Belgium - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

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Introduction

This list is based on the timetable period commencing 11 December 2016. 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

Bruxelles/Brussel — Antwerpen via line 27

[25] (ERA 59C3-C5) BE17/1

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 the next entry
  • Hove - Y Liersesteenweg: services via the next entry
  • Y Liersesteenweg - Y Drabstraat: see the next entry
  • Y Drabstraat - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 5 and 8: table 15 trains, and table 25 trains via the next entry
  • 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] (ERA 61C1) BE17/2

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] (ERA 60A4) BE17/3

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] (ERA 59C3-C4) BE17/4

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. Only Thalys services use the entire line. The section north of Y Machelen-Noord is used also by trains between Brussel-Nationaal-Luchthaven/Bruxelles National Aéroport and Mechelen or Antwerpen. The section south of Y Machelen-Zuid is also used by trains between Brussel-Nationaal-Luchthaven/Bruxelles National Aéroport and Brussels Nord - see the next entry.

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

[25, 36, 36C] (ERA 62B2) BE17/5

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.
  • IC25 services from Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven to Dinant (in this direction only).
  • IC40 services from Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven to Charleroi-Sud (SSux: in this direction only).
  • IC40 services between Leuven and Braine-L Alleud (SSuO: in both directions)

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

Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven/Bruxelles National Aéroport (Y Machelen-Zuid) — Haren (Y Keelbeek Nord)

[26, 124, 161] (ERA 62B2) BE17/6

This east <=> south curve links the high speed line between Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven/Bruxelles National Aéroport and Schaarbeek with line 26 (the through Mechelen - Halle line avoiding central Bruxelles/Brussel on the east side). It is used by:

  • IC25 services from Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven to Dinant (in this direction only).
  • IC40 services from Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven to Charleroi-Sud (SSuX:in this direction only).
  • IC40 services between Leuven and Braine-L Alleud (SSuO: in both directions)

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map


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

[26, 36, 161] (ERA 62B2) BE17/7

This connection (line 36C) 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:

  • IC25 services from Dinant to Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven (SSuX in this direction only)
  • IC40 services from Charleroi-Sud to Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven (SSuX in this direction only)
  • S9 between Leuven and Braine-l'Alleud (hourly SSuX since the December 2016 timetable change, previously peak-hour only)

Schuman-Josaphat tunnel: Bruxelles/Brussel Schuman-Josaphat — Meiser

[26] (ERA 62A2) BE17/8

This new line, opened on 4 April 2016, is used SSuX by IC25 and IC40 services between Dinant/Charleroi-Sud and Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven, S5 services between Geraardsbergen and Mechelen) and S9 services between Braine-l'Alleud and Leuven. SSuO it is used by IC40 services between Leuven and Braine-l'Alleud.

Delta (Y Etterbeek) — Boondaal (Y Boondaal)

[26] (ERA 62B1) BE17/9

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] (ERA 62A1) BE17/10

This flying connection (line 26/5) 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 IC40 trains between Bruxelles National Aéroport/Brussel Nationaal Luchthaven and Charleroi Sud via Bruxelles/Brussel-Luxembourg and by hourly S9 service between Leuven/Louvain and Braine l'Alleud. On SSuO it is used used by the hourly IC40 services that only run between Leuven/Louvain and Braine l'Alleud.

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

[34, 35] (ERA 60A3) BE17/11

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. It is used by all trains running non-stop between Bruxelles/Brussel-Nord and Aarschot. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Herent — Leuven via "fast" line viaduct

[36] (ERA 60A3, not shown) BE17/12

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. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


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

[36] (ERA 62A2) BE17/13

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] (ERA 60A3, not shown) BE17/14

Most trains on the Leuven - Ottignies route use the direct connection (part of line 139) into platform D at Leuven. However a few services arrive in platforms 5/6 at Leuven or depart from platform 8 at Leuven. On SSuX these are 3076 from Leuven and 6468, 3069 and 6470 to Leuven. On SSuO these are 3062 and 3084. Note that this platform allocation is taken from the SNCB/NMBS journey planner for particular dates in January 2017 and has not been checked with the departure and arrival sheets for Leuven itself. In previous years P or ICT services between Flanders and the Walibi amusement park have used this route when that park is open but at the time of writing, only services to Walibi from Wallonia are in the system.

Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman (Y Josaphat) — Schaarbeek

[26, 124, 161] (ERA 62A2) BE17/15

Trains running north-west of Bruxelles/Brussel-Schuman normally use the line into Bruxelles-Nord/Brussel-Noord. However, dated peak-hour only route S81 runs to/from Schaarbeek via this route (part of line 161). S81 services can be found using the advanced mode of the SNCB/NMBS journey planner to exclude both buses and connections. Note that this line is accessible only from platforms 3 and 4 at Schaarbeek.

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

[50, 161] (ERA 62A2) BE17/16

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 Vilvoorde and Aalst via Schuman and Jette.

Tour & Taxis (Y Pannenhuis) - Y Laken/Laeken - Y Zennebrug/Pont-de-la-Senne - Schaerbeek / Schaarbeek

[50, 161] (ERA 62A2) BE17/16A

Most ICE services between Brussels Midi and Aachen call at Brussels Nord and Liege in Belgium. ICE 13, the 0824 from Brussels Midi runs non-stop from Brussels Midi to Liege. It is booked via line 28 and Brussels West/Ouest, presumably due to a lack of paths through the north/south tunnel at that time of the morning. In order to get from Brussels West/Ouest to line 36 towards Germany, it must use two curves that have no other service - Y Pannenhuis - Y Laken and Y Zennebrug - Schaerbeek / Schaarbeek. The second of these curves had a service of one P train each way until the December 2014 timetable change (see BE14/20).

There is some speculation that the Eurostar service to and from Amsterdam may use these same curves in order to keep using platforms 1 and 2 at Brussels Midi without a reversal.

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

[50] (ERA 59B3) BE17/17

This route is used by trains between Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid and Gent-Sint-Pieters not calling at Denderleeuw. From Bru.-Petite-Ile / Bru.-Klein-Eiland to Y Sint-Katherina-Lombeek, all services use the new (outer) lines of the 4-track formation which are classified as line 50C. The original (inner) lines (classified as line 50A) are being lifted and the formation underneath dug out and replaced. The remainder of the line is still classified as line 50A.

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

[50] (ERA 59B3) BE17/18

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] (ERA 59B3) BE17/19

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 - 07:51 Denderleeuw - Gent St Pieters
SSuX P8972 16:49 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] (ERA 59B4) BE17/20

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

This flying junction is also used when engineering work blocks line 50 between Denderleeuw or Melle (less frequently) line 50A at the east end of Gent-Sint-Pieters station.

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

[50, 59] (ERA 59B4) BE17/21

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] (ERA 59A4) BE17/22

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] (ERA 58C5) BE17/23

This is a grade separated junction (line 50A/5) linking the Gent main line to the northern platforms at Brugge, in common with part of the Kortrijk line and allowing multiple simultaneous arrivals and departures to/from the Gent direction. This is likely to be used by services using the low numbered platforms at Brugge which include local services to and from Gent as well as some IC services e.g. those IC28xx that reverse at Brugge. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Saint-Ghislain — Ville-Pommeroeul via Ligne 78, Voie 1bis

[78] (ERA 59B1, not shown) BE17/24

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 the platforms at Saint-Ghislain shown below. As they are present at Saint-Ghislain almost simultaneously, it is possible that each train will use a different spur. The compilers would greatly appreciate receiving confirmation of the route taken by these trains. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


SSuX IC943 Namur - 22:54 Saint-Ghislain (platform 3) - Tournai
SSuX L4894 22:24 Tournai - Mons (via Saint-Ghislain platform 4)

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

[50] (ERA 62A1, not shown) BE17/25

This line, to the west of the main line, 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/line 50C) which use the lower numbered platforms at Midi. It is only available for trains from Brussels towards Gent. Some IC28xx services are known to do this on a daily basis except when delayed (e.g. IC2829 and IC2831) and it is likely that all IC28xx services towards Gent go that way.

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

[96] (ERA 62A1, not shown) BE17/26

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. The next entry (line 96A) provides another alternative.

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

[96] (ERA 62A1, not shown) BE17/27

This line, to the west of the main line, round the back of the yard at Forest/Vorst, provides an alternative route at the south end throat of Midi station for trains to and from Halle which use the lower numbered platforms at Midi. Part of the route is common with Line 50A1. There is a flying junction at the south end. The route is used by some IC37xx between Mons to Brussels Airport. IC3707 (07:20 Mons - Brussels Airport) has been seen on this route several times and often uses platform 3 at Brussels Midi, as do some later trains. In the other direction, IC3735 (14:30 Brussels Airport - Mons) has used this route at least once even though it is booked from platform 9 at Midi. The route is occasionally used by Eurostar and Thalys although the previous entry (via line 96N) is much more common.

Bracquegnies (Y La Paix) — La Louvière-Centre

[118] (ERA 59C2) BE17/28

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

D SSuX P7774 Manage - 06:56 La Louvière-Centre - Quévy
D SSuX P8775 Mons - 16:42 Bracquegnies - Manage

The curve has been used in the past when engineering work has closed line 96 between Braine-le-Comte and Mons.

Fleurus — Auvelais

[130, 140] (ERA 60A2-A1) BE17/29

This line has been used in the past (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. It is expected it may be used when the engineering work between Namur and Rhisnes on line 161 that started in September 2016 needs that line to be closed completely.

Jemeppe (Y Jemeppe-Froidmont) — Moustier

[130, 144] (ERA 60A2) BE17/30

This line has been used in the past (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. It is expected it may be used when the engineering work between Namur and Rhisnes on line 161 that started in September 2016 needs that line to be closed completely. The tunnel at Spy (Onoz) on line 144 has reportedly been singled to allow the use of this route with M6 double deck stock in preparation for these diversions.

Aubange SNCB (Y Aubange) — Rodange CFL

[165] (ERA 63A3 & 63B5) BE17/31

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

Trams

See Belgium - Tram services over obscure routes

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 Three 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

None

See also

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