Pretty sure this photo is from the mid 1970s after the first wave of tram line closures

Quote (João Melo, 08.12.2025):
> Pretty sure this photo is from the mid 1970s

The Caixotes, which were introduces in mid 1950s, were not withdrawn till 1980s/1990s (at least to such scale). They were removed from this place in mid 1990s to make place for current infrastructure (Railway line, A33, something else).

Quote (Karalis Arturs, 09.12.2025):
> The Caixotes, which were introduces in mid/late 1950s, were not withdrawn till 1990s (at least to such scale). Especially the trailer cars ran till 1980s/1990s.

Yes they were, much of these are trailers and their motorcar, mainly used in the Benfica, Carnide and Lumiar line stored in Amoreiras depot. It's true some remained in operation but in fewer numbers.

Как же ныне ходящие вагоны вообще сохранились? How have the currently operating trams been preserved at all?

Quote (Дмитрий Золотарёв, 08.12.2025):
> Как же ныне ходящие вагоны вообще сохранились? How have the currently operating trams been preserved at all?

From management view - the tram network has shrunk from 76km with 27 lines in late 1950s to 31km with 6 lines. Therefore the amount of needed trams has shrunk as well with the closure of two depots and more than half of trams scrapped or sold.

From technical perspective - Basically - Rebuilt bodies + new electronics. That’s the “Remodelado” tram that you see today.

Only the boogie and seats are from the original trams from 1900s. The design is from 1930s.

After the Caixotes (the boxy ones in this photo) they went back to the design from 1930s - Carris Standard, which has become the iconic design.

Цитата (Karalis Arturs, 09.12.2025):
> Quote (Дмитрий Золотарёв, 08.12.2025):
> > Как же ныне ходящие вагоны вообще сохранились? How have the currently operating trams been preserved at all?
>
> From management view - the tram network has shrunk from 76km with 27 lines in late 1950s to 31km with 6 lines. Therefore the amount of needed trams has shrunk as well with the closure of two depots and more than half of trams scrapped or sold.
>
> From technical perspective - Basically - Rebuilt bodies + new electronics. That’s the “Remodelado” tram that you see today.
>
> Only the boogie and seats are from the original trams from 1900s. The design is from 1930s.
>
> After the Caixotes (the boxy ones in this photo) they went back to the design from 1930s - Carris Standard, which has become the iconic design.

Thank you for the wonderful answer, Artūrs.

How unusual it is that trams from the early 20th century still run on the streets of Lisbon. I want to go to Portugal again.

Found confirmation the photo is from the 1970's. https://arquivos.rtp.pt/conteudos/os-eletricos-em-lisboa/
After minute 15 we can see activities in the scrapyard and confirmation they were being bought and removed.

Цитата (Karalis Arturs, 09.12.2025):
> Quote (Дмитрий Золотарёв, 08.12.2025):
> > Как же ныне ходящие вагоны вообще сохранились? How have the currently operating trams been preserved at all?
>
> From management view - the tram network has shrunk from 76km with 27 lines in late 1950s to 31km with 6 lines. Therefore the amount of needed trams has shrunk as well with the closure of two depots and more than half of trams scrapped or sold.
>
> From technical perspective - Basically - Rebuilt bodies + new electronics. That’s the “Remodelado” tram that you see today.
>
> Only the boogie and seats are from the original trams from 1900s. The design is from 1930s.
>
> After the Caixotes (the boxy ones in this photo) they went back to the design from 1930s - Carris Standard, which has become the iconic design.

Do you know what criteria were used to preserve the current tram lines? What happened in the 1990s that led to the modernization of the tram network? Maybe there are some articles that I could read?

Quote (João Melo, 08.12.2025):
> Found confirmation the photo is from the 1970's

Thank you. Date corrected. My Portuguese is not yet that good and I may have misunderstood the owner of the photo collection - he probably meant to say that the trams were there till the 1990s.

Quote (Дмитрий Золотарёв, 09.12.2025):
> Do you know what criteria were used to preserve the current tram lines? What happened in the 1990s that led to the modernization of the tram network?

There are some books about Lisbon's trams (for example by Joachim Kaddatz or Marina Tavares Dias), which I have been told are very good and detailed, but haven't had the chance to get them myself.

But the main reason for the actual decline was the expansion of the metro system combined with city government focus on buses. But his focus seems to change. In early 2000s we got back 24E route (although not the full promised route) and a new line to the east was announced (16E).

As for which routes to keep - The majority of the currently existing lines go through narrow and hilly streets, buses wouldn't be able to handle these that easy.15E is an exception. It goes on rather flat ground along the river and is the only one where the modern trams operate but is has much higher demand as it connects Lisbon to Belem and every tourists knows that you need to take 15E to get there.

Цитата (Karalis Arturs, 09.12.2025):
> Quote (Дмитрий Золотарёв, 09.12.2025):
> > Do you know what criteria were used to preserve the current tram lines? What happened in the 1990s that led to the modernization of the tram network?
>
> There are some books about Lisbon's trams (for example by Joachim Kaddatz or Marina Tavares Dias), which I have been told are very good and detailed, but haven't had the chance to get them myself.
>
> But the main reason for the actual decline was the expansion of the metro system combined with city government focus on buses. But his focus seems to change. In early 2000s we got back 24E route (although not the full promised route) and a new line to the east was announced (16E).
>
> As for which routes to keep - The majority of the currently existing lines go through narrow and hilly streets, buses wouldn't be able to handle these that easy.15E is an exception. It goes on rather flat ground along the river and is the only one where the modern trams operate but is has much higher demand as it connects Lisbon to Belem and every tourists knows that you need to take 15E to get there.

Obrigado