Belgium - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Introduction

This list is based on the timetable period commencing 13 December 2015. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information.

Unless otherwise noted, it may be assumed that high speed trains (TGV, DB ICE, Thalys, Eurostar and domestic IC) make maximum use of high speed lines on their line of route: Bruxelles/Brussel - Lille, Leuven - Ans (- Liège ) and (Liège -) Chênée - Hergenrath (- Aachen).

Obscure services

Trams

See Tram services over obscure routes - Belgium

Bruxelles/Brussel — Antwerpen via line 27

[25] (8B2-8B3) BE15/1

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 BE15/2
• Hove - Y Liersesteenweg: services via BE15/2
• Y Liersesteenweg - Y Drabstraat: see BE15/2
• Y Drabstraat - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 5 and 8: table 15 trains and table 25 trains via BE15/2
• Y Liersesteenweg - Y Krijgsbaan [line 27A]: no known services
• Y Krijgsbaan - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 1 and 4 [line 27A]: no known services

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

Hove (Y Liersesteenweg) — Mortsel (Y Drabstraat)

[15, 25] (8B3) BE16/2

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 S1 services between Mechelen and Antwerpen which call at both Hove and Mortsel.

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

[16, 35] (8B2) BE16/3

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

	SSuX	P8214	Antwerpen-Centraal - 17:19 Heist-op-den-Berg - Hasselt
	SSuX	P8215	Antwerpen-Centraal - 18:19 Heist-op-den-Berg - Hasselt
	SSuX	P7214	Hasselt - 06:23 Diest - Antwerpen-Centraal
	SSuX	P7215	Hasselt - 07:23 Diest - Antwerpen-Centraal

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

[25] (8B2, not shown) BE16/4

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.

Schaarbeek (Y Machelen-Zuid) — Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven/Bruxelles National Aéroport (Y Brucargo)

[25, 36, 36C] (8B2, not shown) BE16/5

This is the south curve of the Machelen triangle of the high speed line between Schaarbeek and Mechelen. It is used by:

• IC services between Bruxelles Nord/Brussel Noord and Leuven (and beyond) via Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven.
• IC services between Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven and Mons, which take 11 minutes between Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven and Bruxelles Nord/Brussel Noord.

It is not used by IC services to/from Amsterdam, taking 13 minutes for the journey, as these run non-stop via Zaventem.

Haren (Y Harenheide) — Diegem (Y Diegem West)

[26, 36, 161] (10B2) BE16/6

This connection links line 26 (the through Halle - Mechelen line avoiding central Bruxelles/Brussel on the east side) with line 36, the main Bruxelles/Brussel - Leuven - Liège-Palais line. Note that it forms a grade separated junction at Y Diegem West.

It is used by the following peak hour services

	SSuX	S9 3278	Landen - 07:14 Diegem - Schaerbeek
	SSuX	S9 3279	Landen - 08:14 Diegem - Schaerbeek
	SSuX	S9 3265	Schaerbeek - 16:26 Etterbeek - Landen
	SSuX	S9 3266	Schaerbeek - 17:26 Etterbeek - Landen

Delta (Y Etterbeek) — Boondaal (Y Boondaal)

[26] (10B1) BE16/7

This line, part of line 26 (the through Halle - Mechelen line avoiding central Bruxelles/Brussel on the east side), forms the third side of a triangle, avoiding Etterbeek station. It is used by an hourly service of S7 trains, SSuX, shown in table 26 as not calling at Etterbeek.

St. Job (Y Linkebeek-Halle) — Linkebeek

[26, 124] (10B1) BE16/8

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 IC trains between Schaerbeek and Charleroi Sud via Bruxelles/Brussel-Luxembourg and also by two P trains each way between Bruxelles/Brussel-Luxembourg and Braine l'Alleud.

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

[34, 35] (8B2, not shown) BE16/9

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. It is used by all trains running non-stop between Bruxelles/Brussel-Nord and Aarschot.

Herent — Leuven via "fast" line viaduct

[36] (8B2) BE16/10

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) BE16/11

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) BE15/10

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.

• Departures from Leuven SuO in summer at 20:48 (P8220), 21:18 (P8223) and 21:40 (P8900) are booked to use the higher-numbered platforms.
• Departures from Leuven SuO when the Walibi Amusement Park is open (see timetable notes for dates) at 09:40 (P8220) and 10:40 (P8900) have no booked platform so may use the higher-numbered platforms.
• Arrivals at Leuven SuO when the Walibi Amusement Park is open (see timetable notes for dates) at 17:20 (ICT6937), 18:20 (ICT6938), 19:20 (ICT6939), 20:20 (ICT6940), 21:20 (ICT6941) and 22:20 (ICT6942) have no booked platform so may use the higher-numbered platforms.
• Arrival at Leuven on 26, 29 and 30 October 2015 at 22:35 (L6471) has no booked platform so may use the higher-numbered platforms.

Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman (Y Josaphat) — Schaarbeek

[26, 124, 161] (10B2) BE16/13

Trains running north-west of Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman normally use the line into Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord. However, some P and IC 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 tables 26, 124 and 161. This line is accessible only from platforms 3 and 4 at Schaarbeek.

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

[50, 161] (10B2) BE16/14

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 S4 local trains between Merode/Mérode and Aalst via Schuman and Jette.

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

[50] (8A2) BE16/15

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) BE15/16

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) BE16/17

This flying junction (line 50A/3) is the connection between the west end of Denderleeuw station and the "new" main line to Gent. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.It is used by the following trains:

	SSuX	P7973	Geraardsbergen - 06:54 Denderleeuw - Gent St Pieters
	SSuX	P7975	Geraardsbergen - 07:48 Denderleeuw - Gent St Pieters
	SSuX	P8972	16:48 Gent St Pieters - Geraardsbergen
	SSuX	P8974	17:48 Gent St Pieters - Geraardsbergen

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

[50] (8A2) BE16/18

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. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

	SSuX	P8013	Schaarbeek - 17:30 Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid - Gent-Dampoort - Sint-Niklaas
	SSuX	P7013	Sint-Niklaas - Gent-Dampoort - 08:01 Melle - Schaarbeek

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

[50, 59] (8A2) BE16/19

This curve (part of line 58) allows trains to run direct between the Bruxelles/Brussel and Antwerpen directions, avoiding Gent-Sint-Pieters station. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

	SSuX	P8013	Schaarbeek - 18:04 Merelbeke - Sint-Niklaas
	SSuX	P7013	Sint-Niklaas - 07:51 Gentbrugge - Schaarbeek

Gent-Sint-Pieters — Drongen (Y Assels)

[50a] (7B2) BE16/20

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/from Brugge which use the low numbered platforms at Gent-Sint-Pieters, notably IC services to/from Antwerpen. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

Oostkamp (Y Oostkamp) — Brugge

[50a] (7B2) BE15/21

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 via Ligne 78, Voie 1bis

[78] (8A1) BE15/22

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.

No trains have been identified as booked to use one of these platforms at Saint-Ghislain. The compilers would be pleased to learn of any trains observed using this route.

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

[50] (10B1) BE15/24

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. No IC services have been identified as using a platform lower than number 6. However, some P service arrivals do not specify a platform, so might be candidates for this route. According to the Infrabel map dated 11 July 2014 this route is at present out of use. If it is not reinstated, this entry will be deleted at the 2015/16 annual update.

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

[96] (10B1, not shown) BE15/25

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) BE15/26

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

D	SSuX	P7774	Luttre - 07:56 La Louvière-Centre - Mons
D	SSuX	P8775	Mons - 16:42 Bracquegnies - La Louvière-Centre

Fleurus — Auvelais

(8B1) [130, 140] BE15/27

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] BE15/28

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] BE15/29

This connections links the SNCB line from Athus to Dinant via Virton and Bertrix with Rodange. Most services to/from Virton run from/to Athus. The following trains use the direct line to Rodange.

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

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.
50a	Zwankendamme – Zeebrugge Dorp or Zeebrugge Strand	Different terminal stations located on two different branches are used - Zeebrugge Dorp on Mondays to Fridays outside the tourist season (late June - end of August) but Zeebrugge Strand at weekends and during the tourist season.
52	[Antwerpen-Centraal -] Antwerpen-Zuid - Puurs	No service at weekends.
82	Aalst - Burst	No trains 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

BE15/11	Leuven — Ans via high speed line	Usage obvious and now covered by general note in the Introduction
BE15/12	Chênée — Hergenrath (Y Hammerbrücke) via high speed line	Usage obvious and now covered by general note in the Introduction
BE15/23	Antoing LGV spur: Y Maubray — Y Antoing	Service withdrawn and no prospect of reinstatement