More than 6,000 people visited a special historic train at Schaerbeek / Schaarbeek station this weekend as part of celebrations marking the centenary of Belgium’s national railway company, NMBS / SNCB.
The nearly 300-metre-long train brought together 11 iconic locomotives and carriages from different periods of Belgian railway history. It is now travelling to two other major stations, with stops planned at Liège-Guillemins and Antwerp-Central.
The exhibition is part of NMBS / SNCB’s programme marking 100 years since the company was established on 23 July 1926. It brings together railway heritage from the 1930s through to the present day, including historic locomotives, royal carriages and modern M7 double-deck coaches.
From royal carriages to electric locomotives
Among the highlights are two royal carriages dating from 1939. The steel luxury coaches, featuring art deco interiors, were specially designed for the Belgian royal family and were used by King Leopold III and King Baudouin.
Visitors can also see locomotive 101.012, which became the first electric locomotive to operate on Belgium’s railway network in the late 1940s.
Many visitors combined their visit to the historic train with a trip to Train World, NMBS / SNCB’s railway museum in Schaerbeek / Schaarbeek. The museum is also hosting an exhibition of dozens of model railway layouts created by model railway enthusiasts and specialist clubs from across Belgium.
Two more stops for the historic train
Those who missed the train in Schaerbeek will have two further opportunities to see it.
The exhibition will be at Liège-Guillemins on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, before moving to Antwerp-Central on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October.
The train will be open to visitors free of charge from 10:00 to 17:00 on both days, with no reservation required.
The Antwerp stop will feature an additional piece of railway history: steam locomotive 1.002, one of the most powerful locomotives operated by NMBS / SNCB during the 20th century.
NMBS / SNCB marks a century of rail travel
The historic train is one of the centrepieces of NMBS / SNCB’s centenary celebrations under the slogan ‘100 years. The journey continues’.
NMBS / SNCB was founded on 23 July 1926. During its centenary year, the company is looking back at a century of Belgian railway history while also highlighting the future role of rail in sustainable mobility.
The anniversary programme has already included initiatives thanking passengers, a special series of postage stamps and an art competition for students.
Further events are planned in the coming months. A new exhibition, ‘Fashion & Trains, from 1835 to today’, opens at Train World on 18 September. On Sunday 4 October, NMBS / SNCB will open its central workshops in Mechelen and Salzinnes to the public as part of Belgium’s Open Companies Day.
The centenary programme will also include special DJ sets at Liège-Guillemins on 4 September, Antwerp-Central on 12 November, and Brussels-North and Brussels-Central on 20 November.
More information about the centenary programme is available on the NMBS / SNCB website.
Heritage and other special trams and trains in Belgium
- BELGIUM | Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo steam railway announces packed autumn programme ft Lego.
- 100 YEARS OF NMBS / SNCB | Centenary train visits Schaerbeek (29–30 August), Liège (12–13 September) and Antwerp (10–11 October).
- Aachen Christmas Market Trains from Vilvoorde / Antwerp / Lier / Hasselt and Braine-le-Comte / Mons / Charleroi-Central / Namur on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December 2025.
- Pride Express links Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp to WorldPride Amsterdam on 1 and 2 August 2026.
- BELGIUM | Rollout of The Rolling Tables dinner train experience delayed.
- The Rolling Tables dinner train experience in Belgium from 1 August 2025 and in the Netherlands from 1 November 2025.
- BELGIUM | Le Chemin de Fer du Bocq heritage railway reopens on 14 June 2025.
- BELGIUM | Fête du Rail at Rétrotrain, Saint-Ghislain.
- BELGIUM | Dendermonde – Puurs Steam Railway.
- PHOTOS | AM66 ‘Klassiekje’ / ‘Classique’ Farewell Ride at Antwerp-Central Railway Station.
- Farewell to the NMBS / SNCB AM66 ‘Klassiekje’ or ‘Classique’.
- Plans for a steam train heritage service between Brussels and Mechelen shelved.
- RIDE & DINE | Orient Dining Express by Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo.
- RIDE & DINE | Brussels Tram Experience.
- Riding the Kersttram or Christmas Tram in Antwerp.
