The *LONGEST* tram route in the world! De Panne to Knokke (67km / 42 miles)

[@siuuuuu7971]

Another Planes and Trains, Everything banger. 🐐🐐🔥🔥

[@Ninajskills]

Facts 🐐🐐🔥🔥

[@ryanhenricksen3358]

WHAT A BANGER!!!!

[@romanazukova8728]

which one is the real one

[@ClassyWhale]

Fun fact: as of yesterday, this is now the /second/ longest tram route in the world! the longest is now in Los Angeles, from Azuma to Long Beach, created from the fusion of two existing lines with a new tunnel

[@PTB_BE]

lmao, that's not a tramline but a glorified metro.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

@@PTB_BE It cannot be a metro because it has street running and a huge number of level crossings

[@PTB_BE]

@@OntarioTrafficMan it clearly is not a tram, light metro perhaps, heavy light rail even. But all but a tram.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

@@PTB_BE it is a sneltram, also known as light rail. And so is the kusttram, which also operates on its own dedicated line.

[@PTB_BE]

@@OntarioTrafficMan the kusttram is all but a sneltram, it's a tram. The word sneltram comes from the GVB wanting to build another metroline but having severe opposition to it. Hence inventing the word "sneltram" which is a light metro.

[@frasermitchell9183]

The Coastal Tram is the last remaining route of the old Belgian Vicinal, a state-owned company set up to develop local, light railways in Belgium. Parts of the Charleroi metro use old Vicinal routes. About half of the network was electrified and ran on metre gauge tracks. The whole network was nearly 3000 miles in length, not bad for such a small country ! I remember seeing a Vicinal tram on its track beside the road when on a coach trip from Oostend. We were on holiday there in 1960

[@calummcluckie1023]

Another Planes and Trains Everything Banger 🐐🐐🔥🔥

[@Ninajskills]

Facts 🐐🐐🔥🔥

[@ryanhenricksen3358]

AGREED!!!!! 10000% BANGER!!!!!!!!

[@romanazukova8728]

which one is the real one

[@koos48]

You have captured the Belgian coast atmosphere perfectly!

[@yaboydolphin]

deep pan looks lovely! cheers from belgium

[@tomisalwaysflying641]

Nice! A year ago I did the same, but we started at Oostende and made a return trip to both ends (thankfully the weather was better at the time). I found the old trams to be more comfortable. There's one at 01:55

[@issymills4213]

Took this tram journey a couple of years ago it was wonderful

[@iamthestig1]

Belgium looks like a nice place to go. It's definitely on my list to visit.

[@OverSoft]

Just skip Brussels. It's boring and ugly. If you want to visit the beautiful side of Belgium, definitely go to Brugge (Bruges), which is stunning.

[@goolasmo]

@@OverSoft Clearly visited the wrong places in Brussels then. You can call the city a lot of things, but definitely not boring. Especially when compared to Bruges.

[@VenusEvan_1885]

@@OverSoft ugly and boring? Just came back from Brussels it's literally a mini Paris, very beautiful and always something is going on.

[@monstertruckess]

depends here you are going. Some parts are shameful, full of homeless and addicts. But the touristic places are fun. Lots of smiling tourists and life.

[@lukekingsland4813]

Neiwport well worth a visit. It was on the front line in the first world war hence the damage. The king stayed in de panne virtually the only piece not occupied

[@ZvonimirZelenika]

You have skipped de Haan (between Oostende and Blankenberge), probably the nicest place on the route. You can expect Hercule Poirot to jump out of any corner due to the amount of Art Deco buildings and scenes.

[@skeven0]

the most famous belgian that actually never existed

[@RuthPettit-vy7pq]

Great video . I have only visited Belgium once since the tram line was installed but sadly didn’t have time to go on it as stopped in De Panne for lunch and a walk before heading to the ferry . The tram hopefully helps reduce the number of people driving to or between resorts as in hot weather I remember it being really hard to find a parking space , that was during visits in the 90s . Belgium is a great country to visit

[@lukekingsland4813]

Knocke is a nice town too worth a visit.

[@TheEddyrose1]

I lived in De Panne 10 years ago, also took the coast tram several times to ostende and also Blankenberge. Those trams sure look a lot more modern, I was on the older models which was also nice. Really enjoyed your video, brought back some good memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@alecralph6667]

Once again an interesting video, but spoiled by the adverts during the video!!!

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Thanks for your explorations!

[@jarekweckwerth1390]

Top notch humour, thank you!

[@steve-marsh]

Maybe not a beautiful route but certainly an interesting one. Think I saw every style of architecture represented along the way. Really fancy a shot on this tram. Your seagull pal could still have downed a seafood platter after his waffle I imagine...

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

It's defo an interesting jouney. There aren't too many countries where you can travel the full length of it's coast by tram.

[@djmark143]

@SteveMarsh In the summer this area actually is quite nice to visit. The not so good weather made everything look more bleak than it really is. It can be very busy as well in the summer months as this part of Belgium attracts a lot of tourists in the summer. 🙂

[@Eurobrasil550]

@@boilingwateronthestove interesting, I wonder if land and property would be cheaper just across the border in France, having much more land area, coast and lesser population density than Belgium?

[@Eurobrasil550]

@@djmark143 I remember in the 70s and 80s day trips with special trains from Luxembourg city to Oostende, a long day out for them!

[@barvdw]

​@@Eurobrasil550 they're still there, I believe, special charters from Luxembourg, but I thought they go to Blankenberge nowadays.

[@fuzzwork]

I've always wanted to try this, thanks for the vid

[@christopherfox735]

Great video. Just goes to show how well they do trams in Europe. By the way, I think I’ve become a curryvurst fan when I was in Austria & Germany last week. Two different ways of presenting curryvurst, in Germany I had fried potatoes in an Austrian cafe it came with a bread roll. Anyway it was great.

[@TomIngelaere]

Hi Scott, another great video. Thank you for visiting our 'Atlantikwall'. You talked about a 2nd visit to Nieuwpoort. Maybe combine it with Veurne and Ieper ? That last city having been completely rebuilt in the 1920's (not a stone was left standing in 1918). As to the EUR 2,50 ticket cost : you can use it for an hour, even on connections (and finish the last ride if it runs over an hour). Or do a daypass at EUR 7,50 - valid on all 'De Lijn' trams and busses. From a colleague travel agent with nearly 40 years on the clock : keep doing these great vids.

[@barvdw]

There's also a cap when using the same bank card, like with Oyster Card in London, so you'll never pay more than that day ticket.

[@trevorthefoamer220]

Los Angeles took that personally.

[@floris3239]

17:41 they called Leilinde in Dutch and you also will find them quite a lot in the Netherlands. And as the name already suggests they are linden trees.

[@steevobarker581]

The quality of these videos really is superb. I subscribe to The Macmaster too, and Lee's too are excellent. Real quality. Similarly Walk With Tim. I never watch TV, I watch talented folk like Scott and all the above. Of which I thank you.

[@michaelkobylko2969]

Subscribe to Steve Marsh if you like these kind of videos. He's great.

[@paulfranklin8636]

I'm a huge fan of Cycling and of course that means seeing lots of Belgium, but you've opened my eyes to a good bit more...I may just have to visit

[@wayneeschbank2895]

Another great video and a lot of interesting places on the way I hope you can get back to do this again in Summer when the weather is in your favour

[@markylon]

I love De Panne, great little city, amazing beaches and the world's best roller coaster at Plopsaland de Panne "The Ride to Happiness".

[@hanshartfiel6394]

I like your pronunciation of Knokke. I was actually waiting for you to call it "Nokke"". Well done.

[@simonh6371]

Do you like his Dee Pan too?

[@hanshartfiel6394]

@@simonh6371 I actually didn't notice it as i was looking forward to see/hear Knokke. Where De Panne is concerned every letter is pronounced just like in Porsche.

[@brianbell4937]

You missed the unique feature of this tramway. At three places,, one in Ostende, and two in Zebrugger, there are alternative routes for the tram to take when the swing / lifting bridges are opened.

[@samsungw200]

All the times I went to the tobacco shops and never bothered going into de panne, I love Belgian houses they all look so immaculate

[@melvynbuckton6881]

Very interesting thanks

[@luckystrike1999]

In Oostende cathedral there is a monument to the first queen of Belgium a very large stone sculpture (made by my distant relative) well worth a look. Also the Oostende museum where the queen died in her holiday home. Great video again!

[@barvdw]

Not really a cathedral, just a larger church. The cathedral is in Brugge.

[@luckystrike1999]

@@barvdw oh ok I stand corrected 😊

[@JelMain]

@@luckystrike1999 No, it was a cathedral in the 1920s. Granny was the mayor's eldest daughter, her sis was Natural Sciences tutor to the Royal Family, and so they were close to the monarchy. The society wedding of the year - so the Church got involved, special catechistic training for the head of a good catholic household in Pagan England. It went downhill suddenly when the rather famous cleric involved tried to take the "droits de cuissage", and discovered like father, like daughter, dad had stopped the Germans, one priest was no challenge, rumour had it his undercart was never the same again. Gran was caught throwing her things into a bag, swearing she'd marry in a Registry Office. Negotiations followed, the wedding went ahead on the strict understanding Rome would never impose on the family again - which lasted exactly three generations, in the events which triggered the Watermael-Boitsfort upheaval of the early years of this century.

[@davidoliver1169]

Great video Scott as ever.

[@tammo100]

The trees are called Linde in Dutch, or Common Lime or Linden in English.

[@GertRoux]

Are these trees the same trees that line the famous Unter den Linden in Berlin?

[@DSTWizz]

Love the stepped gables on the roofs of the old Flemish buildings. I cycled up that coast from Zeebrugge all the way to Ijmuiden on a couple of occasions. Some gorgeous towns on the way. Thanks again, Scott. That was fun!

[@Teamwindrose]

If you take the tram with sunny weather and wind you drive over the beach, its a amazing, with sand dunes agains the rails.

[@scottredding7357]

People have mentioned De Haan. There is also some Albert Einstein related tourism to be seen there. He lived there for six months in 1933 at 3 Shakespearelaan, Villa Savoyarde. There's also a statue of him sitting on a park bench.

[@thomas-o8d3o]

one thing i always establish his how far the uk his behind the times watching your clips,seems too be one thing in uk , how many houses can we build !short term wealth building for the few long term planning for the majority nil!

[@LondonPower]

I think the longest is in Crimaia from Symferopol to Sevastopol something like 100 km

[@davidmcmanus2464]

Food looked lovely, Belgium coastline miserable in that rain

[@amyloriley]

If you want to reduce the flickering of the artificial lights in your video, set your video recording framerate to 25 fps or 50 fps; not 30 or 60.

[@Desperoro]

Try country tram from Vorchdorf to Gmunden, Austria. Also very cool :)

[@danielpeti3885]

Never knew such tram existed. I’ve seen one in Hungary between 2 towns in the south east. It was about 20 miles long. Safe journey.

[@jimph1]

Another good video, you fair get about 👍

[@john4013]

So you love seafood, but all I ever see you eat is pastry pizza and coffee, really enjoyed this video, cheers Scott

[@enricomonti156]

Definitely a must try, given the places it leads to.

[@jondavies9347]

The beaches in Belgium and Holland must be the most underrated in Europe.

[@Bruce-1956]

They are not underrated, they are usually filled with Germans.

[@AnatolyDyatolov]

3 hours of amazing views. Lovely video, thanks for sharing.

[@ronik24]

Nice! 🙂 Another interesting spot for good weather is the Atlantic Wall, where you can visit German WWII fortifications in the sand dunes. Get off at "Raversijde-Domein Raversijde" It also features a nice view of the Oostende airport, I captured an Antonov 124 landing when I visited back in 2002. Also: yes, tried the seafood in Oostende every time I was there, good choice for next time! 🙂

[@afrodoodable]

Capacity of these looks really good for a low floor tram, would be a good option for west midlands metro

[@trams_trainbe446]

Well no, that is not the case🤣 These are the worst trams I know (I live here) the BN LRV 6000 (predecessor) had much more capacity (30 more seats) and was faster. The New CAFs are a bad buy, far too few seats and very uncomfortable for the travelers and the driver. Unfortunately, the old BN LRV 6000 went out of service on September 23, 2023.

[@MasonIbsch]

very coool

[@michaelhoran407]

Thank you. The Crimean Trolleybus line from Simferopol to Yalta, Ukraine is 53 miles, 2 hours 30 minutes, very scenic descending to Yalta.

[@grahamhorne6956]

Is that where the phrase Knokke De Panne out comes from at the end of a long day?

[@jpvdw70]

Sluis means 'lock' in Dutch. So Zeebrugge Zeesluis means the lock between sea level water in inlandwaterlevel ...

[@alanadams-ni7uk]

When in Belgium , head down to Liege and get the train to Eupen where they speak German .

[@gerrieberrie6032]

Try to ride on the BN LRV trams. It’s one of the last weeks they are still running. After that it is going to be all CAF trams.

[@stevewareing8525]

Great video Scott, the overcast conditions made for some atmospheric footage (Pardon the pun) But cloudy skies often lend themselves to better photography especially around ports and harbours. At least you didn't get too wet. PS: The Waffles looked amazing. 👌

[@darenhaines8830]

When you were in De Panne I thought maybe you would eat a pizza. A De Panne pizza....As for the price of the tram ticket, you can't Knokke the value for money of it.

[@stasiunkucing]

modern country transport,

[@LiveFromLondon2]

Alicante to Denia, in Spain, is well over 50 miles...... Alicante Tram L9. Two new bridges are being built meaning that changes en route are necessary, but after the summer should be one tram all the way.

[@frglee]

😀I know this tramline well; it's great fun to travel on and eminently do-able as a daytrip from Dover on the ferry, De Panne being at the Belgian border on the coast with France, under half an hour from the Dunkirk car ferry terminal (no passengers without vehicle, sadly). Then take the tramride along the coast - a holiday in itself! Not expensive, either, as I recall. If you have time, Ostende is worth a mooch around, as is Blankenberge. Both have lovely beaches, but Ostende has a busy town centre and an interesting port. A short tram ride away from Blankenberge is the pleasant Knokke-Heist beach resort. A great day out! The older trams used to have a great rear circular chair in the last car that would swing you round the corners - a ride in itself!

[@sgt.eclair]

As of June 16, this route will no longer be the longest tram route in the world - once the Regional Connector opens, the Los Angeles A (Blue) line will be the longest in the world :)

[@LaneC-zh8fj]

looks like fun was that a one way fare and can you get off and on when you want?

[@josephturner7569]

1981, we took the ferry to Ostend and stayed in De Haan.

[@wietzebraem]

hey scott welcome to Adinkerke , en NOT de panne Belgium , Great of you to do that and at my workplace as a paper pieker from the cleaning service for the municipality of De Panne

[@Paul-qk5et]

Remember catching the ferry from Dover to Ostend

[@paulhoughton5266]

Hi Scott, you seem to like Belgium (certainly cannot go wrong with their beer and food) I would recommend a visit to Namur, very picturesque town.

[@JelMain]

You missed the midday soup truck. Sold by the litre to wives, doled from trashcans, they pull up shouting, Soep! Soep! Fijn Soep!

[@utahrailfan1946]

Won't be the "Longest" much longer. Los Angeles is about to combine 2 routes to make one 49 mile/ 79 kilometer route.😊

[@Bulkmeister123]

I've done this trip end to end without a break and fair to say my lower back paid for it for a few hours after it but I did enjoy the ride.

[@ChrisAllen-mv2vd]

Been to blankenberge 4 years friendly people

[@18Reading71]

I was in de Panne last Sunday ... got sunburned.

[@emrysinfrimley4229]

Nice video. Will try to do the same too.

[@baseballfan99]

On my list of trips to do. At a guess I think the longest in the UK is Rochdale to East Didsbury which is 37km though would be longer still if they ran direct to the Airport. I also love border crossings and seeing the differences each side of the line 👍

[@naaldwijkvrouwen1457]

When are you coming to the Netherlands? There are a lot of interesting places to visit.

[@Pepijntrein]

I live in oudenburg not far from Ostend

[@BoyFromBelgium99]

*If you ever want a tour around the coast of Belgium, contact me. My parents have a van in Middelkerke and I know a lot of stuff across the whole coast line. I've also been riding in old trams, that they used in the past!*

[@Bruce-1956]

Nieuwpoort is the same pronunciation as Newport.

[@daniel69]

GOAT

[@matpk]

Extend Blackpool Tram to Preston Station by 2026🎉

[@zelevenz1186]

I (as a Belgian) find €2,5 a lot for public transport 😂

[@jimthesprayer]

Hey Scott they are Tilia ( lime) trees

[@racingweirdo]

Hmm not stopping in de haan is a shame, its the only orginal village on the belgium coast.

[@marcel3x]

The price isn't €2,50, it's €2,50 per hour, so the whole trip is €7,50, or a day ticket...

[@aaronokeeffe3942]

The Trams in Dublin are also 2 euro providing you have a leap card

[@user-hg9om8tl5e]

Hello from a fellow buddie

[@liamtahaney713]

Have lived in Belgium for 2 years…never ridden yet! Disappointed with myself

[@kenglenwright4040]

We had the exact same plan a month or so ago, cross into France but it was...raining. Is this recent cos its nearly 30C in Belgium this week

[@NcWcN1]

9:55 (a la the gulls from _Finding Nemo_ ): "mine?"

[@majy1735]

"Oostende" is called "Ostend" in English.

[@ciaramc29]

Oh must look for a nice campsite near here at least the roads up north are far better tham the Southern counter partsand use the tram for day trips.

[@anthonylamesa7619]

Do you have to pay a new fare every time you get on/off en route?

[@MakeSeven]

There isn't much to see (from a border point of view) on the beach between Belgium and France. On the Belgian side there is nature reserve and I think the border is just a garden fence from the dunes onward to stop people from entering the nature reserve outside the foreseen entry points. No markings on the beach itself. Also on the border between Belgium and the Netherlands there is a nature reserve.

[@garymcgregor7048]

What a creepy first place

[@spiders-tours]

Ah brought back good memories when I went between Lille and Utrecht via Breskens. Very varied along there and good fun, shame you didn't have the weather. Pretty sure they are beech trees, limes have a darker smaller leaf.

[@benfryback9878]

What's the issue with people building homes? People live in those "private apartments"! That typa "it's gotta be perfect" idea is why housing is so expensive in the US

[@rogink]

interesting comment about developers in De Panne. Those hideous concrete blocks seem to line every part of the seaside - they made think of some ghastly resort on the Costas when I visited 10-11 years ago. They should get the developers' treatment!

[@darrenpeters1566]

They have a tradition to uphold, look up 'Ugly Belgian Houses'

[@williamkettle8666]

Good video Scott . Oostende was the first place on the continent I visited on my own as a spotty teenager. Great Country for a tram and train enthusiast travelled that tram route many times although latest trams I think are ugly b---s.

[@realnutteruk1]

I did part of the Kusttram last summer, a bit north of Oostende, and it was fab... sadly the weather was a bit grim, and I didn't visit the nudist beach ... It was my first time on a narrow gauge railway that wasn't in preservation....

[@SCOTTISH-ACE]

U imagine edinburgh done that with there trams to London geez lol