Railways in

Belgium

The multi-level train hall at Antwerp station, with the historic station building in the background.

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 operator Eurostar.

A separate page deals with station names in Belgium.

National Railway Network

• SNCB/NMBS National passenger operator
• Infrabel the Belgian track authority
• Arriva Nederland operator of cross-border services from Liège to Maastricht in the Netherlands and Aachen in Germany
• DB operator of international high speed passenger services to Germany
• European Sleeper operator of international sleeping services to Germany and Netherlands
• Eurostar operator of international high speed passenger services to France, Germany, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom
• NS International operator of international high speed passenger services to the Netherlands
• Crossrail Benelux Private freight operator
• ERS Railways Private freight operator
• Lineas Private freight operator
• Railtraxx Independent freight operator
• Belgium Rail Feeding internal transfer and train assembly in the Port of Antwerp. A subsidiary of the Dutch company Rotterdam Rail Feeding, itself a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming

Metro and trams

• MIVB/STIB Brussels metro and trams
• De Kusttram coastal tramway from Knokke to Adinkerke via Ostend
• De Lijn trams in Antwerp and Gent, also proposed Brabantnet regional tram system around Brussels, connecting with the city network
• TEC trams in Charleroi
• 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 Evrehailles (about 16.5km), with several intermediate stations. Possible future extension to Yvoir, a further 3.5km. Steam or diesel hauled. Operates weekends and public holidays from late June to October, and on a few other days during the year
• 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 Lamormenil, 11.2km on a stretch of the former SNCV/NMBS. Diesel railcars
• Han-sur-Lesse a metre gauge line with railcars taking visitors from the town to the entrance of the famous Han Caves, a distance about 4km, returning via the caves on foot. The diesel railcars are being converted to battery electric (Details of railway difficult to locate on website)
• The Brussels Tram Museum rides in historic trams over the Brussels network. Operates Sundays from April to early October, and by private charter.
• Le Petit Train à Vapeur de Forest Forest, near Brussels. Miniature railway nearly 2km in length. 127mm (5 inch) and 184mm (7¼ inch) gauge, steam or diesel hauled. Operates every Sunday and many Saturdays from late April to early October (Site in French)
• Draisines de la Molignée pedal powered trolleys on a 7km line between Warnant and Maredsous. Shorter options are avaliable. Whole line operates most days from April to October. 3km section between Falaën and Maredsous operates daily throughout the year.
• Railbike des Hautes Fagnes pedal powered trolleys on a 7km line between Leykaul and Sourbrodt. Operates weekends throughout the year and other days during peak summer season or by prior arrangement (Site in French, Dutch and German)
• VVV Tessenderlo pedal powered trolleys on a 4km line between Tessenderlo and the Albert Canal. Operates weekends throughout the year and other days during July and August (Site in Dutch)

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