| Belgium | |
|---|---|
 IR train in Noorderkempen Station | |
| Operation | |
| National railway | NMBS/SNCB |
| Infrastructure company | Infrabel |
| Major operators | Eurostar,SNCF,DB (passengers),Lineas,Crossrail,DB Cargo Belgium,SNCF Fret (freight) |
| Statistics | |
| Ridership | 244.6 million per year (2023)[1] |
| Passenger km | 10.441 billion per year (2023)[1] |
| Freight | 53.5 million tonnes per year (2023)[2] |
| System length | |
| Total | 3,733 kilometres (2,320 mi) (2022)[3] |
| Double track | 2,934 kilometres (1,823 mi) (2023)[4] |
| Electrified | 3,286 kilometres (2,042 mi) (2022)[3] |
| Track gauge | |
| Main | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| High-speed | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | |
| 3000 V DC | Main network |
| 25 kV AC | High-speed lines and recent electrification |
| Features | |
| No. stations | 555 (2023)[1] |
Rail transport in Belgium benefits from an extensiverail network. The country is a member of theInternational Union of Railways (UIC). TheUIC Country Code forBelgium is 88.
On May 5, 1835, the first railway incontinental Europe opened betweenBrussels-Groendreef/Allée verte andMechelen. Some sort of railroad orcanal had been envisaged as early as 1830. The feasibility of a railroad was investigated by engineers Pierre Simons and Gustave De Ridder. The first trains wereStephenson engines imported from Great Britain. The engines were calledPijl meaning Arrow,Olifant meaning Elephant, and 'Stephenson' (named after its designer). They pulled bench-cars and diligences. On the return from Mechelen, theOlifant pulled all 30 cars. By 1840,Ghent,Bruges,Ostend,Antwerp, Mechelen, Brussels andLeuven were connected. The lines that had to reachLiège,Mons andKortrijk were partially completed. In 1843, when the major East-West/North-South axes were complete, private companies were allowed to construct and use their own rail systems. These were crucial in the industrialisation of the country.
In 1870, the Belgian state owned 863 kilometres (536 mi) of rail lines, while the private enterprises owned 2,231 kilometres (1,386 mi). From 1870 to 1882, the railways were graduallynationalised. In 1912, 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi) were state property compared to 300 kilometres (190 mi) private lines. Full nationalisation was considered at the time but was not enacted until 1926, when theSNCB was started. It was named the SNCB (Société nationale des Chemins de Fer belges) or NMBS (Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische Spoorwegen), named in a similar way to the French rail network,SNCF, which was founded 12 years later. In 1958 the network was fully state-owned. On 5 May 1935 the SNCB started with electrification on the lineBrussels North toAntwerp Central, 44 kilometres (27 mi).
In 2003, the network constituted 3,518 kilometres (2,186 mi) of railways, all of which werestandard gauge:1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in). Of all of those railways, 2,631 kilometres (1,635 mi) were also electrified. Most electrified Belgian lines use a3 kV DC overhead power supply, but thehigh speed-lines are electrified at25 kV AC, as are recent electrifications in the south of the country (Rivage -Gouvy andDinant -Athus lines).
Trains in Belgium normally run on the left hand track.[5] This is in contrast to road vehicles, which drive on the right hand side of the road and is evidence of the British involvement in building the rail network in the 19th century.
The railway network is controlled and maintained byInfrabel.
Belgium operates a policy of cheap rail travel.[citation needed] Citizens in Belgium, especiallystudents andolder citizens, are offered incentives and cheaper fares in order to alleviate congestion on the nation's roads. Public sector employees are entitled to a free or heavily subsidised season ticket for commuting by rail. Many private sector employers will make a contribution to the cost of a season ticket.Smoking is prohibited in allrailway stations, and all tracks since January 2023 (enclosed and outside too[6]), andpassenger cars.
All adjacent countries use the same1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) instandard gauge.
Netherlands - different voltage 3 kV DC/1500 V DC. The change of voltage occurs south ofRoosendaal, and between the Dutch stations ofEijsden andMaastricht Randwijck; monovoltage 3 kV Belgian trains proceed under reduced power to the first large station past the border (Roosendaal orMaastricht). Border crossings are at:
Germany - different voltage 3 kV DC/15 kV AC. The change of voltage occurs inAachen station where there is a switchable track so that 3 kV monovoltage trains can reach Aachen. Change of voltage also on the Moresnet viaduct on the freight only line Visé - Montzen - Aachen West. Border crossings are at:
Luxembourg - different voltage 3 kV DC/25 kV AC. All Belgian lines going to the grand-duchy of Luxembourg use 25 kV 50 Hz long before the border so there is no voltage change.[7] Border crossings are at:
France - different voltage 3 kV DC/25 kV AC. The change of voltage occurs at the border, except for the high-speed line which is 25 kV throughout and as mentioned below. Border crossings are at:
United Kingdom - usingHSL 1,LGV Nord, theChannel Tunnel and theHigh Speed 1/Channel Tunnel Rail Link is 25 kV AC. All rail transport between Belgium and the UK transits through France.
Media related toRail transport in Belgium at Wikimedia Commons
Description of Belgian railways 1935
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