tram on Rua dos Martires da Liberdade on route 8 to Paranhos, 11 June 1974

Porto STCP 167, a 1934 Brill 28 type 4-wheel semi convertible tram on Rua dos Martires da Liberdade on route 8 to Paranhos, 11 June 1974

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#2 Porto STCP 210, a 1940 CCFP built Brill 28 type 4-wheel semi convertible tram at Amial crossover on route 7 from Batalha to Sao Mamede on 10 June 1974

Porto STCP 210, a 1940 CCFP built Brill 28 type 4-wheel semi convertible tram at Amial crossover on route 7 from Batalha to Sao Mamede on 10 June 1974

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#3 STCP 214, a 1946 Brill 28 type 4-wheel semi convertible tram passing Largo da Lapa on service 7 to Ponte de Pedra on 11 June 1974

STCP 214, a 1946 Brill 28 type 4-wheel semi convertible tram passing Largo da Lapa on service 7 to Ponte de Pedra on 11 June 1974

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#4 STCP 113, a 1908 locally built 4-wheel tram shunting at Boavista Depot on 11 June 1974

STCP 113, a 1908 locally built 4-wheel tram shunting at Boavista Depot on 11 June 1974

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#5 STCP 122, a JG Brill built 4-wheel semi convertible tram probably of 1912, turns at Praca de Liberdade in front of Avenida do Aliados on 12 June 1974

STCP 122, a JG Brill built 4-wheel semi convertible tram probably of 1912, turns at Praca de Liberdade in front of Avenida do Aliados on 12 June 1974

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#6 STCP 129, a 1910 Brill 23 semi convertible platforma salao 4-wheel tram, turning from Rua da Boavista into Travessa Figueiroa to Praca on 12 June 1974

STCP 129, a 1910 Brill 23 semi convertible platforma salao 4-wheel tram, turning from Rua da Boavista into Travessa Figueiroa to Praca on 12 June 1974

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#7 STCP 143, a 1910 Brill-23 semi convertible platforma salao 4-wheel tram on Rua dos Martires da Liberdade on 11 June 1974

STCP 143, a 1910 Brill-23 semi convertible platforma salao 4-wheel tram on Rua dos Martires da Liberdade on 11 June 1974

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#8 STCP 143, a 1910 Brill-23 semi convertible platforma salao 4-wheel tram on Rua dos Martires da Liberdade on 11 June 1974

STCP 143, a 1910 Brill-23 semi convertible platforma salao 4-wheel tram on Rua dos Martires da Liberdade on 11 June 1974

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#9 STCP 180, a Brill 28 type semi convertible 4-wheel tram on service 7 to Ponte de Pedra on Rua das Oliveiras on 12 June 1974

STCP 180, a Brill 28 type semi convertible 4-wheel tram on service 7 to Ponte de Pedra on Rua das Oliveiras on 12 June 1974

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#10 STCP 212 turning at Carmo on route 7 to Ponte da Pedra gives way to 205 on on route 7 from Praca to Amial on 10 June 1974

STCP 212 turning at Carmo on route 7 to Ponte da Pedra gives way to 205 on on route 7 from Praca to Amial on 10 June 1974

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#11 STCP 288, a 1929 Ateliers de Construction de Familleureux Belgian built bogie tram, leaving Rotunda da Boavista on service 16 to Batalha on 11 June 1974

STCP 288, a 1929 Ateliers de Construction de Familleureux Belgian built bogie tram, leaving Rotunda da Boavista on service 16 to Batalha on 11 June 1974

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#12 Porto STCP 154, a Brill type 4-wheel semi convertible tram on arrival at Praca da Liberdade on service 18 from Foz on 12 June 1976

Porto STCP 154, a Brill type 4-wheel semi convertible tram on arrival at Praca da Liberdade on service 18 from Foz on 12 June 1976

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#13 STCP 118, a 1909 United Electric Car Company of Preston 4-wheel tram on private tour at Praca de Carlos Alberto on 7 March 1976

STCP 118, a 1909 United Electric Car Company of Preston 4-wheel tram on private tour at Praca de Carlos Alberto on 7 March 1976

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#15 STCP 189, a 1929 Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram loading at Praca da Liberdade on 5 March 1976

STCP 189, a 1929 Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram loading at Praca da Liberdade on 5 March 1976

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#17 STCP 200, a 1940 Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram at Batalha terminus about to return to Boavista depot on 5 March 1976

STCP 200, a 1940 Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram at Batalha terminus about to return to Boavista depot on 5 March 1976

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#18 STCP 219, a 1939 Brill 28 type semi convertible 4-wheel tram at Carvalhosa on 5 March 1976

STCP 219, a 1939 Brill 28 type semi convertible 4-wheel tram at Carvalhosa on 5 March 1976

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#19 STCP 284, a 1929 Ateliers de Construction de Familleureux Belgian built bogie tram at Matosinhos on line 1 from Intante on 6 September 1976

STCP 284, a 1929 Ateliers de Construction de Familleureux Belgian built bogie tram at Matosinhos on line 1 from Intante on 6 September 1976

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#20 STCP Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram desending Rua dos Clerigos to Praca on 7 September 1976

STCP Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram desending Rua dos Clerigos to Praca on 7 September 1976

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#21 STCP Fumista type 4-wheel tram on service 17 from Batalha to Foz at Praca Republica on 7 September 1976

STCP Fumista type 4-wheel tram on service 17 from Batalha to Foz at Praca Republica on 7 September 1976

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#22 STCP 122, a 1912 Brill 23 semi convertible 4-wheel tram leaving Carmo on Praca de Carlos Alberto on 27 April 1977

STCP 122, a 1912 Brill 23 semi convertible 4-wheel tram leaving Carmo on Praca de Carlos Alberto on 27 April 1977

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#23 STCP 138 running from Batalha along Rua de Santa Catarina at Bolhao on 27 April 1977

STCP 138 running from Batalha along Rua de Santa Catarina at Bolhao on 27 April 1977

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#24 STCP 193, a 1932 Brill 28 type semi convertible 4-wheel tram on the pedestrianised Rua de Santa Catarina to Amial on 27 April 1977

STCP 193, a 1932 Brill 28 type semi convertible 4-wheel tram on the pedestrianised Rua de Santa Catarina to Amial on 27 April 1977

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#25 STCP 216, a 1946 Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram, turning from Rua Sa da Bandeira into Rua Formosa at Bolhao to Batalha on 27 April 1977

STCP 216, a 1946 Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram, turning from Rua Sa da Bandeira into Rua Formosa at Bolhao to Batalha on 27 April 1977

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#26 STCP 270, a 1928 CCFP semi convertible maximum traction Brill 39E bogie tram at Godinho on line 1 to Matosinhos on 25 April 1977

STCP 270, a 1928 CCFP semi convertible maximum traction Brill 39E bogie tram at Godinho on line 1 to Matosinhos on 25 April 1977

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#27 STCP 315, a 1930 Fumista type semi convertible 4 wheel car at Castelo do Queijo on service 17 from Batalha to Foz on 25 April 1977

STCP 315, a 1930 Fumista type semi convertible 4 wheel car at Castelo do Queijo on service 17 from Batalha to Foz on 25 April 1977

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#28 STCP tram and trolleybus on Rua de Sa da Bandeira at Bolhao on 27 April 1977

STCP tram and trolleybus on Rua de Sa da Bandeira at Bolhao on 27 April 1977

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#29 STCP Zorra 58, a former coal freight tram on works duties on Praca Carlos Alberto passing the Igreja das Carmelitas at Carmo on 27 April 1977

STCP Zorra 58, a former coal freight tram on works duties on Praca Carlos Alberto passing the Igreja das Carmelitas at Carmo on 27 April 1977

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#30 STCP 131 on Rua das Carmalitas operating line 18 to Foz via Palacio on 6 September 1978

STCP 131 on Rua das Carmalitas operating line 18 to Foz via Palacio on 6 September 1978

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#31 STCP 222, a 1939 Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram on Rua do Carmo on line 18 to Foz via Marginal on 6 September 1978

STCP 222, a 1939 Brill 28 type 4-wheel tram on Rua do Carmo on line 18 to Foz via Marginal on 6 September 1978

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#32 STCP 200, a 1940 Brill-28 type semi convertible 4-wheel tram leaving Batalha on 27 April 1977

STCP 200, a 1940 Brill-28 type semi convertible 4-wheel tram leaving Batalha on 27 April 1977

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