Belgium - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable period commencing 15 December 2013. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information.

Obscure services

Bruxelles/Brussel — Antwerpen via line 27

[25] (8B2-8B3) BE14/1

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, IR b, IR d during the evening when IR b does not run, and L trains between Nivelle and Antwerpen (all SSuX)
• Y Weerde - Weerde - Mechelen (low level) south end: the usage is the same as for Vilvoorde - Y Weerde except for those table 26 trains booked to call at Muizen, which diverge from/join Line 27 at Y Weerde. Normally trains booked to call at Weerde use platforms 3 and 4 (and hence Line 27 throughout between Vilvoorde and Mechelen) SSuX, but platforms 1 and 2 (and hence Line 25) SSuO and late at night SSuX.
• 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, IR d during the evening when IR b does not run, and L trains between Nivelle and Antwerpen (all SSuX).
• Mechelen-Nekkerspoel - Y Sint-Katelijne-Waver: IC R, IR b, IR d during the evening when IR b does not run, and L trains between Nivelle and Antwerpen (all SSuX).
• Y Sint-Katelijne-Waver - Y Duffel {1}: IC R and IR b, IR d during the evening when IR b does not run, and L trains between Nivelle and Antwerpen (all SSuX).
• Y Duffel - Kontich {1}: IR b trains (SSuX)
• Kontich - Hove {1}: services via BE14/5
• Hove - Y Liersesteenweg: services via BE14/5
• Y Liersesteenweg - Y Drabstraat: see BE14/5
• Y Drabstraat - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 5 and 8: table 15 trains (except those via BE14/6), and table 25 trains via BE14/5
• Y Liersesteenweg - Y Krijgsbaan [line 27A]: no known services
• Y Krijgsbaan - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 1 and 4 [line 27A]: table 15 trains via BE14/6

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

Antwerpen-Noordderdokken - Antwerpen docks area

[12] (8B3) BE14/2

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. It is thought that the inbound and outbound trains take different routes through the yards. The compilers would be very pleased to receive any details of the train routings.

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) BE14/3

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) BE14/4

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 2014:

	SSuX	P7291	Dendermonde - 07:49 Antwerpen-Zuid - Antwerpen-Berchem
	SSuX	P7292	St.Niklaas - 08:49 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	17:12 Antwerpen-Berchem - St.Niklaas
	SSuX	P8293	18:12 Antwerpen-Berchem - St.Niklaas

Hove (Y Liersesteenweg) — Mortsel (Y Drabstraat)

[15, 25] (8B3) BE14/5

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.

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

[15] (8B3) BE14/6

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 - 16:48 Antwerpen Berchem - Aarschot

Lier (Y Lint) – Kontich

[15] (8B3) BE14/7

This curve provides an alternative route between the Lier line and Antwerpen-Berchem's west side platforms. It was used in 2011 (and probably in 2012) to enable two peak hour trains between Lier and Antwerpen-Berchem to be overtaken by a following service. The timetable implies that this no longer happens in 2014 but the compilers would appreciate confirmation of this.

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

[25] (8B2, not shown) BE14/8

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 services. The section north of Y Machelen-Noord is used also by trains between Brussel-Nationaal-Luchthaven/Bruxelles National Aéroport and Mechelen or Antwerpen.

It should be noted that SNCB/NMBS's timetable information on services to/from the airport includes a map implying that there are services between Bruxelles/Brussel and the airport via line 25N and a curve leading in to the north end of the airport station. As at December 2013 there are no passenger services booked via this curve.

Delta (Y Etterbeek) — Boondaal (Y Boondaal)

[26] (10B1) BE14/9

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) BE14/10

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)

[34, 35] (8B2, not shown) BE14/11

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. Note this train runs non-stop from Hasselt to Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord so its use of this route is not certain, although highly likely.

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

[35, 53a] (8B2) BE14/12

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) BE14/13

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 and L services.

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

[36] (10B2, not shown) BE14/14

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) BE14/15

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), 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), 20:02 (L3089) and 22:32 (L6492).

Leuven — Ans via high speed line

[36] (8B2-9B2) BE14/16

This route, line 2, is used by trains running non-stop between Liège Guillemins and either Leuven or Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord, including Thalys, DB ICE and IC A and O services.

Chênée — Hergenrath (Y Hammerbrücke) via high speed line

[37] (9B1, shown incorrectly) BE14/17

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) BE14/18

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) BE14/19

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 the following P trains:

	SSuX	P8021	Etterbeek - 16:33 Bruxelles-Schuman/Brussel-Schuman - Denderleeuw
	SSuX	P7021	Aalst - 06:57 Bockstael - Bruxelles-Luxembourg/Brussel-Luxembourg
	SSuX	P7023	Denderleeuw - 08:58 Bockstael - Etterbeek

Bockstael (Y Zennebrug) — Schaerbeek

[50] (10B2) BE14/20

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 - 07:38 Bockstael [$] - Schaarbeek
	SSuX	P8022	17:32 Schaarbeek - Denderleeuw

Note $: 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) BE14/21

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) BE14/22

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) BE14/23

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 the following trains:

	SSuX	P7953	Geraardsbergen - 07:34 Denderleeuw - Gent St Pieters
E	SSuO	IC2128	Arlon - 08:48 Denderleeuw - Oostende
	SSuO	IC1554	Liège-Guillemins - 23:43 Denderleeuw - Oostende
	SSuX	P7002	Brugge - 06:45 Gent St Pieters - Schaarbeek
	SSuX	P8952	16:48 Gent St Pieters - Geraardsbergen
E	SSuO	IC2118	Oostende - 17:54 Gent St Pieters - Luxembourg
E	SSuO	IC2119	Oostende - 18:50 Gent St Pieters - Luxembourg
		IC522	Oostende - 23:29 Gent St Pieters - Welkenraedt

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

[50] (8A2) BE14/24

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) BE14/25

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 - 18:21 Merelbeke - Sint-Niklaas
	SSuX	P7010	Sint-Niklaas - 07:59 Gentbrugge - Schaarbeek

Gent-Sint-Pieters — Drongen (Y Assels)

[50a] (7B2) BE14/26

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 07:14 (P7054).
  • SSuO: IC G services.
• eastbound:
  • SSuX: all IC G services; all L services from Brugge except arrivals at 09;19 (L558) and 00:19 (L573); plus arrivals at 05:50 (P7051) and 08:54 (P7053).
  • SSuO: IC G services.

Oostkamp (Y Oostkamp) — Brugge

[50a] (7B2) BE14/27

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) BE14/28

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. On the basis of the layout plans, it seems likely that trains will use the connection closer to the main line. However, there have been reports of the train using the connection further south when a freight train occupied the connection closer to the main line.

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) BE14/29

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:

		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) BE14/30

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) BE14/31

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) BE14/32

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

D	SSuX	P7773	Manage - 07:05 La Louvière-Centre - Mons
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] BE14/33

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] BE14/34

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.

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 outside the tourist season (late June - end of September) but Zeebrugge Strand at weekends and during the tourist season.
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

BE13/6	Hove (Y Liersesteenweg) - Antwerpen-Berchem (Y Krijgsbaan)	no evidence of any train using this route
BE13/9	Sint-Katelijne-Waver (Y Sint-Katelijne-Waver/Y Otterbeek) — Muizen	no evidence of any train using this route