Railways in
Belgium
The first public railway in Belgium, between Brussels and Mechelen, was opened on
5th May, 1835. Like many early Belgian railways, it was owned and operated by the
State. A few lines were developed by private companies, but the last of these had
been absorbed into the State system by 1948.
Besides the main line railways, there were also a number of minor railways and
tramways (the "Vicinal"). De Kusttram, the coastal tramway through Ostend, is the
principal survivor of this network.
Under EU regulations, train operation and infrastructure costs must be
separately accountable. Belgium, like many other European countries, has
chosen to implement this by spinning off a separate infrastructure company.
SNCB/NMBS remains the major operator of domestic passenger trains, and
owns a share of the international passenger operators Eurostar, Fyra and
Thalys. Through its subsidiaries it also handles a great deal of freight
traffic, competition from other companies is gradually increasing.
A separate page deals with station names
in Belgium.
National Railway Network
Metro, trams and interurban
- MIVB/STIB Brussels metro and
trams
- De Kusttram coastal tramway
from Knokke to Adinkerke via Ostend (Site in Dutch)
- De Lijn trams in Antwerp and Gent
(Site in Dutch)
- TEC trams in Charleroi
(Site in French)
- Hasselt proposed regional tram system, extending as far
as Maastricht in the Netherlands (Site in Dutch)
- Liège proposed
trams (Site in French)
Tourist and enthusiast railways
- Chemin de Fer
des 3 Vallées standard gauge tourist line from Mariembourg to Treignes
(about 12km). A diesel railcar operates on most days during the summer
months, with steam trains on busier days
- Chemin de Fer du
Bocq standard gauge tourist line between Ciney and Purnode
(about 14km), with several intermediate stations. Possible future
extension to Yvoir, a further 6km. Steam or diesel hauled. Operates
Sundays and public holidays from late June to October
(Site in French and Dutch)
- Le Rail-Rebecq-Rognon 600mm gauge tourist line from
Rebecq to Rognon, about 3km. Steam or diesel hauled. Operates weekends
and holidays from late June to september (Site in French)
- Stoomcentrum
Maldegem museum and tourist railways. Standard gauge line between
Maldegem and Eeklo (about 10km). 600mm gauge line from Maldegem to Donk
(about 4km, on the trackbed of the former line to Brugge). Both lines
operate Sundays and some weekdays May to September, also weekends late
November and early December. Steam or diesel hauled.
- Stoomtrein
Dendermonde-Puurs standard gauge tourist line between Baasrode (near
Dendermonde) and Puurs (about 10km), with 2 intermediate station. Usually
steam hauled. Operates Sundays from July to September (Site in
Dutch)
- ASVi two tourist
lines from the Tram Museum at Thuin, a 5km electric tramway to Lobbes
and a 3.5km metre gauge line to Biesme-sous-Thuin, partly on roadside in
the style of the former SNCV/NMBS, operated by diesel railcars.
Operates Sundays, holidays and some other days April to October.
- Tramway Touristique
de l'Aisne metre gauge tourist line from Erezée to Dochamps, about
10km on a stretch of the former SNCV/NMBS. Diesel railcars (Site
in French and Dutch)
- Han-sur-Lesse
a metre gauge line with diesel railcars takes visitors from the town to
the entrance of the famous Han Caves, a distance about 4km, returning via
the caves on foot.
- The Brussels
Tram Museum rides in historic trams over the Brussels network.
Operates Sundays from April to early October, and by private charter.
Funicular
- Spa has a modern funicular serving the Thermal
Centre. Like many funiculars, it has two cars, but in this case
one car is for the use of the general public, while the other is
reserved for clients of the Centre (Site in French and Dutch,
contains little information relating to funicular)
