Belgium - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on the timetable period commencing 11 December 2011. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information.
Obscure services
Bruxelles/Brussel — Antwerpen via line 27
[25] (8B2-8B3) BE12/1
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 BE12/5 and BE12/6
- Hove - Y Liersesteenweg: services via BE12/5 and BE12/6
- Y Liersesteenweg - Y Drabstraat: see BE12/5
- Y Drabstraat - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 5 and 8: table 15 trains (except those via BE12/7), and table 25 trains via BE12/5
- Y Liersesteenweg - Y Krijgsbaan [line 27A]: see BE12/6
- Y Krijgsbaan - Antwerpen-Berchem platforms 1 and 4 [line 27A]: table 15 trains via BE12/7, and table 25 trains via BE12/6
{1} - these sections of line 27 are parallel and adjacent to line 25
Antwerpen-Noordderdokken - Antwerpen docks area
[12] (8B3) BE12/2
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-Oost
[12] (8B3) BE12/3
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 | P8215 | Antwerpen-Haven - 16:38 Antwerpen-Luchtbal - Aarschot |
Antwerpen-Berchem — Antwerpen-Zuid (Y West Berchem) via relief route
[52, 59] (8B3) BE12/4
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 was used by the following trains in 2011. The compilers would appreciate reports of whether this still applies in 2012.
| 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) BE12/5
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) BE12/6
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) BE12/7
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 was observed using this route in 2011 and the compilers would appreciate reports of whether this still applies in 2012:
| SSuX | P8215 | Antwerpen Hafen - 16:47 Antwerpen Berchem - Aarschot |
Lier (Y Lint) – Kontich
[12] (8B3) BE12/8
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 in order to be overtaken by a following service. The timetable suggests that this still applies in 2012 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) BE12/9
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, and are on quite separate alignments. It is used by IC Q services between Antwerpen and Leuven on weekdays.
Delta (Y Etterbeek) — Boondaal (Y Boondaal)
[26] (10B1) BE12/10
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 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) BE12/11
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 CR 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) BE12/12
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 - 07:26 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 |
Herent — Leuven via "fast" line viaduct
[36] (8B2) BE12/13
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 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) BE12/14
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) BE12/15
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. These services are largely confined to early Monday-Friday mornings as at these times services are half hourly and would otherwise conflict with other trains.
The following trains have been observed using the diveunder:
- departures from Leuven at 05:28 (L6455), 05:58 (L3056), 06:58 (L3057), 07:58 (L3058) and 08:58 (L3059). The 19:28 departure (L6469) is also believed to use the diveunder but this has not been verified.
- arrivals at Leuven at 06:32 (L6476), 07:32 (L6477) and 08:32 (L6478)
If any reader can confirm use by any other trains the compilers would be pleased to hear from them.
Leuven - Ans via high speed line
[36] (8B2-9B2) BE12/16
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) BE12/17
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) BE12/18
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) BE12/19
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 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.
Bockstael (Y Zennebrug) — Schaerbeek
[50] (10B2) BE12/20
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.
| SSuX | P7022 | Aalst - 07:39 Bockstael - Schaarbeek | |
| SSuX | P8022 | 17:32 Schaarbeek - Denderleeuw |
Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid (Y Sint-Katherina-Lombeek) — Gent (Y Welle) ("new" main line between Bruxelles/Brussel and Gent)
[50] (8A2) BE12/21
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) BE12/22
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) BE12/23
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 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) BE12/24
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 - 08:08 Melle - Schaarbeek |
Merelbeke (Y Oost Ledeberg) - Gent-Dampoort (Y Noord Ledeberg, Blok 29)
[50, 59] (8A2) BE12/25
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 - 18:25 Merelbeke - Sint-Niklaas | |
| SSuX | P7010 | Sint-Niklaas - 07:59 Gentbrugge - Schaarbeek |
Gent-Sint-Pieters — Drongen (Y Snepbrug)
[50a] (7B2) BE12/26
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 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) BE12/27
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. 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.
Saint-Ghislain — Ville-Pommeroeul (relief passenger line)
[78] (8A1) BE12/28
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. The following train is booked to use platform 4 at Saint-Ghislain so is likely to use this route:
| D | WFO | P7564 | Tournai - 13:06 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 in order to identify any other services the compilers would be very pleased to hear from them.
Antoing LGV spur: Y Maubray — Y Antoing
[118] (7B1) BE12/29
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 | ||
| THA9487 | 19:43 Paris Nord - Liège-Guillemins |
Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid — Liedekerke (Y Petite Ile/Klein Eiland) via line 50A/1
[50] (10B1) BE12/30
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 as being used by some trains on line IC K (Gent - Genk). Examination of the timetable shows that most eastbound trains are allowed 17 minutes between Liedekerke and Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid. A few others, possible candidates for this route, are allowed 18 minutes. All westbound trains seem to be allowed 15 minutes. Any definite reports of this routing would be welcomed by the compilers.
Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid — Forest-Midi/Vorst-Zuid (Y Petite Ile/Klein Eiland) via line 96A
[96] (10B1) BE12/31
This line, to the west of the main line and Forest/Vorst carriage sidings and loco depot, provides an alternative route to avoid conflicting movements at the south end throat of Midi station for trains using the lower numbered platforms there. At Forest/Vorst, the southbound line passes over a flyover (the saut de mouton de Forest), rejoining the main line at Y Ruisbroek.
It was formerly used by all Eurostar, Thalys and TGV services. It is thought that all use ceased upon completion of the saut de mouton du Midi (BE12/32) but the compilers would welcome information about any use of this line.
Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid — Forest-Midi/Vorst-Zuid via line 96N
[96] (10B1, not shown) BE12/32
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) BE12/33
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] BE12/34
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] BE12/35
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 but Zeebrugge Strand at weekends. |
| 52 | [Antwerpen-Centraal -] Antwerpen-Zuid - Puurs: No service at weekends. |
| 82 | Aalst - Burst: No service at weekends. |
| 96 | Mons - Quévy: No service at weekends. |
| 108 | Manage - Familleureux: No service at weekends. |
| 130a | Erquelinnes - Jeumont (France): 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 - Rodange (Luxembourg): No service at weekends. |
| 165 | Arlon - Athus: No service at weekends; Athus - Rodange has CFL trains at weekends. |
Deletions since previous edition
| BE11/18B | Simonis (Y Pannenhuis) — Bockstael (Y Laken): train reverted to starting from Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid |
