Belgium - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable period commencing 9 December 2012. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information.

Obscure services

Bruxelles/Brussel — Antwerpen via line 27

[25] (8B2-8B3) BE13/1

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 BE13/5 and BE13/6
• Hove - Y Liersesteenweg: services via BE13/5 and BE13/6
• Y Liersesteenweg - Y Drabstraat: see BE13/5
• Y Drabstraat - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 5 and 8: table 15 trains (except those via BE13/7), and table 25 trains via BE13/5
• Y Liersesteenweg - Y Krijgsbaan [line 27A]: see BE13/6
• Y Krijgsbaan - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 1 and 4 [line 27A]: table 15 trains via BE13/7, and table 25 trains via BE13/6

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

Antwerpen-Noordderdokken - Antwerpen docks area

[12] (8B3) BE13/2

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 or alternatively can confirm they have ceased the compilers would be very pleased to hear from them.

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

[12] (8B3) BE13/3

This line avoiding Antwerpen-Centraal on the east side of the city centre 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

P8215

Antwerpen-Haven - 16:38 Antwerpen-Luchtbal - Aarschot

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

[52, 59] (8B3) BE13/4

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 the following trains in 2013.

	SSuX	P7290	St.Niklaas - 06:47 Antwerpen-Zuid - Antwerpen-Berchem
	SSuX	P7291	Lokeren - 07:54 Antwerpen-Zuid - Antwerpen-Berchem
	SSuX	P7292	St.Niklaas - 08:47 Antwerpen-Zuid - Antwerpen-Berchem
D	WO	P7295	St.Niklaas - 12:47 Antwerpen-Zuid - Antwerpen-Berchem
	SSuX	P8291	St.Niklaas - 16:44 Antwerpen-Zuid - Antwerpen-Berchem
D	WO	P7289	12:29 Antwerpen-Berchem - St.Niklaas
	SSuX	P8292	17:13 Antwerpen-Berchem - St.Niklaas
	SSuX	P8293	18:13 Antwerpen-Berchem - St.Niklaas

Hove (Y Liersesteenweg) — Mortsel (Y Drabstraat)

[15, 25] (8B3) BE13/5

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) BE13/6

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 but it is probable that trains are no longer booked by this route since the opening of the through lines at Antwerpen-Centraal. If any reader can identify trains booked by this route the compilers would be very pleased to hear from them.

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

[15] (8B3) BE13/7

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 is used by the following trains running non-stop between Lier and Antwerpen-Berchem:

	SSuX	P7215	Aarschot - 07:42 Lier - Antwerpen Berchem
	SSuX	P8215	Antwerpen Hafen - 16:47 Antwerpen Berchem - Aarschot

Lier (Y Lint) – Kontich

[12] (8B3) BE13/8

This curve provides an alternative route between the Lier line and Antwerpen-Berchem's west side platforms. The following trains used this route in 2011 (and probably in 2012) in order to be overtaken by a following service. The timetable implies that this no longer happens in 2013 but the compilers would appreciate confirmation of this.

	SSuX	L2357	Herentals - 07:27 Lier - Antwerpen Centraal *
	SSuX	L2358	Herentals - 08:27 Lier - Antwerpen Centraal *

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

[25, 53a] (8B2) BE13/9

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 (northbound at Y Otterbeek and southbound at Y Sint-Katelijne-Waver, the junctions being about 2 Km apart), and are on quite separate alignments. Prior to June 2012 it was used by IC Q services between Antwerpen and Leuven on weekdays but now has no booked use as these trains run via Mechelen and line 25N.

Schaarbeek (Y Albertbrug) — Mechelen (Y Abeelstraat) via line 25N

[25] (8B2, not shown) BE13/10

This new high speed line Between Schaarbeek and Mechelen, opened in June 2012, follows the course of the A1 motorway, to the east of the existing line 25. The entire line is used only by Thalys, but not Fyra, services. The section north of Y Machelen-Noord is used also by trains between Brussel-Nationaal-Luchthaven/Bruxelles National Aéroport and Mechelen or Antwerpen.

Delta (Y Etterbeek) — Boondaal (Y Boondaal)

[26] (10B1) BE13/11

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 a mainly half-hourly service of L trains, SSuX, shown in table 26 as not calling at Etterbeek.

St. Job (Y Linkebeek-Halle) — Linkebeek

[26, 124] (10B1) BE13/12

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

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

[35, 36] (8B2, not shown) BE13/13

This west <==> 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 - 16:52 Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord - Hasselt
	SSuX	P8307	Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid - 17:26 Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord - Hasselt
	SSuX	P8308	Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid - 18:14 Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord - Tongeren
	SSuX	P7305	Hasselt - 06:45 Aarschot - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid
	SSuX	P7306	Tongeren - 07:19 Aarschot - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid
	SSuX	P7307	Hasselt - 07:46 Aarschot - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid
	SSuX	P7308	Tongeren - 08:02 Hasselt - Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid

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

[35, 53a] (8B2) BE13/14

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

Herent — Leuven via "fast" line viaduct

[36] (8B2) BE13/15

Between Herent and Leuven, the "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 traversed by trains using 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) BE13/16

This "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 welcomed by the compilers.

Leuven — Heverlee (Y Tivoli) via diveunder line

[139] (8B2) BE13/17

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 use the diveunder line (line 139/1) in order to reach higher-numbered platforms. The following trains are booked to use the higher-numbered platforms:

• departures from Leuven at 05:28 (L6455), 05:58 (L3056), 06:28 (L6456), 06:58 (L3057), 07:58 (L3058), 08:58 (L3059), 14:28 (L6464), 16:00 (L3066), 20:28 (L6470) and 22:28 (L6472).
• arrivals at Leuven at 06:32 (L6476), 07:32 (L6477), 08:32 (L6478), 14:02 (L3083), 15:32 (L6485), 19:32 (L6489), 20:02 (L3089) and 21:32 (L6491).

Leuven - Ans via high speed line

[36] (8B2-9B2) BE13/18

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) BE13/19

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) BE13/20

Trains running 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) BE13/21

Most trains running north-west 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 L trains between Braine l'Alleud and Aalst via Schuman and Jette, and also by P trains via Jette with no Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord timing in table 50.

Bockstael (Y Zennebrug) — Schaerbeek

[50] (10B2) BE13/22

This curve had not carried advertised passenger services for a number of years. However, the following trains were diverted via this curve to/from Schaerbeek during 2011 owing to a signal box fire and still run this way.

	SSuX	P7022	Aalst - 07:39 Bockstael [$] - Schaarbeek
	SSuX	P8022	17:32 Schaarbeek - Denderleeuw

$ although the downloadable timetable shows the last stop as 07:35 at Jette, the journey planner gives the Bockstael stop.

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

[50] (8A2) BE13/23

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) BE13/24

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 on table 50 between Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid and either Denderleeuw or Liedekerke.

Denderleeuw — Gent (Y Welle)

[50] (8A2) BE13/25

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-Pieters on table 50.

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

[50] (8A2) BE13/26

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 - 08:09 Melle - Schaarbeek

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

[50, 59] (8A2) BE13/27

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 - 18:25 Merelbeke - Sint-Niklaas
	SSuX	P7010	Sint-Niklaas - 08:00 Gentbrugge - Schaarbeek

Gent-Sint-Pieters — Drongen (Y Assels)

[50a] (7B2) BE13/28

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 the following trains to or from the lower-numbered platforms at Gent-Sint-Pieters:

• westbound:
  • SSuX: all IC G services and L services to Brugge, plus 07:18 (P7054).
  • SSuO: IC G services.
• eastbound:
  • SSuX: arrivals at 05:50 (P7051), 06:19 (L555), 06:45 (IC1806), 07:19 (L556), 07:45 (IC1807), 08:19 (L557), 08:42 (P7053), 08:45 (IC1808), 15:45 (IC1815), 16:19 (L565), 16:45 (IC1816), 17:19 (L566), 17:45 (IC1817), 18:19 (L567), 18:45 (IC1818), 19:19 (L568), 19:45 (IC1819), 20:19 (L569), 20:45 (IC1820), 21:19 (L570), 21:45 (IC1821), 22:19 (L571), 22:45 (IC1822), 23:19 (L572) and 00:19 (L573).
  • SSuO: IC G services.

Oostkamp (Y Oostkamp) — Brugge

[50a] (7B2) BE13/29

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. Local services to and from Gent use the low numbered platforms at Brugge and are therefore likely to take this route.

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

[78] (8A1) BE13/30

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. Note that there is another spur from Saint-Ghislain yard to the Tournai line, which runs further south (with a separate level crossing west of the station) and also connects to these platforms. It is unclear which connection trains will use. The following trains are booked to use one of these platforms at Saint-Ghislain so will use this route if they run as booked:

	SSuX	IR3827	Mouscron - 05:37 Ville-Pommeroeul - Jambes
D	WO	P7564	Tournai - 13:06 Ville-Pommeroeul - St. Ghislain - Quiévrain
	SSuX	IC943	Herstal - 22:50 St. Ghislain - Tournai
	SSuO	IC943	Liège-Palais - 23:06 St. Ghislain - Tournai

Antoing LGV spur: Y Maubray — Y Antoing

[118] (7B1) BE13/31

This spur (line 1/3) links the Mons - Tournai line to the LGV Nord Europe, towards Lille and Paris. It is used by Thalys trains between Liège and Paris booked to call at Mons:

Note: These services are suspended until 31 March 2013 owing to a scheduled maintenance programme for the Thalys units.

		THA9406	Liège-Guillemins - 07:38 Mons - Paris Nord
		THA9483	19:31 Paris Nord - Liège-Guillemins

Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid — Liedekerke (Y Petite Ile/Klein Eiland) via line 50A/1

[50] (10B1) BE13/32

This line, to the west of the main line and Forest/Vorst carriage sidings and loco depot, provides an alternative route at the south end throat of Midi station for trains to and from the "new" main line to Gent (line 50A) which use the lower numbered platforms at Midi. It has been reported in the past as being used by some trains on line IC K (Gent - Genk). Possible candidates for this routing, which are booked to use low-numbered platforms at Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid include:

• departures: IC2229 SSuX 08:54
• arrivals: P7902 SSuX 06:49; IC2209 SSuX 10:05; IC2220 SSuX 21:05

The compilers would appreciate reports of any trains using this route.

Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid — Forest-Midi/Vorst-Zuid via line 96N

[96] (10B1, not shown) BE13/33

This flyover (the saut de mouton du Midi) provides a connection between the low numbered platforms at Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid and the main line towards Halle (line 96). It is used by Eurostar, Thalys and TGV services and also by some services on Table 94 [Tournai and Mouscron] and Table 96 [Mons, Quiévrain and Quevy] - those leaving the low numbered platforms at Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel Zuid - although their routing will be determined by operational circumstances and they may run straight on to Line 96.

Bracquegnies (Y La Paix) — La Louvière-Centre

[118] (8B1) BE13/34

This curve (part of line 118) has a very limited service:

D	SSuX	P7773	Manage - 07:05 La Louvière-Centre - St Ghislain
D	SSuX	P7774	Luttre - 07:56 La Louvière-Centre - Mons
D	SSuX	P7874	Mons - 07:50 Bracquegnies - Charleroi Sud
D	WO	P7876	Mons - 12:52 Bracquegnies - La Louvière-Centre
D	SSuX	P8775	Mons - 16:51 Bracquegnies - La Louvière-Centre

Fleurus - Auvelais

(8B1) [130, 140] BE13/35

This line is used (usually only in one direction) when line 161 is blocked by engineering works between Ottignies and Gembloux. See the note at the bottom of the page for instructions on accessing forward information on engineering works.

Jemeppe (Y Jemeppe-Froidmont) - Moustier

(8B1) [130, 144] BE13/36

This line is used (usually only in one direction) when line 161 is blocked by engineering works between Gembloux and Namur. See the note at the bottom of the page for instructions on accessing forward information on engineering works.

Aubange SNCB (Y Aubange) — Rodange CFL

(17B1) [165] BE13/37

This connections links the SNCB line from Athus to Dinant via Virton and Bertrix with Rodange.

	SSuX	P7181	Virton - 06:46 Aubange - Rodange
	SSuX	P7182	Virton - 07:12 Aubange - Luxembourg
	SSuX	P8617 {1}	Luxembourg - 17:42 Rodange - Virton
	SSuX	P8618	18:12 Rodange - Virton
	SSuX	P8619 {2}	Luxembourg - 18:42 Rodange - Virton

Note:

{1} Train number RE86562 from Luxembourg to Rodange

{2} Train number RE86568 from Luxembourg to Rodange

Information on engineering works

Forward information on engineering works can be obtained from either:

(i) werfinftrv.infrabel.be/website_prd/map.aspx?lang=0 which gives an interactive map (select your date) and leads to details of each job shown

Or

(ii) werfinftrv.b-holding.be/printaffgen.aspx?lang=FR which gives an abridged listing of the month's works, plus forward continuing works.

By using the SNCB journey planner to call up trains on an affected route, two info buttons will be given - that in the "Correspondance" column leads to detailed information about the particular job affecting that train, whilst that in the "Infos" column will bring up the same abridged listing as werfinftrv.b-holding.be/printaffgen.aspx?lang=FR

Other sparse services

The following lines have few trains (relative to service levels generally in this country) - fewer than seven trains each way on at least three days a week - or do not run each weekday:

15	[Mechelen -] Duffel (Y Duffel) - Lier: No service at weekends.
26	Vilvoorde - Etterbeek - Halle: No service at weekends.
26	[Mechelen -] Muizen - Eppegem (Y Weerde): No service at weekends.
28	Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid - Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West - Jette: No service at weekends.
50a	Zwankendamme – Zeebrugge: Different terminal stations located on two different routes are used - Zeebrugge Dorp on Mondays to Fridays but Zeebrugge Strand at weekends and during the tourist season (late June - end of September).
52	[Antwerpen-Centraal -] Antwerpen-Zuid - Puurs: No service at weekends.
82	Aalst - Burst: Five trains one way and six the other Monday to Friday; none at weekends or during school holidays.
96	Mons - Quévy: No service at weekends.
108	Manage - Familleureux: No service at weekends.
144	Gembloux - Jemeppe-sur-Sambre: Four trains each way Monday to Friday; none at weekends.
163	Libramont - Bastogne: All services are provided by bus.
165	Virton - Athus: No service at weekends.
165	Arlon - Athus: No service at weekends; Athus - Rodange has CFL trains at weekends.

Deletions since previous edition

BE12/31

Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid — Forest-Midi/Vorst-Zuid (Y Petite Ile/Klein Eiland) via line 96A

no reports of any train using this route

See also

• Belgium
• Belgium - General Information