Belgium's strange but decent intercity train!

[@steazymccheesy2649]

Why am i even watching this i've taken these trains like a 1000 times 😅

[@SuperChausette]

Pareil

[@urbanixplanning]

Because he called our trains "strange" and we wanted to know why :p

[@kazibwerashid4627]

Hhhh ik ook😂😂

[@starguy8809]

me too

[@terrencelukas1035]

I guess I am kinda randomly asking but do anybody know of a good site to stream new movies online?

[@sean2209]

I’m a train driver for NMBS. The front doors are being kept closed as a COVID measure at the moment to assist in quicker disinfecting of trains. When the COVID crisis is over the front doors will be open again and you will be able to move between the different MS/AM’s :)

[@Quark0611]

Oh, dat wist ik niet.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks for the info! I hadn't really considered covid had anything to do with it bit that makes perfect sense 😁

[@wharris302]

It doesn't look like it has a front door, i am surprised you can walk through the front of those

[@sean2209]

@@wharris302 Yes, the driving cabine can be folded to the side so that it becomes a passage held together by the black seals at the front

[@5mnz7fg]

Since you are a train driver for NMBS do you know wether NMBS/SNCB reaches out to destinations in neighboring countries?

[@kristofkellens3264]

There is a power outlet on the end of each wagon on your left side just higher than the lugage racks

[@ramifaes6161]

Haha een kenner

[@kristofkellens3264]

@@ramifaes6161 :) treinbegeleider , dat helpt ook voor die plaatsjes te kennen

[@kenjigamesnet]

Hey are you family of me? Im Kenji Kellens

[@kristofkellens3264]

@@kenjigamesnet i honestly don't know but i'm guessing we're not

[@urbanixplanning]

@@kristofkellens3264 Power drops when the train is standing still though!

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Note to trademark designers - SNCB/NMBS's "B" trademark is possibly the most beautiful and clearest in the world. And it's been around since 1936.

[@chauvemaischouette]

It was designed by Henry Van De Velde, one of the pioneers in belgian Art Nouveau

[@uncinarynin]

Right, one of the oldest rail logos in use. Probably together with the Union Pacific shield in the USA.

[@GrasshopperWithoutGrass]

*B*

[@gfleurbaey13]

As someone who used to commute daily between Bruges and Ghent, and still does weekly, I'm quite fond of the Belgian train system. People often complain our trains run late but I find that's almost only the case on friday evenings. With trains going between Bruges and Ghent every 20 or so minutes and the trip only taking 26, commuting is a breeze. Sure the trains are basic but I really don't need anything more, especially considering I can buy 10-trip tickets between Bruges and Ghent for only €10 as a student. When I commuted daily my subscription was even cheaper. Trains in Belgium in general are meant primarily for commuting, not travelling (except for high-speed trains). I would definitely recommend making full use of the train system to anyone staying in Belgium. Especially for people younger than 26, who can buy a 10-trip ticket to any destination in Belgium for only €52

[@fjellyo3261]

Yeah Belgium is a little too small for real high-speed trains. Here in Germany high so make more sense, but I wish we would have more routes for 250+km/h.

[@Chloe-ch6mc]

The SNCB/NMBS sees their job as to take people from point A to point B as efficiency and cost effective as possible. The airport ticket was fairly expensive but it is always like that. There are definitely cheaper tickets but it's hard to find them on the ticket machines. The only trains who have catering are high speed trains in Belgium, not even the cross border trains have catering. Overall though the train you took is one of the better ones in the fleet of SNCB in my opinion

[@tim.bird.london]

Hi Dylan, the map orientation at the beginning is a great idea, helps to set the scene for those who many not be famaliar with the route. As always, up to your usual high consistent standard.

[@MrSvenovitch]

He should've added the Indiana Jones music ;-)

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😀

[@Tina-qp7py]

The map was great! Just what we needed.

[@Scott-Ferguson]

I agree. Love the inclusion of the map and route. 👍

[@roundandroundmyworld]

Hope you give a bit more footage around Liège-Guillemins another time -- that station is incredible!

[@joermnyc]

Is that a Calatrava design? Looks like the WTC Oculus we have here with the white paint, large open space, and lots of steel arches.

[@tonguepiercing]

@@joermnyc yes it is a real Calatrava, including being over budget !

[@joermnyc]

@@tonguepiercing yep, the Oculus had that problem too. He also designed the replacement for a little Greek orthodox church that was destroyed by the falling wtc... That also went way over budget! Whomever does the cost estimates for Calatrava designs must be living in an alternate reality.

[@starguy8809]

Antwerp-Central looks cool too.

[@kauemoura]

I work on the trains and yet here I am watching trains on youtube. As for the small spaces for bags, I guess that's because all trains in Belgium are actually used for commuting, the longest train ride in the country "Eupen-Ostend" takes three hours, so trains are sometimes seen a bit like a faster kind of bus, I'd say. And a regular ticket between Charleroi and Liège would have been 14,3, I think the extra price is because of the airport shuttle service.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Nice! Tends to be the case with airport tickets. Our airports charge quite large amounts of money to tourists who are none the wiser for express services when they could get the regular train for a fraction of the price and only takes slightly longer.

[@tonguepiercing]

Belgium has a relatively large train offer, with decent mean speeds, and subsidised tickets. But almost all trains are basic. Smaller stations also have very little services. When in Liege station, try not just to go under the tracks, but also walk over them via the 2 bridges, and enjoy the architecture ! I live in Belgium (Liege) and I’m always available to guide you around our railsystem.

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

Looking good, Dylan. Nice to see you have maps now.

[@michaausleipzig]

Yeah, really cool feature! 😊

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you like it 😁

[@MrToroeagle]

I love you Belgium, this country gives me the air to living and I'm gonna protect it all my life this Country , Love you Belgium 👐🇧🇪✌️

[@starguy8809]

belgium is a weird country , but also a cool one.

[@Kristoffceyssens]

Dude, do you even know belgium xD Its a joke!

[@kennyclauw9713]

@@Kristoffceyssens a joke?why the fuck then, im a belgian as well , just like you i think but a joke ,that hurts my eyes to read

[@Martindyna]

Belgium ..... beautiful architecture, great food, beer, chocolate and friendly people. Only in Belgium have people asked if I needed any help when i had stopped to look at my tourist map. Also with no sexual hangups (I rememenbr the ladies in red lit windows when I looked down from the train approaching Brussels-Nord if i remember correctly roughly 10 years ago admittedly).

[@MrToroeagle]

@@Martindyna that's true, I love this country even somebody speaks bad I always gonna love because I live there and this country help me a lot and I'm gonna help this country all my life ☕🍹🥂

[@EuLawAsEasyAsItCouldBe]

Nice video! I take this train two times a week. You should have taken a “Youth Ticket 1”, this is a ticket for people under 26 years. It is 6,60 euros for any single trip to any station in Belgium, whatever the distance (excluding the bus from Charleroi Airport).

[@DylansTravelReports]

Ah I didn't realise there was a youth ticket. Then again, I bought my ticket at the airport so I probably wouldn't have been offered it. Thanks for the info.

[@GoogleGebruiker]

@@DylansTravelReports all ticket machines offer it

[@MrSvenovitch]

1) There are power sockets in ceiling above the seats closest to the platform doors (for cleaning apparatus & such but will also work for charging of course). 2) It's not because something is closed that it is locked, so how could you know you couldn't pass when you don't even go into the small compartment? The seats in there are just the same as all the rest in second class btw. 3) First class is 1/3 of the entire train which is way too much. They should make 1/3 of the 1st class carriage second class so ppl have room to sit in rush hour. 4) Ppl complaining about the 'dirty' wash basin: this is not dirt. These things are close to 25 years old and need refurbishing, it's just wear & tear on the material it's made of. 5) Before Namur, the river is actually the Sambre, which is a tributary of the Meuse. 6) This is one of our best intercity trains (AM96). A lot of them are now actually run with those damn afwul Siemend Desiro's. Even on the Liège-Luxembourg connection, which is close to 3 hours and like riding a tram all the way, even in first class! Used to have very good I10 rolling stock on it but then someone decided otherwise. Probably people who never take a train. I hope they get a painful ailment. Best wishes for you though.

[@riccardoattilia8219]

Desiros are good for commuting but man an intercity it's just not right! I went from brussels to dinant with a desiro train and on the way back I had to buy 1st class since the seats are way more comfortable. The AM96s are definitely the best together with the m6

[@DylansTravelReports]

The walkways were sealed off. I could see through and there was no gang way. Also an SNCB driver confirmed this was a temporary covid measure.

[@rer161]

​@@DylansTravelReports Lot of years i can't switch from one EMU 96 to another EMU 96 and there wasn't coronavirus. I will look the next time i travel in a EMU 96.

[@rer161]

@Sven Every 7-8 years the trains gone in revision in Malines/Mechelen and is clean when he exit of the workshop of Malines/Mechelen.

[@rer161]

@@riccardoattilia8219 Classic EMU his more comfy that Desiro also on commuter services and L train who can take the travellers of one IC train who is delayed or cancelled. The EMU 86 also build for commuter services is more comfy that the Desiro.

[@1336mg]

About the bathrooms. People make the mess, not the railway companies. When I worked as a trainmanager on Thalys. I was amazed what people could do. In Amsterdam the bathrooms were clean, 15 minutes later at Schiphol Airport, I would think: what happened here? Water and toiletpaper all over the place! Some people are pigs. And about the smell, there is a container under the train as storage. Its not allowed emptying while riding. So when this system is not airtight, like in an ICE for instance, it always will smell, no doubt.

[@garysumnall722]

Another top vid, I love how simple they are with no stupid arty type shots or horrible loud music, I don’t have the best eyesight so the writing on the screen with clear bold text and that it stays on fit a good length of time is perfect. This is how vlogs should be, about the topic not the individual. Well done Dylan 👍👍👍

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@webrarian]

Hard to compare with the UK as the countries are such different sizes. But my experience in Belgium has been that the track is smoother and the electric trains are much quieter. And I love the way the automatic announcements change languages as you go from Flanders to Brussels to Wallonia.

[@SeverityOne]

It would be even lovelier if they just used both languages, but then you'd still have to give one language preference depending on where you are. It's the one thing that struck me when I took a train from the Netherlands to Paris in 1989, that the order of Dutch and French swapped as soon as you arrived at Brussels Central. Language is a touchy subject in Belgium, and as per usual, it's all Napoleon's fault.

[@mkilias2341]

Love the UK trains

[@RealJustinCrow]

The map plays dude, whatever you used worked!

[@VikalpGautam]

Wow that canopy is really awesome....can visit the station just to witness this majestic architecture

[@1970jel]

Designed by Calatrava, who also designed the modern part of the city of Valencia in Spain.

[@iankemp1131]

@@1970jel Indeed, both are striking and well worth seeing. Coincidentally I visited both cities in 2017 and 2018 for drying conferences and saw the resemblance.

[@benjaminvanlitsenburg9208]

Nice video, but what you gotta know: The Belgian National Train has 2 parts: One for Flanders(NMBS) and one for Wallonia(SNCB). It's actually kinda same. But there can be quality differences. Tip: when you're back in Belgium: take a ride on the IC driving from Ostend(west) to Eupen(east). You have really nice components with wooden tabels, screens across the train with info, also in the 2nd class. Just make sure you are on one of the Dubbel-Decker components. You have different stops like Brugges, Ghent, Brussels, Liege, Verviers... Ghent Sint-Pieters has a nice main place with beautiful wall decorations btw.

[@Frahamen]

No, they don't. It's the same company, just the name is translated.

[@SeverityOne]

The national railways is one of the few things still done at a federal level. So there are no two parts. Fun fact: the Flemish nationalists have been arguing very hard to get the so-called "Iron Rhine" reactivated. This is a railway that links the harbour of Antwerp with the German Ruhrgebiet. It was part of the partition treaty between the Netherlands and Belgium, where Belgium would get a connection to this very important German industrial area. They chose a railway, which crosses from the Belgium province of Limburg into the Dutch province of Limburg. (The province was split with the 1839 treaty, even though most of it had de facto been part of Belgium since 1830.) During WW2, when both Belgium and the Netherlands were occupied, there were trains over that line that went as far as East Prussia. But after the war, during which the quadruple railway bridge in Weert (NL) was destroyed, and the line became single track (even though it had been built as double track right from the beginning), its use declined and eventually stopped almost entirely. Crucially, though, the line was never officially closed, even though it has been proposed at various times by both the Belgians and the Dutch. Nowadays, there is a more-or-less active line between Hamont (BE) and Weert (NL), there's the fairly busy bit between Weert and Roermond, and then there's a bit that goes through a fragile nature park into Germany. It's the latter part of the line that is no longer in use, and in fact no train can run there without some serious track work. Now, why is all of this relevant? And what do Flemish nationalists have to do with all this? As I mentioned, the railways are one of the few things done at a federal level. In order to achieve the goal of Flemish independence, the railways would have to be split between Flanders and Wallonia. But there is a big problem: while there exists a high-capacity railway line between Antwerp and Germany, this travels through Wallonia, the so-called Montzen Route. In fact, this line was built by the Germans during WW1, because the Iron Rhine between occupied Belgium and the neutral Netherlands could no longer be used. And there were some bad feelings from Belgium towards the Netherlands after WW1, so they were quite happy to use this alternative route, where they wouldn't have to deal with Dutch customs. This contributed to the decline of the Iron Rhine. Anyway, the Belgians wanted to reactivate the line, the Dutch resisted because of the hamsters in the nature reserve (and perhaps because it would mean increased competition for the harbour of Rotterdam, who knows), and the case went to arbitration. The court of arbitration ruled that the Belgians were right to want to reactivate the line, but there would have to be a tunnel under the nature reserve, the cost of which would be shared between the Netherlands and Belgium. Since then, it has become very quiet around this line. And truth be told, the idea was insane to begin with. The Belgians (or should I say, Flemish) wanted to run 90 freight trains a day on this line. Considering that the track between Weert and Roermond typically sees two passenger trains per hour in each direction, and perhaps a handful of freight trains a day, this would mean a massive impact on those living near the railway. But while the railway runs mostly on an embankment in Weert, and doesn't really go through built-up areas, it runs through several towns in Flanders. At street level. Can you imagine having 90 freight trains run through these Flemish towns, at street level, 24 hours a day? That's why the plan is insane. It's an example of cutting your nose to spite your face.

[@markclayton626]

Great vid, felt like I was doing the journey myself, thanks for your time and for sharing. 👍

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@ganymedes1985]

I vaguely remember it being a thing when these AM/MS96 cars were new (so late 90s, early 2000s), that a catering trolley squeezed itself through the seats offering a basic selection of sandwiches, sweets and drinks, but it only lasted a few short years. These days the holding responsible for the stations (which I think is different from the company responsible for the trains?) focuses heavily on leasing to shops and a variety of food chains for lease revenue and allowing people to buy something to eat/drink on the train. The larger and busier the station, the more options available. Antwerp Central and Brussels South practically have medium-size malls within the station building that attrack people not travelling by train or other transport as well.

[@stevecooksley]

Liège-Guillemins is stunning - it's so important to have the feeling of space and light at major transport hubs (cough, Euston).

[@MrAronymous]

You didn't even have to mention the build year, the teal and coral interior said it all, lol.

[@TheMateriaalkunde]

The MS/AMs are reputedly inspred by the Danish railways, that applied such couplings of their emu's and dmu's earlier. Lovely to see the approach of Liege again, after more than 50 years when that area along the river was still packed with heavy steel works. It's cleaning up time there too.

Indeed, Bombardier bought a licence for the danish patent on this solution. One of the nicknames of these EMU"s are "Danish noses". That being said, these sets are extremely reliable meanwhile they date back to the 90ies. Technical stuff, traction power, bogies, ... are top class. The design was kind of avant-garde, it still looks decently actual. Everything is pretty solid in these trains, no money has been spared on any detail.

[@JoeyBatman888]

Another excellent video! I’ve stayed in Liege a couple of times,not a bad place. Like watching your videos,very informative and no music! I think they are ruined if music is played all the time.but you give us a sense that we are travelling with you with the sights and sounds. Keep up the good work!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Will do 😁

[@Mrtribru69]

I take this type of train regularly , mostly Oostende - Brussels, sometimes Antwerpen. I find it a comfortable train, easy to go from one coach car to the other. Toilets are genrally ok. But I have see filthy ones as well. Just a matter of civic sense among passengers.

[@shelaghjackson9577]

I love going by train in Europe. Thanks for all the good detail in your videos!

[@nah_144]

I love it! It very nice to see the implementation of a Map showing your route.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@d947]

I love this type of train. The 2-hour long trips between Antwerp and Ostend were so long as a child, but so nice in these trains

[@JISJ1964]

This film was well worth waiting for, thanks a lot! When arriving at Brussels Airport, ask for a train ticket to Brussels Center and you´ll be allowed to travel to any station in the city-center, if you ask for a specific station it might have a "sibling" in names in the countryside and the ticket goes there instead. Interesting for a Swede like me that you passed through Namur, we had a Queen, Blanche from there in the early 13hundreds who had the famous St. Bridget of Sweden as a lady in waiting. A friend of mine who worked as a sales person for SJ here in Sweden went to both NS and NMBS to get to know them and came to ask where they had their rooms for staff to stay overnight and got the answer that: Our lines are normally so short so the staff can get home every day, it´s only for international trains that we have overnight rooms provided.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks for the info 😁

[@kauemoura]

If a person buys a ticket to Brussels from the airport, their ticket will automatically say "Zone Brussel/Bruxelles", so they can use that same ticket to do unlimited trips between the different train stations within brussels for that day. :)

[@JISJ1964]

@@kauemoura When I first arrived in Brussels by air and went down to the station at Zaventem I asked for a ticket to Brussels Keapellekerk but got one to Kapellen instead that´s why I say as I do.

[@gerdpapenburg7050]

The airport ticket for €20.30 is a ripp-off. The better option would have been: - get a TEC bus ticket (1-2 zones) for €2.50 - get your SNCB standard ticket (normal fare) for €14.30

[@rer161]

No, between Charleroi railway station and the Charleroi Airport it's a specific ticket at 6 euros by traject, not a classic ticket at 2,50 hors 3, 50 €. www.letec.be/#/View/Relier_laeroport_de_Brussels_South_Charleroi/989

[@stevecooksley]

In the UK they would charge €20.30 just for the bus shuttle!

[@kennyclauw9713]

the way you would go cost 16eu.80 to so if 3.50eu is a rip off for you and its a direct way well, then i dont follow you :D

[@judithcatlett8518]

Bravo and congratulations on putting up a map of your journey. Next step. Introduce us to a friend.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@33efosnavajos]

MS96 train units can couple togheter. You can pass it because the drivers cabine is able to move so you can pass between units.

[@sjokomelk]

The Class 96 is based on the Danish IC3/IR4 train. They were made by Bombardier, but the design is from the Danish train manufacturer Scandia (before they were bought by Bombardier). In Denmark they run both electric and diesel versions together in the same train. Three trains going different places are connected together on the shared stretch of track, and then they disconnect, while still moving, before coming to the station where they would split up and go different directions.

[@wasmic5z]

And there was a time where they would have trains with five units, each unit having a different destination. One splitting off in Fredericia or Vejle and heading to Thisted via Herning, the remaining four heading to Aarhus, where one would stop, one would go to Struer, and the remaining two would go to Aalborg, where another one would stop and one would continue to Frederikshavn. And then they did the same in reverse when going the other way, too. While they still run up to five units coupled together, for a total of 17 cars, they only have at most three destinations nowadays, as you said.

[@steveschmitt2849]

Thanks for sharing. Dylan, the weather was great for that trip. Stay safe 😷.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks, will do!

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you for a very good review ! You sum up the condition of SNCB trains to perfection, for they are afflicted by dreadful graffitti both inside and outside their trains. They really should try harder to remove it, for some of the double deck stock on services between Bruxelles and Antwerp is horrible. It was nice to see the arriving Thalys TGV from Koln too at Liege !

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@kennyclauw9713]

ey dude i as a belgian can say there are sometimes very high quality graffitti on the usual gray coloured trains more then often to so :D seriously

[@kennyclauw9713]

but i think your the kind of person that would remove those to so fuck you actually

[@Ksandur]

As a frequent traveler on the Belgian train network, I think the AM96 is one of NMBS's best train sets! The new Desiro MS08, is a real step down compared to sets like these. I am lucky to ride the HSL4 line every day, run by the NS with a B186/Traxx set + and ICR cars. If you are in the Benelux, I personally think the most comfortable trainsets are the M7, the AM96, VIRM and BR186/ICR!

[@DylansTravelReports]

It's sad as newer trains tend to be a downgrade in terms of comfort these days.

[@lotrgirl]

true, especially since it is being used on longer routes, i mean , those desiro's are fine for the short routes. But Antwerp-Oostende in a desiro really isn't ideal. Plus there is no space to work at all, When i commuted between my 'kot' in louvain-la-neuve and my home in flanders I was always hoping for no desiros, would even take a different train to avoid them because they meant i could get nothing done in those 3 hours.

[@rikpeeters]

I work on the software on the front door mechanism, it is truly remarkable, if 2 trains are connected, the hole control post move to the side to let passengers trew.

[@kepc9083]

Seemed like the service fit the price, though cleaner restrooms would be nice. It certainly was a lovely day for travel. And yes, views of that tranquil river definitely augmented the pleasure of the trip. Fantastic canopy at your destination station! Thanks, Dylan. 🍂🌾

[@jmsmilfajt]

Nice trip report! It reminded me of a similar journey in our country - Ústí (n.L.), Lysá (n.L.). There are many similarities - 120 km/h max speed, about the same distance, time and landscape with thermal plant and a river. 😀

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@robertcase1435]

I LOVE the addition of the map! So cool!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you like it 😁

[@girlgirl4548]

Charleroi is "Brussels South"? That surely must be what Ryanair calls it? From Charleroi to Brussels itself must just about double journey time. A bit like Ryanair's "Frankfurt Hahn Airport". Ryanair should be done under the Trade Descriptions Act.

[@heavenbxl9126]

Well Charleroi airport has a big sign infront of the terminal which says "brussels south"

[@DylansTravelReports]

Yes the airport is called Brussels South Charleroi Airport but it's not really anywhere near Brussls and is more like calling Southend Airport a London Airport.

[@heavenbxl9126]

@@DylansTravelReports charleroi airport is literally a 40 mins drive from brussels tho

[@CarlD08]

While tickets in Belgium are mostly walk-up and you can technically catch any train, I've found the train conductors there to be a bit funny about doing journeys involving a train change where there is a direct route available. For example, I did a journey from Brugge to Brussels Zuid/Midi, the direct route is via Gent with no change, but the first train available was to Antwerpen and it worked out slightly quicker to travel there and then catch the first available train to Brussels. I would have had to wait some time for the next direct train. Whilst onboard the Brugge - Antwerpen train, the conductor almost interrogated me about why I was travelling to Antwerpen to get to Brussels. After explaining that I could get to Brussels earlier via there than waiting for the direct train, he relunctantly said ok but I should have waited for the direct service. Even though that would have got me to Brussels much later. Oh well.

[@MrSvenovitch]

That's nonsense, she was wrong and you were right. I work for them too so I know.

[@CarlD08]

@@MrSvenovitch Thanks for clearing that up! I thought I was right and perfectly ok to do so. Perhaps I just caught them on a bad day.

[@trainspotterXL]

@@CarlD08 Unfortunately, you could have been wrong and he was right. You could have taken the Brugge-Antwerpen train up until Ghent and could have changed over there. Tickets prices here in Belgium are based on distance, so you pay for the shortest distance. E.g. Brugge-Gent-Brussels via the direct line 50A. One-way: €14,30. The only correct way to travel to Brussels via Antwerpen would have been the purchase of two seperate tickets: Brugge-Antwerpen and Antwerpen-Brussels. This way you would have covered both distances being Brugge-Antwerpen: €15 + Antwerpen-Brussels: €7,50 = €22,50 instead of €14,30. Please do explain how it could have been faster via Antwerp? In theory it’s correct you can deviate from the shortest distance connection IF it has indeed a shorter arrival time AND you’ll take the first possible connection without a stopover. But Brugge-Brussels faster via Antwerpen? Was there some track maintenance of some sorts? Brugge-Brussels normally takes around 60 min direct. I understand why my colleague was interrogating you, he could have given you a fine for travelling outside your ticket distance boundary. You were lucky! Did you use our app to check train times? Kind regards!

[@CarlD08]

@@trainspotterXL Well I'll let you argue that one with Sven who says he works for them and I was right.

[@iankemp1131]

@@trainspotterXL This all sounds like the way it used to be on British Rail where they charged you extra for taking a slightly longer route distance-wise even if it was quicker. That seems to have relaxed significantly since privatisation, especially if you have a full fare ticket.

[@rodineisilveira]

Very cool! Alias, I've had a delightful sensation of being traveling by train in Europe. Seeing the videos the AVE (Spanish high-speed train) from Renfe (route Madrid x Barcelona [until Zaragoza-Delícias]), of the Portuguese double-decker suburban train from Fertagus (passing by the 25 de Abril bridge), of the Portuguese suburban trains from Comboios de Portugal/CP (Porto metropolitan area), of the Portuguese intercity train from CP (route Guimarães x Lisbon-Santa Apolônia), of the Portuguese regional train (electrical triple unit) from CP (route Coimbra x Entroncamento), of the Portuguese regional train (metrical-gauged Diesel double unit) from CP (Vouga route), and now on this one of the Belgian intercity train (electrical multiple unit) from SNCB (route Charleroi x Liège-Guillemin).

[@davidvandenbergh6795]

Make sure to next time visit Antwerp and its train station too. Maybe the most impressive in the world! :) And pro tip: I dont know how old you are but under 26 your train ticket costs €6 to any destination in Belgium !

[@DylansTravelReports]

Ah I've heard Antwerp Centraal is very nice! Thanks for the info regarding tickets as I didn't know that when I travelled.

[@Bluesky-sn2po]

@@DylansTravelReports The "go pass" (a card with 10 rides from and to everywhere in the country) or "go pass one (same but only one ride) are for the people under 26 years old and are quite cheap (between 5 and 7€ per ride). For the 26+, there is the "rail pass" (a card with 10 rides and the same conditions, between 8 to 9€ per ride).

[@arwelp]

Those are impressive platform canopies at Liege - I think the last time I passed through there on a train was sometime in the 80s or 90s, and the station didn’t look like that then!

[@misscroupette9777]

Oh my god. Did I just discover an entire thing about trains on KZbin ? It must have been suggested to me because I'm from Belgium but still, I had no idea all of this was a thing ! That's incredible !!!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Glad you found us 😁

[@SweetUniverse]

It's so nice to see Aout again. Here in northern MN it's cold & gray today with a visciously icy wind coming down on us. All the trees are brown, and the sky is gray ....

[@michaelformaini7053]

Good all round presentation Dylan. The map view is a brilliant add on for those unfamiliar with the country/region covered. You're getting better with experience. I agree with the comments made by others concerning the toilet facilities. It seems they are becoming grotty only as a result of use and natural wear and tear of the 90's materials. The passenger saloon interiors appear pleasant for this viewer. I believe the Danish were the first users of this type of unit and I think Israel has some too. Keep up the good work and I look forward to next week's presentation. Stay safe. Cheers from Michael.

[@Tina-qp7py]

The word "grotty" is a new one for me but 2 of you have used it here. I've never heard it in the USA, but we speak a different dialect!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@rachelehrenberg9231]

Dylan, lad...you are very generous. As a Swiss used to SBB trains that 2nd class car was disgusting. Excellent work on your part.

[@jorisvanhandenhove5865]

if you want to do another Belgian railway trip report you can try and take an M7 an I11 (is a lot of the same compared to the class 96) in the same consist they travel mostly from Eupen - Liege - Ostend/Ghent. you can do 2 trip reports in 1!!!

[@missgfaulkner]

loving the map addition!!

[@gabrielstravels]

Been on these a couple of times in 2009 between Brussels, Ghent and Bruges. Got to say they are quite nice and comfortable!

[@mercedesvillena1721]

The trains in Wallonia (french side of Belgium) can and are different than the ones used in Flanders (dutch side). Usually the trains from Wallonia are older and dirtier while the ones in Flanders are a lot of times newer and cleaner (and they also have the double decker train which is personally my favorite!)

[@mericevros3319]

Can I ask a question? How much does it cost a train ticket from Brussels to Bruges?

[@alejandrayalanbowman367]

How about moving a little further south and tying some of Spain's offerings?

[@girlgirl4548]

The Sud Express from Lisbon to Irun via Salamanca, perhaps? Or some of the Talgo routes? RENFE's "Clase Preferente" is very good.

[@alejandrayalanbowman367]

@@girlgirl4548 I was thinking more of, perhaps, the domestic Cercanías such as Jaén to Atocha which passes through some fantastic scenery in the Despeñaperros yet is so close one can almost touch it.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Yes, it's top of the list Europe wise once lockdown 2.0 is over.

[@Tina-qp7py]

Yes, any train in Spain and Lisbon would be great!

[@tammo100]

Except for Oostende to Liège and Brussels to Luxembourg all routes in Belgium are basically short distance, so no need for catering on board.

[@marvsslu]

Even on Luxembourg to Brussels, there isn't any catering since more than 20 years and only on the EC trains to Italia or Switzerland.

[@tonguepiercing]

@@marvsslu I dont think these long distance trains still exist.

[@tonguepiercing]

The only catering on trains you will find in Belgium will be on the high speed trains like Eurostar to London, Thalys to Paris, Amsterdam or Cologne, and the ICE to Frankfurt. Also, contrary to for instance the Netherlands or Germany, there is almost nowhere catering on the platforms (except for a few vending machines in some places). So get your food before getting to the platform or on the train !

[@mehdi6025]

*Oostende to Eupen

[@anitramwaju]

@@tonguepiercing To Switzerland (Basel), the last one was in April 2016 (I was in it…). To Italy, the last trains were in 2003…

[@maxster_8989]

Thanks for the great video. How do you pick your destinations? Charleroi and Liege are not exactly tourist hotspots.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I was travelling to Amsterdam but needed to avoid Antwerp as to not have to quarantine once arriving in Germany the next day hence the slightly strange route.

[@1336mg]

@@DylansTravelReports The quarantine was not for people traveling through Antwerp. If you would have stayed on the train, no worries.

[@rer161]

Nice video, the EMU 96 run also between Namur (BE) and Maubeuge(FR) via Charleroi and between Mons (BE) and Aulnoye-Aimeries (FR). When you go in France go in Maubeuge and Aulnoye make picture or video before that the IC trains Maubeuge-Namur and Aulnoye-Aimeries - Mons are canceled due to lack of sufficient passengers.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks for the info 😁

[@Martindyna]

Nice video. Does this train stop on the way to Liege? It wouldn't bother me but, unless the train makes some stops, 75 mph (121 km/h) seems a bit on the slow side for most people. For a non stop express train I would have expected at least 90 mph (145 km/h) running (the train then becomes faster than by car). I'm surprised that I'm the one to raise this as i like leisurely train speeds due to the fuel economy (hence why i ask does the train make any intermediate stops). I like the train quality; I guess that Dylan is referring to the odd appearance of the train ends as `strange'.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! Yes, it stops several times en route.

[@DanielsUKT]

isn't it nice just to get on a train look out the window enjoying your journey especially to a scenic background and yes the station at liege guillemins looks very modern a bit like the palaces you see in Moscow metro stations

[@jeroena2114]

the system on the dutch koploper trains has been deactivated more then 15 years ago during a refurbishment of these units

[@samblam]

you can actually reserve a seat. I've seen schools do this and then they hang a piece of paper on the window of that seat. not sure if they only allow big groups to do this though

[@nayanawikramage4341]

Nice train travel ,I love BELGIUM🏥🏫⛪🏰

[@John_Fugazzi]

Like many here I liked the map. Considering you have a worldwide audience, it really helps people visualize your journeys.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you liked it 😁

[@imaginox9]

Nice ! AM96's are beloved by Belgian train enthusiasts for their confort and traction motor noises. My go-to place in these trains is the small 2nd Class compartiment between the driver's cab and the first set of doors, you can be sure you'll have a calm journey there ! Also yes you can walk through the front of the train, a comment says they shut them because of Covid and I've not taken a single train since the pandemic started so I didn't know. The thing is that SNCB has been underfunded for a little while and they basically made hardly any improvement for years but since the last 2 or 3 years they finally started modernising themselves. Also something I glad is that SNCB got bashed when their Desiro trainsets came in service about a decade ago because of their "ironing board" seats that have zero confort, so for their new M7 trains they basically did the whole opposite and they are amongst the most comfy trains on the network. Have a ride in them if you have the occasion. Or on the I6 or I10 coaches for the Belgian edition of classic intercity travel ! Also if there is no catering on board SNCB trains, that's because basically SNCB Intercity services are considered regional trains in other countries (example: IC Ghent to Lille is named TER in France and IC Spa to Aachen is named RB or RE in Germany). The longest routes being Oostende to Eupen and Brussels to Luxemburg which both are about 3 hours long.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks for the info 😁

[@imaginox9]

@@DylansTravelReports No problem !

[@stellemark96]

That train type or train look is quite common in southern Sweden and most of Denmark since a whole family of train are designed with that flat front to easily walk through the whole train. the train types are called X31K in Sweden/X31ET in Denmark and you also hace the IC3 trains and the Y2 trains. All of thoose are on the outside pretty much the same

[@DylansTravelReports]

Yeah, the AM96 has some features based on the IC3s and X31s like the doors at either end of each unit.

[@m4rtenlundkvist]

Solid job with this one. Keep it up!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks

[@MrWebbster1997]

In future if travelling in Belgium Sncb do a U26 single for any journey in Belgium at €6.99 and a all line rover in holidays for €15

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks for the info!

[@Hans-gb4mv]

@@DylansTravelReports U26 is of course a cheap option if you are under 26, but in this case, you actually paid a premium for the convenience of only 1 ticket. A normal ticket between Charleroi and Liege would cost you €14,30 while the bus fare would have been €3,50.

[@michasreisefieber]

In Belgium and Nederlands Intercity are not really long distance trains. So there is no additional fee to pay when using an Intercity instead of a regional train. So that makes that the inside doesn't look that nice and comfortable like in other countries. And that may be also the reason why the toilets are often dirty. A lot of daily travellers use this trains. Look in local or regional train toilets in other countries and you see what I mean.

[@jordydesmedt6069]

Our whole country is strange, not only the trains 😅

[@starguy8809]

true

[@kimberlygila3604]

nice short train ride; trains looked great; bathrooms needed more cleaning; I like the station.

[@martinferre8395]

I'm a worker of sncb (stations department) and I thank you for your video ;)

[@DylansTravelReports]

You're welcome 😁

[@piotrk73]

Hi Dylan !! Nice video, thank you !!😃 👍 You should have tasted the famous Liège waffles and the "péket" (grain spirit flavored with juniper berries) .... 🧇😍

[@1970jel]

Or go to the Sunday morning Market along the Meuse, lots of fruit, Italian food, my favorite place on a Sunday morning instead of a dull church when I was a child. Waffles and Vol au vent, my parents dancing at the muzette music, very nice memories.

[@Nils_Ki]

I remember the "rubber lip cabs" inventet by Danish designers for the DSB IC3 were adapted for Belgian trains also. But I didn't know they still use them.

[@privateerbouncher9622]

IC3 and it’s electric variant IR4 is still in use as well in Denmark :)

[@Nils_Ki]

@@privateerbouncher9622 and the Öresundståg/Øresundstog, also fitted with rubber lip cabs.

[@archer7234]

Another great video dylan, keep the good work up :)

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@isakaldazwulfazizsunus7564]

This has got to be the most comfy model in Belgium. This one and the two-decker between Charleroi and Brussels (I don't know the model number). As for the space between seats, I'm wondering if it's because Belgians like to take a whole set of seats for themselves anyway, unless the train is absolutely packed? And when it's packed it feels like the Brussels metro... More generally, SNCB trains within Wallonia tend to be rather filthy. It gets better when you go to Namur and Liège or to Brussels. The train you got on is actually rather clean in Belgian terms. Take a trip between Mons and the Brussels area and you'll find disgusting old trains with filthy seats and a distinctive smell of sweat and stale beer. Trains in Flanders are usually cleaner. What they all have in common is that they make a habit of being late.

[@joachimtaverne5035]

You're probably talking about M6 coaches when you speak about two decker ;)

[@isakaldazwulfazizsunus7564]

@@joachimtaverne5035 I honestly have no clue as to the names of the models. Where can I find them?

[@joachimtaverne5035]

@@isakaldazwulfazizsunus7564 Here you have a lot of pictures (it'es in french but with the picture you can undesrtand ) www.belrail.be/F/fiches/index.php Ther's also a wikipedia page but they don't list coaches there : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_SNCB/NMBS_classes

[@isakaldazwulfazizsunus7564]

I'm native in French so won't be an issue ;) thanks!

[@joachimtaverne5035]

@@isakaldazwulfazizsunus7564 Dans ce cas, la page wikipedia en francais est plus complète ;) (et plus récente que lepremier site donné ;) ) : fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat%C3%A9riel_roulant_de_la_SNCB

[@Steve-xf4uv]

That was a strange looking train, sort of like the electric m.u. units that ran on the Northeast Corridor in the U.S. The one at 12:34 is quite a bit nicer, obviously a high speed line. The scenery was pleasant on this train although you are right the bare bones service is more like a bus. That station roof is something, I'm going to check it out on Google. Another good one Dylan.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@anderslarsen6009]

As a Dane I see nothing strange about these trains :-)

[@iankemp1131]

If that was a good toilet I'd hate to see a bad one ... Some of this shrieks 1970s British Rail - iffy cleanliness, no on-board catering or trolley, but easy walk-on fares. Much cheaper than traditional BR though, especially if you go over on Eurostar when you can travel on to any Belgian station for free (but do specify it on your ticket). Liege-Guillemins is an amazing station, pity there were no shots of the equally striking exterior. I went to a conference in the city and the brochure actually used the railway station as the main front cover picture - I didn't realise till I got there! Charleroi has a nice traditional exterior; even better is Antwerp Central.

[@maureendesquitado3606]

Hi Dylan I enjoyed this video!!! Thank you!! See you next week!!! Take care!!!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you enjoyed! Take care 😁

[@theobrattinga500]

Great video !!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@johnburke5384]

Really good video Dylan but that sink......how can it get that bad ?

[@CarolgTX]

Nice video, Dylan! I love the addition of the map. 🙂 It seemed to me, at least in the video, the 1st class cabin was quieter than 2nd class. Perhaps it is more insulated to buffer the train sound? Did you notice a difference in sound between the two classes?

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I didn't really notice any difference in the noise between coaches.

[@kauemoura]

There's no difference, it's just that the first class tends to have fewer people.

[@CarolgTX]

@@kauemoura thanks.

[@DavidWsTrainVideos]

Looks like the SNCB is having trouble keeping the graffiti off the outside of the trains let alone the inside. nice video as usual

[@FinnTheCanadian]

When you reach your next milestone you should review/Show all the gear you travel with

[@albertweir5070]

Dylan this train was rather grubby at least it got you there reminds me of our intercity trains here in Aussie use pleanty of sanetizer oh well these things happen cheers buddy

[@goodi2shooz]

All my favorite train trips are near bodies of water , rivers and lakes and bays.. It's funny but the only thing that comes to mind when I think of Liege is waffles ..did you have any waffles while you were there LOL

[@DylansTravelReports]

Unfortunately I was only in Liège for about an hour so no time for waffles 😭

[@frankiii9165]

Looks like RENFE serie 594, but with a straight body side and single leaf doors!

[@noxo_nss]

Thanks for coming in Belgium

[@77smp]

OK, I can't find a decent pun. The best I have is..... Is that the Standard Liege ticket for away fans? 😞

[@tgv3000]

Merci pour cette jolie vidéo et ce petit voyage sympa en Belgique !

[@DylansTravelReports]

De rien 😁

[@shivaprasad6311]

Very beautiful railway station👍🏻❤️

[@louislegrand2865]

Thanks, Dylan! Nice video.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you enjoyed 😁

[@sanderrobenek]

Nice vid, Dylan, greets from a Belgian SNCB Companion

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😀

[@MekoUnknown]

That map is a great addition to the video's Dylan! Keep up the good work! Also, if I may ask, how tall are you? Just for some perspective regarding leg room, since my 6'4" self doesn't usually fit in economy/2nd class well....

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I'm about 6'1"

[@davidsecour1372]

That station is beautiful!

[@starguy8809]

Antwerp-Central: Am I a joke to you?

[@TDIMAXDIESEL]

Bombardier trains are built here in Québec province, Canada 👍🇨🇦 Very interesting videos, thanks for sharing them !

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad you enjoyed 😁

[@kennyclauw9713]

bombardier has a factory here in bruges to in belgium :D

[@alph5230]

There are power outlets at the front and the back of the coach

[@kennyclauw9713]

indeed just in the front and the back of the compounds :=D

[@joananderson3328]

I loved the video. Did you ever missed the train in your videos? Keep up the great work.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks! I haven't missed my train (yet.)