lars' transport worldI'm taking an ICE from Zurich and changing at Frankfurt. What does that mean? That's right, it was time for another 🇧🇪 #Belquick tour. The main aim was #Streckensammeln in Flanders, so I will only share a few impressions.
I always try to stay in a city I haven't been to before. This time, it was the Flemish city #Mechelen. 😍 I liked the old-town as well as the reorganised streets with much space for bikes and plants. #Belquick
Some P-trains are indispensable for #Streckensammeln. The P-train between Brussels and Sint-Niklaas uses the connecting curves in Melle and Gentbrugge and is the only train to do so. Today's train uses old rolling stock and the newer NMBS/SNCB Class 18 locomotive. For those interested in seeing my transit diagram showing all P-trains, here is the link: https://larstransportmaps.com/p-trains-in-belgium-2025/. #Belquick
However, there were problems with the train protection system on our P-train locomotive. After four emergency stops, the train continued to Lokeren at a speed of 50 km/h. We then had to change to another train. #Belquick
Apart from the P-trains, older coaches can be found on line IC01, which connects Eupen (one of two stations in the German-speaking region), Liège, Brussels and Ghent to Oostende. Usually, two I10 coaches are attached to the double-deckers. #Belquick
Speaking of #Oostende: This is the first time I have come here by train. It has a symbolic meaning for me as it was the terminus for many European trains until the 1990s. It used to be an important interchange for ferries to the UK.
And why is Oostende called Oostende? Well, it's located in the East on a former island. There is also a lesser-known Westende. #Belquick
And why is Oostende called Oostende? Well, it's located in the East on a former island. There is also a lesser-known Westende. #Belquick
Oostende is one of the destinations served by the Kustexpress, a very specific train category. These additional trains carry tourists to the Belgian coast in the summer. Unlike the P-trains, however, they are run with rather 'conventional' rolling stock. #Belquick
Of course, the Kustexpress trains should not be confused with the #Kusttram, which also departs from Oostende station. It connects all Belgian coastal towns. In summer, the tram's frequency is raised. For this purpose, trams from Antwerpen and Gent (on picture) help out. However, I am sure you already knew that! #Belquick
Even though the #Kusttram 's borrowed trams were in operation already, the summer timetable with increased frequency started only three days later. Because of the high number of passengers on that hot summer day, I hadn't a chance getting on my tram. #Belquick
The coastal town of Zeebrugge is served not only by the Kusttram, but also by two railway stations with L-train services. Why am I mentioning this? Because there are two terminus stations. From Monday to Friday, except during school holidays, Zeebrugge-Dorp station is served. At weekends and during school holidays, it is Zeebrugge-Strand that is served. However, the station is less picturesque than its name suggests. #Belquick
Out of context: NMBS MS80 (Break) EMU in Denderleeuw and Lokeren #Belquick
Because Mulhouse station was closed, I avoided my favourite route back to Switzerland and chose the route via Germany again. This time, I came across the "new" ICE interior design for the first time. I like it. 😊 #Belquick
I want to conclude #Belquick with the 🇨🇭 ICE situation: I am very glad to finally announce: "Zürich HB, Eindhalte" 🥳 This is my personal sensation after more than five unsusccessful attempts to reach Zurich from the north by an ICE in a row (change required at Basel SBB). We even had a twenty-minute delay, but the train continued to Zurich anyway. It even used the line via Birr-Mägenwil! Tot ziens et à bientôt!
number137@larstransportworld that SBB allowed to proceed to Zürich with 20m delay - usually this should result in some passive-aggressive "Wegen Verspätungen im Ausland..." 🙃
@number137 Yes, the announcement was "Grund dafür ist das Abwarten von Anschlusszügen in Deutschland" 😄
Tor Lillqvist@larstransportworld "Francfort Hb", though, ugh. What happened to the railway rule that station names are always displayed in their native languages? And "Hb" is not French.
波鉄 (Hatetsu)@tml @larstransportworld That's Belgium, you know there are more important language rules in Belgium /s
Midgard@HaTetsu @tml Yeah... Communication from the government is governed by language laws. SNCB/NMBS inherits some of that.
Language is one of the sensitive topics for some Belgians. In bilingual Brussels, NMBS/SNCB and the tram/bus company even have rules for which language to announce first. There are three major stations, so No(o)rd has Dutch-French, Midi/Zuid has French-Dutch, and to keep it balanced Centra(a)l *switches every year*. Yeah.
Jouw vraag over Brussel: wanneer hoor je welke taal in de Brusselse trein- en metrostations? | VRT NWS: nieuws
We wonen in een overwegend tweetalig land waarbij beide talen evenwaardig zijn. Zo dicteert de taalwetgeving het ons. Een perfecte tweetalige communicatie is dus onvermijdelijk bij diensten die door iedereen gebruikt worden, zoals het openbaar vervoer. Om geen van beide talen voor te trekken, zijn zowel de NMBS als de MIVB op zoek gegaan naar creatieve oplossingen.
The train that goes to Lille in France, is split in Kortrijk. Half of it goes to Lille, the other half goes to the middle of nowhere.
Obviously this is an interesting train for French people, but the train doesn't leave the Dutch-speaking region until after Kortrijk, so at no point is the train guard supposed to announce in French that the train is going to be split.
This would be kind of hilarious if not for the people ending up in the middle of nowhere and missing their connection in Lille.
Barend Köbben@larstransportworld
Uhm... Eupen is in the Ostkantons (german speaking), Gent in Vlaanderen (Vlaams speaking)....
Uhm... Eupen is in the Ostkantons (german speaking), Gent in Vlaanderen (Vlaams speaking)....
@barendkobben Of course! The brackets were misplaced. Thank you for the hint.