Guimarães railway station

The station has car access by the D. João IV Avenue, in the city of Guimarães[2][3]

Old Guimarães station, now used as a clinic, in 1990

In 2012, the Rede Ferroviária Nacional published that by January 6, 2011, the Guimarães railway station appeared with a total of four lanes, which were from 205 to 292 m long, while all platforms were 220 m long and 90 cm tall.[4]

In the middle of the 19th century, the Minho region suffered by the lack of communication with the rest of Portugal, due to its poor railway infrastructure; things only changed after the Portuguese Regeneration thanks to Fontes Pereira de Melo, when many railway stations were created, including from Porto to Braga and Guimarães.

One of the first projects aimed to bring the rails to Guimarães was made by the Minho District Railway Company Limited, that wished to build tracks from Santo Tirso to Guimarães; but the company filled for bankruptcy in January 1879. That year, a new concession was opened for a line to Guimarães.[5]

The Guimarães Railway Company started construction on the Trofa to Vizela line, with the first section being inaugurated on December 31, 1883.[6] The next section, to Guimarães, entered service on April 14, 1884.

On September 16, 1895, the Railway Gazette reported that orders had been given to start construction on an avenue between the Toural square and the Guimarães Station.[7]

Old Guimarães station, 1990

On July 21, 1907, entered in service the portion to Fafe.[8] In 1913, there were diligences from Guimarães station to Caldas das Taipas and Braga.[9]

In 1927, the companies of Guimarães and Póvoa, that managed the Porto-Póvoa-Famalicão line, merged into a single company called Companhia dos Caminhos de Ferro do Norte de Portugal. In March 14 1932, was inaugurated the section between Guimarães, Senhora da Hora and Trofa, with part of the ceremony taking part in the Guimarães Station, that was decked out for that event.[10] By around 7PM,the inaugural train arrived at Guimarães station, where a reception was held for president of the Portuguese republic, Óscar Carmona.[10] In 1937, a special train was held to Guimarães, to transport the railway sapper veterans. The ceremony was held in the square in front of the station.[11]

Train in the Old Guimarães station, 1996

In 1947, the North railway company was given to the Company of Portuguese Railway, that had interests on the old railways of that company, including the Guimarães line.[12][13]

Connections to Fafe were closed in 1986.

In the 1990s, the Cabinet of the Nó Ferroviário of Porto started a requalification program of the rails located around the city of Porto, that were, at that time, outdated and didn’t keep up with demand, including the Guimarães line. This program had the objective of improving de working conditions, by improving infrastructure and getting new trains. The Guimarães line,was improved by improving the electrification and altering the track gauge, remodeling many stations, and installing electronic signals, the line resumed operations in 2004.[14]

In August 2007, a passenger was electrocuted, as well as two fireman that tried to rescue him; they were transported to the Senhora da Oliveira Hospital where they all made a full recovery.[15]

Station of Guimarães, 1996