Belgium - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

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Introduction

This list is based on the timetable period from 13 December 2009 to 11 December 2010, unless otherwise shown. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information.

Obscure services

Bruxelles/Brussel — Antwerpen via line 27

[25] (8B2-8B3) BE10/1

This line is effectively four-tracked throughout. However, the two pairs of tracks follow different alignments over some sections, to the extent that they are accorded different line numbers by NMBS/SNCB: the "fast" route is line 25, the "slow" route line 27. Passenger trains between Bruxelles/Brussel and Antwerpen - both fast and stopping - normally use line 25. Principal normal regular passenger use of line 27 and associated routes is believed to be as follows:

• Y Machelen - Vilvoorde {1}: table 26 trains
• Vilvoorde - Y Weerde {1}: table 26 trains
• Y Weerde - Weerde - Mechelen (low level) south end: trains on tables 25 and 26 calling at Weerde
• Y Weerde - Hofstade - Y Prinsenhoek - Muizen [line 27B]: table 26 stopping trains between Mechelen and Vilvoorde calling at Muizen
• Muizen - Mechelen (low level) north end [lines 53, 53A]: table 26 stopping trains between Mechelen and Vilvoorde calling at Muizen
• Mechelen (low level) - Mechelen-Nekkerspoel: IR b trains
• Mechelen-Nekkerspoel - Y Sint-Katelijne-Waver: IC Q, IC R and IR b trains (all SSuX)
• Y Sint-Katelijne-Waver - Y Duffel {1}: IC Q, IC R and IR b trains (all SSuX)
• Y Duffel - Kontich {1}: IC Q and IR b trains (all SSuX)
• Kontich - Hove {1}: services via @BE10/5 and @BE10/6
• Hove - Y Liersesteenweg: services via @BE10/5 and @BE10/6
• Y Liersesteenweg - Y Drabstraat: see @BE10/5
• Y Drabstraat - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 5 and 8: table 15 trains (except those via @BE10/7), and table 25 trains via @BE10/5
• Y Liersesteenweg - Y Krijgsbaan [line 27A]: see @BE10/6
• Y Krijgsbaan - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 1 and 4 [line 27A]: table 15 trains via @BE10/7, and table 25 trains via @BE10/6

{1} - these sections of line 27 are parallel and adjacent to line 25

Antwerpen-Noordderdokken - Antwerpen docks area

[12] (8B3) BE10/2

A restricted peak hour service is provided between Antwerpen-Berchem and Antwerpen-Haven, sited in the south yards alongside the traction depot. See table 12.

This route (part of line 27A) has also been used in the past by unadvertised staff trains into the Antwerpen docks complex, with services from Antwerpen-Berchem shown on the departure screens there (but not on the printed lists) continuing beyond Antwerpen-Haven to complete a clockwise circuit via the north side yards calling at additional staff halts. It is not known if they still run. If any reader observes such trains on the departure screens the compilers would be very pleased to hear from them.

Antwerpen-Centraal avoiding line: Antwerpen-Berchem (Y Noord Berchem) — Antwerpen-Oost

[12] (8B3) BE10/3

This curve (two parallel double-track lines, 27/1 and part of 27A), avoiding Antwerpen-Centraal, is accessible from Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 1 to 8 only. Since the opening of the through platforms at Antwerpen-Centraal its usage has been much reduced:

	SSuX	P7272	06:58 Antwerpen-Berchem – Antwerpen-Haven
	SSuX	P7276	07:29 Antwerpen-Berchem – Antwerpen-Haven
	SSuX	P8280	Antwerpen-Haven - 16:19 Antwerpen-Oost - Aarschot
	SSuX	P8215	Antwerpen-Noorderdokken - 16:41 Antwerpen-Dam - Aarschot
	SSuX	P8274	Antwerpen-Noorderdokken - 17:33 Antwerpen-Luchtbal - Boom

Antwerpen-Berchem — Antwerpen-Zuid (Y West Berchem) via relief route

[52, 59] (8B3) BE10/4

There are two routes over this section: line 59/1, the normal route to/from Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 6 and 7 leading to Antwerpen-Centraal, and part of line 59, the relief route to/from platforms 2 and 3 leading to Antwerpen-Oost. The relief route is used by trains as indicated on the platform departure sheets at Antwerpen-Berchem.

D	WO	P7289	12:29 Antwerpen-Berchem - St.Niklaas
	SSuX	P8292	17:13 Antwerpen-Berchem - St.Niklaas
	SSuX	P8274	Antwerpen-Noorderdokken - 17:44 Antwerpen-Berchem - Boom
	SSuX	P8293	18:13 Antwerpen-Berchem - St.Niklaas

If a reader discovers any arrival sheets and can identify arrivals using this route, the compilers would be very pleased to hear from them.

Hove (Y Liersesteenweg) — Mortsel (Y Drabstraat)

[15, 25] (8B3) BE10/5

This route (part of line 27) acts as a connecting spur between the Antwerpen - Lier line (the middle line of the three between Antwerpen-Berchem and the Mortsel area) south of Mortsel, and the Antwerpen - Bruxelles/Brussel main line north of Hove. It is used by services between Mechelen and Antwerpen which call at both Hove and Mortsel.

Hove (Y Liersesteenweg) — Antwerpen-Berchem (Y Krijgsbaan)

[25] (8B3) BE10/6

This route (part of line 27A) constitutes the easternmost pair of tracks between Hove and Antwerpen-Berchem (east side platforms 1 and 4). It is used by trains to and from the Mechelen line indicated on the platform departure and arrival sheets at Antwerpen-Berchem as using these platforms. Details for the current timetable period are not known. If any reader can provide details from the departure and arrival sheets the compilers would be very pleased to hear from them.

Boechout (Y Aubry) — Antwerpen-Berchem (Y Krijgsbaan)

[15] (8B3) BE10/7

This route (line 15/1) is a flying-junction link between the Lier line and Antwerpen-Berchem's east side platforms 1 and 4. It may be used by trains running non-stop between Lier and Antwerpen-Berchem but confirmation would be welcome.

The following train has been observed using this route:

SSuX

P7215

Hasselt - 07:42 Lier - Antwerpen-Berchem

Sint-Katelijne-Waver (Y Sint-Katelijne-Waver/Y Otterbeek) — Muizen

[25, 53a] (8B2) BE10/8

This north to east curve north of Mechelen (part of line 27B) links the Antwerpen - Bruxelles/Brussel and the Mechelen - Hever - Leuven lines. North of Mechelen-Nekkerspoel, the northbound and southbound tracks form a flying junction with line 27, and are on quite separate alignments. It is used by IC Q services between Antwerpen and Leuven on weekdays.

Aarschot avoiding line: Begijnendijk (Y Noord Aarschot) — Langdorp (Y Oost Aarschot)

[16, 35] (8B2) BE10/9

A west to east link (part of line 16) avoiding Aarschot station.

SSuX

P7215

Hasselt - 07:16 Langdorp - Antwerpen-Berchem

Delta (Y Etterbeek) — Boondaal (Y Boondaal)

[26] (10B1) BE10/10

This line, part of line 26 (the through Halle - Mechelen line avoiding Bruxelles/Brussel on the east side), forms the third side of a triangle, avoiding Etterbeek station. It is used by an hourly service of L trains, SSuX, shown in table 26 as not calling at Etterbeek.

St. Job (Y Linkebeek-Halle) — Linkebeek [26, 124]

(10B1) BE10/11

This flying connection enables trains from the east side stations in Bruxelles/Brussel to proceed direct, via Etterbeek, to the Charleroi line. It is used by hourly SSuX trains between Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman and Braine l'Alleud and also by two P trains each way between Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman and Châtelet.

Hever (Y Hever) — Hofstade (Y Prinsenhoek)

[36, 53a] (8B2) BE10/12

This curve (line 27B/1) forms part of a link between the Bruxelles/Brussel - Antwerpen line and the Mechelen - Leuven line, providing an alternative to the direct Bruxelles/Brussel - Leuven line. It no longer has any booked services.

Leuven avoiding line: Wijnmaal (Y Holsbeek) — Wezemaal (Y Dijlebrug)

[35, 53a] (8B2) BE10/13

This curve (line 53/1) enables trains between the Mechelen and Aarschot directions to avoid reversal at Leuven.

E	SSuO	ICT6801	Hasselt - 07:57 Aarschot - Oostende
E	SSuO	ICT6851	Oostende - 19:37 Haacht - Hasselt

Leuven avoiding line: Herent (Y Wilsele) — Wezemaal (Y Holsbeek)

[35, 36] (8B2, not shown) BE10/14

This relatively recent west to north curve (line 35/2) links the Bruxelles/Brussel - Leuven "slow" line (line 36) and the Aarschot line, enabling direct trains to avoid reversal at Leuven.

	SSuX	P8305	Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid - 16:24 Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord - Tongeren
	SSuX	P8306	Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid - 17:15 Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord - Hasselt
	SSuX	P8307	Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid - 17:44 Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord - Hasselt
	SSuX	P8308	Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid - 18:13 Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord - Tongeren
E	SSuO	ICT6871	Blankenberge - 20:23 Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord - Tongeren
	SSuX	P7305	Hasselt - 06:45 Aarschot - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid
	SSuX	P7306	Tongeren - 07:26 Aarschot - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid
	SSuX	P7307	Hasselt - 07:46 Aarschot - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid
	SSuX	P7308	Tongeren - 08:03 Hasselt - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid (the routing of this train is not definite)
E	SSuO	ICT6731	Tongeren - 09:07 Aarschot - Blankenberge

Herent — Leuven via "fast" line viaduct

[36] (8B2) BE10/15

Between Herent and Leuven, the recently-constructed "fast" line (part of line 36N) follows a route on a viaduct to the west of the "slow" line (the original line 36). Line 36 makes a burrowing junction with line 36N at each end of this section. "Fast" line 36N is typically used by trains via Leuven platforms 1-4, including Thalys, DB ICE and IC services. "Slow" line 36 is typically used by trains to or from Leuven platforms A-C and 5 upwards, including IR, CR and L services.

Schaarbeek — Diegem (Y.Diegem-West) via line 36N

[36] (10B2, not shown) BE10/16

This relatively recent "fast" line viaduct rises up on the west side of the main lines at Schaarbeek, but to the east of Schaarbeek-Vorming/Formation (yard), and flies over the eastbound “slow” line (the original line 36) and the Antwerpen line (line 25) to form the centre tracks of the four track main line to Leuven.

It is typically used by trains using Leuven platforms 1-4, including IC K (Gent - Genk) services but not normally IC A (Oostende - Eupen) services. In the peak a number of P-Trains also use the line, those using the low numbered platforms at Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord. Confirmation of any specific service routed this way would be welcome.

Leuven — Heverlee (Y Tivoli) via diveunder line

[139] (8B2) BE10/17

Most trains on the Leuven - Ottignies route use the direct connection (part of line 139) into platforms 1 or D at Leuven. However, some trains may use the diveunder line (line 139/1) in order to reach higher-numbered platforms. If any reader can provide details from the departure and arrival sheets the compilers would be very pleased to hear from them.

Leuven - Ans via high speed line

[36] (8B2-9B2) BE10/18

This route, line 2, is used by trains running non-stop between Leuven and Liège Guillemins, including Thalys, DB ICE and IC A services.

Chênée - Hergenrath (Hammerbrücke) via high speed line

[36] (9B1, shown incorrectly) BE10/19

This route, line 3, is used by Thalys and DB ICE services between Liège Guillemins and Aachen Hbf.

Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman (Y Josaphat) - Schaarbeek

[161] (10B2) BE10/20

Trains north-west of Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman normally use the line into Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord. However, some P trains run to/from Schaarbeek via this route (part of line 161), as identified by a Schaarbeek timing in the column heading or footing in table 161. This line is accessible only from platforms 3 and 4 at Schaarbeek.

Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman (Y Josaphat) — Bockstael (Y Zennebrug)

[50, 161] (10B2) BE10/21

Most trains north of Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman use the line into Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord, but this route (line 161/1) provides a direct connection to the Jette line. On SSuX it is used by hourly CR trains between Braine l'Alleud and Aalst via Schuman and Jette, and by other P trains via Jette with no Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord timing in table 50.

Jette — Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid (via Bruxelles-Ouest)

[60] (10B1-10B2) BE10/22

This route (lines 28 and 28/1) around the west side of Bruxelles/Brussel enables trains to run between Jette and Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid without using the main line via Bruxelles-Central/Brussel-Centraal. Formerly traversed by only a few peak hour trains, it is now used by SSuX services calling at Brussel West and Simonis, both of which re-opened with the start of the December 2009 timetable.

Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid (Y Sint-Katherina-Lombeek) — Gent (Y Welle) ("new" main line between Bruxelles/Brussel and Gent)

[50] (8A2) BE10/23

This route, part of line 50A, is used by trains between Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid and Gent-Sint-Pieters not calling at Denderleeuw.

Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid (Y Sint-Katherina-Lombeek) — Liedekerke

[50] (8A2) BE10/24

This flying junction (line 50A/2) is the connection between the east end of Denderleeuw station and the "new" main line to Bruxelles/Brussel. It is used by trains shown non-stop between Denderleeuw or Liedekerke and Bruxelles/Brussel on table 50.

Denderleeuw — Gent (Y Welle)

[50] (8A2) BE10/25

This flying junction (line 50A/3) is the connection between the west end of Denderleeuw station and the "new" main line to Gent. It is used by trains shown non-stop between Denderleeuw and Gent-Sint-Peters on table 50.

Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid or Denderleeuw (Y Meulewijk) - Melle (Y Melle, Blok 27)

[50] (8A2) BE10/26

This flying junction (line 50A/4) is the connection between the "new" main line towards Bruxelles/Brussel and the Zottegem line, at the eastern end of the Gent area. It is used by trains shown non-stop between Bruxelles/Brussel or Denderleeuw and Melle on table 50.

	SSuX	P8010	Schaarbeek - 17:47 Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid - Gent-Dampoort - Sint-Niklaas
	SSuX	P7010	Sint-Niklaas - Gent-Dampoort - 08:07 Melle - Schaarbeek

Merelbeke (Y Oost Ledeberg) - Gent-Dampoort (Y Noord Ledeberg, Blok 29)

[50, 59] (8A2) BE10/27

This curve (part of line 58) allows trains to run direct between the Bruxelles/Brussel and Antwerpen directions, avoiding Gent-Sint-Pieters station.

	SSuX	P8010	Schaarbeek - 18:26 Merelbeke - Sint-Niklaas
	SSuX	P7010	Sint-Niklaas - 07:58 Gentbrugge - Schaarbeek

Gent-Sint-Pieters — Drongen (Y Snepbrug)

[50a] (7B2) BE10/28

This is the more northerly route (line 50A/6) between the west end of Gent-Sint-Pieters station and the Oostende main line, running to the north of the line 75 tracks. It is used by trains to or from the lower-numbered platforms at Gent-Sint-Pieters. In the past this included hourly eastbound IC G trains (Oostende to Antwerpen), and a few early morning and evening westbound local services. If any reader can provide details from the departure and arrival sheets the compilers would be very pleased to hear from them.

Oostkamp (Y Oostkamp) — Brugge

[50a] (7B2) BE10/29

This is a grade separated junction (line 50A/5) linking the Gent main line to the northern platforms at Brugge, avoiding confliction with the Kortrijk line. It is believed it is used by most IC E services from (but not to) Bruxelles/Brussel and in the past by most Monday to Friday local services between Gent and Brugge. Information for the current timetable period would be welcome.

Kortrijk avoiding line: Mouscron/Moeskroen (Kortrijk-Goederen) — Ingelmunster (Y Leiebrug)

[66, 75] (7B2) BE10/30

This curve enables trains to run direct between Mouscron/Moeskroen and Lichtervelde without reversing at Kortrijk.

E	SSuO	IC6802	Châtelet - 09:14 Mouscron/Moeskroen - Oostende
E	SSuO	IC6705	Jemeppe sur Sambre - 09:27 Mouscron/Moeskroen - Blankenberge
E	SSuO	IC6852	Oostende - 19:12 Lichtervelde - Châtelet
E	SSuO	IC6755	Blankenberge - 20:07 Lichtervelde - Jemeppe sur Sambre

Saint-Ghislain — Ville-Pommeroeul (relief passenger line)

[78] (8A1) BE10/31

This spur from Saint-Ghislain's Quiévrain line platforms (3, 4 and 5) to the Tournai line runs independently on the south side of the main lines. The following train was observed as using this route in 2009:

E

SSuO

IC6802

Châtelet - 08:26 Saint-Ghislain - Oostende

The following train may use this route:

D

WFO

P7564

Tournai - 12:51 Ville-Pommeroeul - St. Ghislain - Quiévrain

If any reader can check the printed departure sheets for westbound departures from platforms 3, 4 and 5 towards Ville-Pommeroeul the compilers would be very pleased to hear from them.

See also

• Belgium
• Belgium - General Information