Why Belgium’s STRANGEST Looking Train Is Actually a Brilliant Design

[@NCG337]

Kinda surreal to see "Belgium’s STRANGEST Looking Train" in the title followed by a thumbnail of a train I've pretty much been taking daily for years! Never stopped to think how a design I've come to view as ubiquitous is really not all that standard in the grand scheme of things. Great video as well!

[@Simul8StudiosRoblox]

fr

[@zyriab5797]

Same haha

[@axeljr4877]

Same

[@grenade8572]

In the 90s, as a child, I was scared af by that train and its weird black thing on the front. xD Moreover, it was quite myterious for me, because it never stopped at my station; I only saw it driving near me, with full blowing and "fffssssshhhh". The trains I took were often the small red one, that are now retired (and I felt really old when I learned about their retirement).

[@Blitzdo]

Same. I thought it was normal cause I live in Belgium, so I got used to it

[@NQR-9000]

I'm a train driver, and I can tell you the AM 96 is also great to drive. The ergonomics of the driver's cab is almost perfect and its comfort is very good, they are reliable and accelerate and brake well. They are now all equiped with ETCS, so they are very safe too. They just have three "faults" : - The first class takes too much space, and it makes the second class too often crowded (usually, the first class doesn't take more than a quarter of the space, but in an AM 96, it's a third) -There is no really dedicated space for bikes -They uncomfortably "bump" in the low speed switches because the stop of their lateral damper is quickly reached.

[@Bchan]

Another train driver here. I can confirm this!

[@ToMiKoN]

@@Bchan These trains are on of the best on the Belgian net. Maybe they need to rethink the the 1ste class and put some bike/multifunctional 2nd class there. Power outlets and a new information system with tv's are very welcome updates too!

[@jlust6660]

That last one is actually really interesting, this never occurred to me while travelling in one

[@barvdw]

I'll add the narrow doors, making boarding the train a rather time-consuming process, making them basically unsuitable for more busy trains. The floors are also a bit higher up than the more recent Desiro (getting little love, but a handy train when used for its intended purpose, i.e. stopping and suburban services), which is all the more daunting when having to get on or off in stations with low platforms, like Kortrijk. That said, I agree, they are probably the most comfortable trains out there, as long as you can get a seat. They are no fun when you have to stand for the ride.

[@distlstek]

I’m typing this on this type of train. I can concur, the huge first class is just ridiculous, especially when two carriages are arranged with both first class areas joining. This on a line that goes to the airport causes a lot of delay on the platform

[@liamtahaney713]

Definitely the most comfortable trainset on NMBS but can get way overcrowded. The reason gent looks run down is because its undergoing massive construction. 4th busiest station in belgium cant just shut down, so they work from platform to playform

[@bjornroesbeke]

And they lack the funds to finish it.

[@geertvanhaute4157]

​@@bjornroesbeke construction is still continuing

[@Jeanlabinski]

Construction started in 2007.

[@mattiesmusic]

@@Jeanlabinski maybe it will just always be under construction, at this point it feels that by the time it will be finished, it will already be old

[@Dylan_Lanckman]

@@bjornroesbeke they're massively over budget too. But it seems like recently work is starting to advance faster tho.

[@TomVable]

You managed to travel on a train with zero graffiti. In Belgium that's a small miracle😊 Antwerp's train station is the most beautiful in the world, a true railway cathedral!

[@ddv045]

+ on time arrival, + working toilet, +not overcrowded. Now that is a miracle if you combine all of it

[@TomVable]

@@ddv045 You've got that right! Lol! ;-)

[@capusvacans]

Just a pitty that it's full of antwerpians.

[@GaelDLama]

Sorry, but all the train with graffiti are sended to wallonia 😅

[@chh6741]

Most rundown urban transportation system of Belgium​ is Antwerpen. Even Charleroi appear very sophisticated and clean compared to De Lijn in Antwerp@@GaelDLama

[@HansVanIngelgom]

I traveled extensively with the train in Belgium when I still lived there. As long as there are no delays it was quite comfortable. Once delays happened, I often felt abandoned. No information, the conductor often hiding somewhere, just figure it out yourself how you will catch the next train. The craziest thing I saw was when I saw the train arrive too early. I ran my lungs out to catch it. A conductor was looking from the door. I told him "you're 5 minutes early"! Upon which he said, "No no, we are 55 minutes late"!

[@Killerwale-hk4wy]

NMBS moment:

[@ibemaes9738]

They never 55 minutes late annymore, tehy just cancel that rode and add another EXTRA train so no delays there 😂

[@Simon-Andersen]

I know exactly how you feel about the lack of information. The night before, we got kicked off in Mechelen on my way to Antwerp because a truck hit a train up ahead. The conductor just left and said, 'Maybe there will be a bus, or take a taxi, I don’t know.

[@tomadams5541]

i'm a train driver in brussels and this is hilarious obviously not so much for you

[@tomadams5541]

@@Simon-Andersen its because we often don't know it ourselves we even have a saying the train driver knows everything about his train last

[@TournavisTheBlind]

Blind guy here, i recognize the voice of the conductor at 4:55. Really chill guy!

[@skylardeslypere9909]

He's West-Flemish, of course he's chill 😉

[@siemdecleyn3198]

lovely response :)!

[@impishDullahan]

​@@skylardeslypere9909*Best-Flemish

[@aRand0mPerson-xc7ou]

Sameee i recognize his voice aswell lol he's nice

[@Simon-Andersen]

He also seemed to be in a great mood when he came through to check the tickets :D

[@Hepsewind]

Fun fact, the Gent station started rebuilding in 2007 and they are now nearly done with half the platforms. Well not as fun for us locals.

[@Charlemagne1367]

It would have been much smarter and considerate to first renovate the station and put customers first instead of building that stupid diamond office building next to the station.

[@istoppedcaring6209]

worse, just look up at the light fixtures in the new portion, they aren't even cut out correctly, you can see it's a hatchetjob the new floors are fine but it doesn't make up for the many many mistakes, (like benches that are inches from the ground, concrete that looks like it was poured by 6 different corporations who didn't know of eachother, constant changes but never with any realy evidence of improvement

[@shirshenduroy]

It has been 17 years already and so many more years to go. :/

[@priscilabee583]

17 years to do half, OMG

[@MozzaBurger88]

@@priscilabee583 Same problem with the Mons station in the french-speaking part, Mechelen station also. Belgium has a track-record of mismanagement, contractor bankruptcy, exploding costs and running out of budget mid-project. Things are moving again because the EU has poured money in and they're keeping us in check. Same goes for the train tracks. Lots of work being caried out to catch up with many delayed long-standing projects and repairs. That being said : Belgium has a pretty solid rail network and safety is pretty much excellent these days and soon the whole network will be upgraded to ETCS/ERTMS.

[@MentalParadox]

Living here, this just looks like a train. Never imagined it would look "strange" to foreigners

[@fcgllegend6696]

drm

[@doltBmB]

Yes, living in denmark where this design was pioneered it looks normal too. The only "strange" thing is that more countries haven't adopted it since it's so useful.

[@SeverityOne]

It looks like an old-fashioned toilet seat.

[@ChristopheStrobbe]

I saw this kind of front design in England in the mid 1990s, if memory serves, which was quite some time before it was introduced in Belgium.

[@paulthiel5145]

Yes, Antwerpen Centraal is also one of my favorite European railway stations together with St. Pancras and Milano Centrale. It's just stunning and also an engineering marvel.

[@RealConstructor]

The inside is magnificent, but the outside not as much. I like the outside of Amsterdam Central Station more.

[@NicoDeclerckBelgium]

The original station was designed by the city architect of Bruges, and yes, it IS stunning.

[@MattijsVandebroek]

Liege guillemins also jas a great railway station!

[@d947]

Paid with money from Congo, thanks to Leopold II

[@paulthiel5145]

@@d947 Great to know. Don't really care though. Have a nice day.

[@Tr1ploid]

As someone born in Poperinge and having lived 8 years in Antwerp, seeing this video is a real nostalgia trip. I took exactly this train on this exact line the entire way from Antwerp to Poperinge every two weeks for about 5 years to go visit my parents. I had amazing luck the NMBS switched up the train routes so that there was a direct line between Flanders biggest city and my birthtown. Two hours on this train was very relaxing, many books were read on those seats.

[@pauls.2451]

Never thought I'd hear a danish guy call these flat-nosed trains strange, as Denmark has nearly twice the amount of IC3 and they make up a much larger proportion of DSB's rolling stock. Hope you enjoyed your trip in Belgium!

[@ChristianrnstrupRasmussen]

Yeah. The design is brilliant.

[@hermansvids]

Haha, I had the same reaction when I heard his Danish accent :-)

[@AAA839]

Same manufature ADtranz.The AM96 use similar design from DSB IC3/Class MF

[@Simon-Andersen]

Yup, they are not actually so strange to me, but on a more global scale of train designs, the flat rubber front is quite unconventional outside of Denmark, with most other places opting for a narrow middle gangway. :D

[@vivelafrance8400]

and the IR4 (class ER) and X31 crossing the bridge to sweden as well.

[@sorane8910]

I took that kind of train A LOT of time back then, and soon, I will drive it in a simulator. And when I'm ready, I will drive one for real. Amazing video, I also love Antwerpen Centraal.

[@ilannghost6306]

That's my dream. To be a train driver. Seems so much fun. And of course trains 🤩🤩

[@yunusyilmaz144]

Best of luck for the phase 0 in training

[@sorane8910]

@@yunusyilmaz144 Thank's ! I already pass all the selection so... I can't wait to start the actual training.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Glad you liked the video :D! I hope you get to drive them

[@MatsBrezal]

Omg, I take this exact route from Antwerp-Kortrijk to my dorm! It’s so cool seeing this route highlighted :3

[@TychoVan]

same!!

[@LReBe7]

The Gent-Sint-Pieters station has been under renovation since 2002, the contractor that was doing the work went bankrupt and they had to redo the whole tender procedure to hire a new contractor. The reason that the two last platforms are different, is because they had to redraw the plans after the whole debacle, because there wasn't enough money to finish the initial design.

[@jojoknight]

The exterior design of this train is without a doubt my favourite. It is also by far the most comfortable train to sit in together with the new double-deckers. I found it funny that you mentioned the sockets being located on inconvenient spots. These were the first trains with sockets located in convenient spots. You find them at the entrance of every carriage by the 4 seaters. But you only have two per compartment... You just need to look up 😅

[@Simon-Andersen]

It was more about the fact that there are only a few, and they’re mostly in inconvenient places. For instance, the Danish IC3 has power sockets at every seat :D

[@stone4609]

Cool video! i have also been taking this train myself for almost 8 years daily except if i need to take another train. Little thing about the power outlets, in each wagon at the first and last 4 seats on either the left or the right side there is also an outlet ! If the seat is free this is prolly the most comfortable to use an outlet in the train.

[@erikramaekers63]

We Belgians complain about most things,but Antwerpen -Central station is liked by everyone

[@ADa89mixus]

A trainstation that has'n't seen a train on time since 1895 isn't much to brag about.

[@Simon-Andersen]

I mean the one in the video was pretty much ontime :P

[@erikramaekers63]

@@ADa89mixus if a train arrives on time the Belgians will complain too.I missed my train, i'm used to my train being late etc etc 😀

[@nether-fn]

I'm walloon, and like bro how they find this strange, that's just a traiin !?

[@gregoryclement9765]

They almost tore this magnificent building down in the eighties...

[@AymanTravelTransport]

I was in Antwerp last week for a conference at the university, so I was certainly impressed by the station design and likewise, the city itself was way better than I expected when I walked out.

[@saladspinner3200]

Antwerp is a great European compact metropolis. Very walkable and it's packed with sights, history and a bustling nightlife.

[@AymanTravelTransport]

@@saladspinner3200 totally agree with you on all those points; the sheer variety of stunning architecture to see and pedestrianisation across the city centre is insanely-well designed. For my favourite European cities, this has easily gone in the top three alongside Basel and Dusseldorf.

[@Irdanwen]

I live in Antwerp, I take the train to this station every work day. Have been doing that for plenty of years and I still love to look up in awe and wonder at this beautiful building.

[@MervynPartin]

Antwerpen Centraal station looks magnificent. The train ride seemed smooth and quiet- much better than some that I have seen on KZbin in recent months. Although similar to some Danish trains, these appear to have more doors for entry/exit so that is much better.

[@pommeNM]

I’m Belgian and the AM 96 actually inspired a ghostly entity in my sci-fi story. It’s just really uncanny when it passes by in the morning mist or evening at full speed, when you just see its yellow eyes and its round shaped head, getting closer and screaming like a damned soul

[@ziggycoussement]

I'm taking this exact route tomorrow evening to get to the Netherlands. Crazy to see this video now and definitely have some things to look for now :).

[@stijnjanssens571]

this is (a part of) the comute i take to college every week, the trains are some of my favorites the belgian rail has to offer, very confratable and usually quite clean. but at 11:00 you do say "less busy services" but especially on sunday evening between Antwerp and Gent the 12 cars are needed and usually quite packed with college and university students making their commute. also also, there are a couple more power outlets to the left and right of the doors to the passenger compartments (on the side of the seats) hidden on the wall above the luggage racks. nice video btw! :D

[@Simon-Andersen]

Yeah the "Less busy services" is a refrence to what they are mostly suited for. But thankfully with their design you can make 12 car trains for those days where its really needed :D Thank you for the nice comment

[@wardieplayer1394]

Never thought i would enoy watching a video about trains this much, Great job dude!

[@Simon-Andersen]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you found it intresting :D

[@jlust6660]

Quite funny and unusual to see the exact train and almost the exact route I always take covered in a train video on youtube! I definitely enjoyed the video

[@Simon-Andersen]

That's cool! Im glad you liked the video :D

[@lyramsr]

always extra cool to see you at stations I frequent! love these trains, my favourite belgian rolling stock I think

[@maximbollansee]

As a Belgian, i really enjoyed your video! More of this 😄!

[@Simon-Andersen]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@MrNabura]

I have no knowledge of trains, I didn't know your channel. Yet, I watched the whole video haha. Good job buddy!

[@Simon-Andersen]

Awesome, thank you!

[@JelMain]

Prior to 2007, Antwerp was a true terminus, so trains from the south headed further north reversed direction and circled through the eastern suburbs.

[@barvdw]

They either reversed, or skipped the station entirely and went from Antwerp-Berchem to Antwerp-East (now closed) on the circular.

[@aselwyn1]

@@barvdw wish they would open up that east bypass back up although it does sometimes get used for construction diversions

[@barvdw]

@@aselwyn1 frankly, if they can't do it properly, i.e. a minimum frequency of twice an hour, they shouldn't bother IMO, nobody would wait for a train for 40' if there's a bus or tram every 15', which is hardly slower. Also, open another station near the Turnhoutsebaan for easy transfers to the premetro, trams and buses there. And lastly, where would you go with that train?The passengers from L.12 are perfectly happy that they don't lose 10' extra anymore going the long way, divert them and it's war. Maybe a shorter line to Kapellen? Or would you suggest serving the harbour and the communities of Stabroek, Berendrecht and Zandvliet? Not sure if there's enough potential, tbh. Also in the other direction, which passengers are you going to deny a stop in Antwerp's main station?

[@BDM276]

@@barvdw That used to be rather annoying for me. I live in Ekeren, I frequently had to travel to Utrecht so I had to take a bus to antwerp. A train to Berchem and then the train towards Amsterdam. 1.5 hours after leaving I could see my house from that train.

[@barvdw]

@@BDM276 you can also take an S train to Roosendaal, probably cheaper than via Antwerpen and the HSL, too.

[@initialsjd5867]

Very informative video, I legitimately always wondered why some of our trains were like that.

[@basian7365]

i live at walking distance from the station and my mother did the insurance papers for the company that did the big expansion. its imo one of the most beautiful train stations in the world and im reminded of that almost every day as i walk through it. also, the toilets cost money cause if you can use them for free, then people are gonna leave it behind in a nasty state. people tend to attach value to money. and if something costs money, people will be more careful with it. and boy does it work.

[@Ranyick]

I normally never take trains (if you live in Belgium you know why) but a couple of days ago I had to be in Antwerp so I had no other choice then to take the train to Antwerpen Centraal. It was nice to see the beautiful station again after 10 or so years

[@robin_auti_freediver]

They are really nice trains for a cross-country journey in a weekend or on a cloudy holiday at 1pm. The moment when one minute earlier or later doesn't really matter and travellers volumes are modest. They are really not made for huge commuter volumes at rush hour. Only two small doors at the end of each carriage. Boarding and unboarding can take quite long... (oh and the electro-engines make a quite enjoyable sound when picking up speed 🙂)

[@nk-i-sumpan]

Another fantastic video on the channel! Somehow, you manage to take these ubiquitous, less spectacular, train routes, and make great content out of them. Flot film, Simon!

[@Simon-Andersen]

Mange tak!

[@Coco-the-dino]

I have just been on a train most of the train stations are old and the trains are late most of the time like 45 minutes is insane but the trains themselves were comfortable and calm Also some trains have 2 floors 1 with the seats you choosed and one downstairs witch is like a big open area with seats on the walls mainly meant for big groups or bikes

[@bertiboygaming]

I never had the time to appreciate this because of if I was here I had to go to my train ASAP

[@petrovski1114]

next time you take on of these trains, let me know. I do the maintance on those trains. I could elaborate on the technical side. they are maintained in Kortrijk.

[@cgheeraert]

This week 3 broke down, monday in harelbeke, thursday in kortrijk west, i forgot the third, sadly its getting wors

[@ppdan]

@@cgheeraert Maintenance recently moved from Ostend to Kortrijk

[@Mobi666]

Can the conductor cabin really slide away so that you could walk from 1 train to the other? (behind that closed door he showed)

[@ppdan]

@@Mobi666 Yes, it's actually a huge door. What you see at 7:56 is actually two coupled cabins. That huge yellow front door is "hidden" behind those grey folding doors.

[@petrovski1114]

@@Mobi666 yep, it's also how we replace the windshield wiper. A lot easier than finding something to get to that hight.

[@p2002pl]

I was on a Belgium train trip in May with my parents and it was really nice. 😊 It's great how cities there are close to each other and connected by rail. 🙂

[@Olafje]

If you like train stations, which you obviously do, you should check out the one in Liège/Luik/Lüttich: truly marvellous!

[@Simon-Andersen]

I should next time i am around. They are also getting a tram soon!

[@SloppyMcFloppy1029]

Honestly, this was so much more os a nostalgia trip for me than anything, I miss kortrijk and I miss studying there and this exact line is one I took so many times I couldn't even count it. To see someone cover it like this is surreal but very pleasant, Kortrijk is also a very nice city imo, though I am of course very biased in that opinion.

[@Hawx32]

There are in fact more power outlets, you can see them right before exiting a 2nd class space on the top left of the door, right over the luggage rack. Yes that's the only place where you can sit down and have a cable hanging over your head to charge your phone

[@evaluateanalysis7974]

Worth watching this just to discover the station, I'll have to see it next time I'm in Vlaanderen. I remember some trains you could flip the seat back so you can face forwards. The train splitting is common in Belgie and a great idea. 4:55 I love any Algemeen Nederlands accent.

[@AAA839]

Their rubber front seal design original taken from Danish Railway DSB Class MF. Which built by the same manufacture ADTranz (Now, Bombardier Transport/Alstom Transport)

[@Simon-Andersen]

Yes Indeed

[@hananas2]

These are great. When I visit my parents, it's almost always an AM96, I love the atmosphere inside, so cosy and comfortable. They seem to be really reliable too, I've never had delays in one of these due to technical defects with the train. Feels crazy fast when you're doing 160 km/h too because you can hear the electric motors!

[@deepinthewoods8078]

Back in the 1990s this train was pretty sensational as it brought new colors and a fresh new style to the Belgian railways (and air conditioning!), but nowadays it's showing its age a bit. There are some minor inconveniences which have been sorted out in the more recent trains in Belgium, like the inner doors closing unexpectedly when the train is standing at a station, the seats reclining slightly too much, etc... But all in all it's still a good train and even now i'm using this model at least once a week...

[@barvdw]

Any big remodelling is unlikely to happen, seeing as NMBS/SNCB even refuses to install a/c in their older trains, at most, they have installed a/c in the driver cabin. They did renovate them recently, but it didn't go beyond renewing the floor and wall cover, the seat covers and padding, and some of the minor electronics, but the train basically stayed the same as before.

[@patrickreuvekamp]

The trick with the inner doors is that every passenger pushes the handle when passing, then they will not close 'unexpectedly'.

[@deepinthewoods8078]

@@patrickreuvekamp I think it's a time mechanism. My trick is to push the lever back every time i pass that door. Luckily they fixed that bug in the more recent double-decker trains ...

[@ppdan]

@@patrickreuvekamp There is an infrared detector that should detect everytime someone passes and delay the automatic closing, guess it was broken on that one.

[@Hipsutin4]

as usual you never disappoint me grate video❤

[@neoderidder7734]

They're making new carriages nowadays that have outlets in the middle of every seat but most train are still the old ones. Im lucky to have the new one.

[@amingholizad]

nice vlog about the train I am taking daily! but where was the "brilliant design" portion?

[@Simon-Andersen]

At 7:53, it requires some knowledge of general train design to fully understand, which I could have explained better in retrospect. Most trains that allow passengers to pass between multiple coupled trains, typically compromise in one of two ways: either by having a small, narrow cab for the driver positioned above the passageway, like the Dutch Koploper train, or by using a narrow gangway in the middle, which is common on many Japanese and British trains. What makes this design brilliant is that, unlike the other solutions for enabling passenger movement between multiple units, it doesn't compromise driver comfort by reducing the size of the driving cab.

[@patrickvdv9352]

as someone born and raised , and living in Antwerp .. thanks a lot for the praise! ;) and indeed where did you find so manu trains without graffiti ,and clean inside LOL

[@Devkumar43072]

That train is a one eyed minion of the minion class of train haha

[@CorpusVakarian]

I take the AM96 (almost) every day of the academic week, I like to go first class for the extra comfort and calm. Compared to all the other train types, this one is just my favourite : So comfortable, I love the colours (All of the other trains are too grey and cold), I love it so much As someone else said in the comments though, it is a train type that gets overcrowded easily

[@BoyFromBelgium99]

*Greetings from Bissegem!*

[@terughh]

Thanks for the interesting video 🙏 On older trains like this one, you can find power sockets at the seats at the front and or rear of the carriage, so not everywhere.

[@gentuxable]

If the door was open and you happen to be on the wrong side while the train leaves Kortrijk you will end up in France. That would be terrifying lol.

[@1.loveArt]

That's why in some trains there's a panel saying at which halt it will stop. Also if your going for france the conductor will always say that if your wanna go to [place] or [other place] it's in the other wagons.

[@shirshenduroy]

Happened to me once. The announcements are not consistent. Its Flemish always plus sometimes in French and English. There's always chaos. Plus sometimes, the connecting train to Lille is not attached and people have to change platforms. This adds to the confusion.

[@Charlemagne1367]

Not gonna happen. There is a safety feature preventing the train from moving with an open door.

[@1.loveArt]

@@shirshenduroy yeah I understand that. I almost got in the wrong train once when I heard the announcer it was going for poperinge and ieper.

[@gentuxable]

@Charlemagne1367 no I mean when it is open while combined and someone got on before Kortijk where they separate the train!

[@Bursagov01]

being in on of these stations in belgium gives me on of the best vibes

[@realg00mbavr]

Looks also close to x31k öresundståg wonder how the cab looks

[@Pengu-q4i]

very blue

[@TeamasTwiffleton]

It’s øresundståg, not öresundståg

[@ViktorFromDK]

Both (as well as the IC3/MF and the IR4/ER) are part of the Flexliner family

[@TeamasTwiffleton]

@@Pengu-q4iyes

[@Newbyte]

@@TeamasTwiffleton The "Öresundståg"-spelling is used officially too.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

I travelled several times per year in the AM '96 in the past, and the ride quality and quietness are really good, seats are OK, leg room good. So no complaints about these trains. The absence of power outlets under each seat is a point, but as these trains are close to getting a major refurbishment this is one of the things that will be added. The interiors of the newer M6 and M7 double decker cars are quite similar but do have power outlets under the seats.

[@Simon-Andersen]

Nice that they are getting a overhaul, seems like they will still have a good few years left then :D

[@herrmeistermann2426]

6:18 and a fine view of a Eurostar Thalys.

[@mikepowell2776]

Similar trains were used on RENFE regional (now Media-distances) services before being rebuilt with more conventional cab-ends. Class 594, they were two-car diesel units.

[@Simon-Andersen]

I hope to go make a video about them also one day!

[@Gowron50267]

Not sure which statistics you are using but Gent is the 3rd lagest city in Belgium, not the 4th.

[@tjoeker680]

Gent is the fifth largest city in Belgium. It's just that Liège and Charleroi have their city and thus statistics cut up like Brussels. Which means the population numbers you find online are only talking about the city center, not their suburbs. Liège and Charleroi are only a tad bit smaller than Antwerp.

[@holygooff]

@@tjoeker680 No Liège is rather large, but definitely smaller than Antwerp. Charleroi and Ghent are more similar; although Gent is a bit more urban in the core, while Charleroi is a typical more suburban style industrial city.

[@jandron94]

By population or area ?

[@ppdan]

Liège has a larger metropolitan area population

[@Simon-Andersen]

What I actually meant to say was that it's the 4th busiest station in Belgium, but I messed up somewhere in my script and didn’t notice. Now I look like the fool for trying to avoid the whole debate about how to measure cities and metropolitan areas :P

[@MaJuV]

As somebody who used to take this train (and similar ones) for years during his college years, it's interesting to see an outsider's perspective. As others have mentioned, for us this was just the "default" modern train. These were the more comfortable ones. Belgium also still has a few "older" style trains with more bench-like seatings. (Edit: The MS80 train, according to Wikipedia) Also: You're in luck that the train has only 1-2 minutes delay on the entire track. The train I took from home to college and back usually had somewhere between 5-10 minutes delay on a near-daily basis. XD

[@nathandunnn]

These sort of do look like a worse looking IC3 even though they're still pretty cool

[@ViktorFromDK]

They are also a Flexliner train like the IC3, IR4 and Øresundståg

[@drdewott9154]

Yeah but the journeys these go on are generally also much shorter, as the IC3 is often used on 3-4 hour journeys, whereas the AM96's work seems to be largely trips below 2 hours in length.

[@kevinmansare2070]

It's funny to see the specific train(I mean Moeskroen/Porperinge) I used to take in a video, founded randomly...Nice video

[@frogeggsyeah5138]

I'm one of the people fighting for the Kortrijk Station. It's a beautiful example of "rebuild architecture'. Basically after WWII tons of things were built quickly and efficiently. They weren't pretty, like the station of Kortrijk for example. But they're an important part of our history and the Kortrijk Station is one of the few remaining. It's ugly, I agree but it has its charm and if you know the history you'll appreciate it even more.

[@AB-hm6jd]

Qua toegankelijkheid wel 0/10

[@GamingDad]

@AB-hm6jd the trains themselves also have this issue.

[@Dr.K.Wette_BE]

A long time ago I had the chance, thanks to a very friendly driver, to see the coupling of two units from the inside. The drivers cabin is in fact an enormous door, the whole yellow part in the rubber (3:25) is on hinges. The drivers seat is folded flat against the control panel and the whole thing rotated behind the wall you see at 7:55. (Where the sign with a hand is) Behind, is the yellow front of the train, with the window, the lights, the wiper and flat insects ! 😁 You can also see the 4 (3 for the Danish) big anchoring points of the "door", remember it must be able to withstand up to a crash.

[@thierrypauwels]

Do they still open and close that "door" ? I seems they keep it closed all the time nowadays, so that passengers can no longer go from one unit to the next one.

[@Dr.K.Wette_BE]

@@thierrypauwels I don't know, I stopped using trains (busses, metro,...) when I was graduated from school. 😅 In 2005 I got my first job, with a car from the company.

[@Bumblebeesowner]

i am no TRAIN FREAK/ENTHUSIAST, i am belgian so i was very curioso to know why this train was rubber and flat. I got no answer, but a review of a skanky old NMBS train. thanks. u were nice in the video. but no real answer. 2/5 :c

[@nanderv]

He did explain it during the video, at 4:15 and again at around 7:50. I rate this comment 2/5, complained about something that's explained in the video ;).

[@SamVanRompaey]

as a belgian i am so proud that the nmbs makes such good trains, it's so incredible and your right, antwerpen and more of out big train stations are so beautifull, i wouldn't want to live in any diffrent country (also my dad works for the nmbs)

[@TeamasTwiffleton]

Im not Dutch but I think Gent is pronounced more like “hent” with like a really hard h sound. Great video though!

[@JelMain]

The Low German G is perhaps the most variably-pronounced consonant I know of. Depending on locality, it can be aspirated through an h sound to virtual silence. I spent 18 years in Belgium, am a quarter Belgian, and somewhere in my childhood picked up sufficient Flemish to speak it functionally without ever having studied it! Flemish and Dutch are about 100 years apart.

[@robin_auti_freediver]

In local dialect and generally in the Western Belgian accent it's indeed more like "Hent". In Standard Dutch it's a soft g, similar to a "ch" but just a bit harder

[@herrmeistermann2426]

Simon is Danish, and in Danish G is pronounced hard, as in Glad or Glass.

[@MrSvenovitch]

Only pronounced like that by West Flemish people. Who in my opinion have a serious speech impediment.

[@JelMain]

@@MrSvenovitch Well, Ghent is in West Flanders, close enough. Notice the spelling difference. My great grandpa was Bourgmeester van Oostende, in passing.

[@TheDannyschoofs]

Actually (learned this last year), Antwerpen Centraal/Middenstatie was based on another impressive railway station in Luzern. Unfortunately that burned down in 1971... Luckily Antwerpen Centraal is still there, as in the 80's it was so hard in decay, that there were plans to tear it down... Luckily most of it was restored, while they improved it's capacity by more traintracks (10 to 14 on 3 levels & even making it so, that instead of a terminus, it has 2 tracks going underground & under the magnificent trainstation, in the direction of Holland. It even got some of the towers back it lost, due to the unfortunate state it was in, in the 80's...

[@YannisGoedermans]

I remember them only having the platforms on the highest level. It's so crazy how much has changed and we seem to take it all for granted.

[@luukderie8344]

It is inspired on Danish design who have similar trains. The rubber below was produced by ABB, a competitor of Bombardier, sonic wasn’t easy to be permitted to buy a spinoff.

[@Simon-Andersen]

I think it was licensed the design, a few trains around the world carry it.

[@luukderie8344]

@Simon-Andersen I was part of the project team. It was only because the Belgian railways insisted on having it and made pressure on ABB that bombardier was able to buy.

[@zeveroarerules]

The construction of all those levels in the working station really is a marvel of engineering... They used to have just the upper level with 12 tracks(I think?).

[@tigerpawdesigns]

In the UK our trains have buffers at the front and rear of the trains - This rubber is a replacement for buffers - It does the same job, but with more contact points, instead of the 2 on UK trains.

[@thierrypauwels]

But do the buffers allow to have a driver room taking the whole width of the train when it is in front of the train, and allow passengers to go to then next coach when coupled to another unit ? And we were told that in theory these trains could couple and uncouple while driving. But that was never done in Belgium. And I think that nowadays the possibility for passengers to get access to the next unit during the ride is also no longer used.

[@tigerpawdesigns]

@@thierrypauwels when 2 trains are joined together, there is a gangway for passengers to walk from one end of the train to the other. The driver cab is in 2 halfs... a left and right station, so it doesn't take up the whole width of the train. One side is usually used for the guard when there are multiple train units joined together.

[@thierrypauwels]

@@tigerpawdesigns Well, that is the same as the old Belgian trains, those of which the last ones were withdrawn from service just a month ago.

[@sennayellows820]

i like how you said the train arrives 10 minutes before departure because usually they arrive 10 minutes after

[@MrDragonHero]

you actually got really lucky with the crowd because sometimes it gets so crowded that you have to stand in between the wagons next to the toilets where other people are sitting inside

[@Simon-Andersen]

I specifically try to choose less busy trains when I can because it makes it easier to show the train.

[@thatskeletonsans]

Thanks for making this video. I live in Antwerp, the station is even better in real life.😁

[@quintiax]

I've been riding the Belgian trains for over 10 years now and I just only realised now why sometimes there is a second engine cart. It never occurred to me that they would be used to split off to two destinations, I assumed the train needed a bit more engine power to get to speed.

[@joerivde]

I'm not really too interested in trains, but as a Belgian living in Antwerp, this was very entertaining to watch :')

[@Simon-Andersen]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video :D

[@feta_cheesecake]

I used to see these funny little guys in Lille Flandres all the time. Nover rode on one tho.

[@kogure7235]

I only got to pass through the station at what I didn't know was the lowest level, the one you see at 1:45. I thought it was quite dark and concrete-y looking, so the above-ground section being that extravagant is definitely a pleasant surprise.

[@lukearts2954]

You forgot to mention the automatic doors... You made it look as if you pulled each door by keeping your hand on the switch lever. Also, there _are_ conveniently placed outlets in each cabin by the seats at the end of each compartment. Had you asked a passenger, they would've told you ☺

[@TwistingVine]

There's usually also power outlets at the start and end of each cabin. I've not yet found a train that doesn't have them in Belgium, but it is somewhat hidden (can be beside or under the first seats, not just in the hallways) I've seen plenty of people use the ones connected to the seats, I've never actually seen the ones in the hallways used.

[@fabriced7700]

I worked for almost twenty years troubleshooting the mono versions at AT STOCKEM, so it's safe to say I know them inside out...😊

[@KikiforgelTheTrainFan]

I have sat on this train, its really modern and really good to ride on! especially for long distance trains

[@konarciq]

Huh... looks like the same model as the Öresundståg trains that are predominant in Denmark and southern Sweden. (And yes, I love them!)

[@Simon-Andersen]

Yes, the front design is the same, a few trains across europe uses it, as you could license it :D

[@DÂ_MØØŇÊÐŤŽ]

I might be ring and I won’t be shocked But we literally call it “danish nose” and it’s also a danish train so isn’t supposed to be “weirdest looking trains from Denmark” instead of Belgium

[@Simon-Andersen]

It can still be the strangest-looking train in Belgium, despite using a design from elsewhere. ;)

[@Biditchoun]

10:40 there are actually a bit more power outlets, two in each carriage directly at the right side above the seats. It's not a lot, but it's there.

[@kevindesa]

there are power outlets, but on the seats with 4 seats togheter, they can be bottom side of the table or on the top side bij the window, the dubble decker trais are the best for power outlets

[@Jormunguandr]

I like when you can walk between train sets while in motion 😊

[@duckstyle]

I take this train every time to my dorm! what a coincidence lol

[@tim_peaky]

There are also power connections at the first and last seats of the cabin.

[@ZacharyGamer]

i clicked this video to see if i recognize any people, then i realized i don't leave my house... also that knob wiggle on the occupied door defo gave the person in there a good scare, you evil for that HAHAHA

[@cliff974]

I love this train, i am studying in Ghent and living in Ieper so i take this train 2 times a week, but a student rush hour it could happen that you were standing up (sunday evening and friday afternoon)

[@senglide1524]

I commute to my work place in Antwerp every day and I specifically plan my day so on my return home I can take a route that uses this type of train. I use public transport for my free time as well and I am always happy when this train pulls into the station. In my experience one of the most reliable and comfortable equipment of NMBS/SNCB. Only downside for me is that the entrances and hallways between the carriages are quite narrow (Most of the times I travel with a folding bike).

[@Simon-Andersen]

Yeah, that's the main downside-the accessibility isn't great.

[@anouarelmakrini1814]

With al due respect you made an awesome vid but i more impressed by the only 1min delay 😮 like i live and born in Belgium and never seen les then 5min delay if they even show up 😂

[@natehill8069]

I really feel old when someone says "old school" about a thing that replaced the thing that replaced the thing I used when I was a kid...

[@stevend6173]

AM96 is my favourite NMBS train. Very comfy seats, the newer ones are thinner and squeaky 😅

[@PyroYeet]

10:30 power outlets are at the end of each cabin, on the ceiling mounted baggage rails (not always)

[@Real_Claudy_Focan]

I slept soooo many hours in these ! :D

[@svenlabots1869]

Very nice video! 👍👍😉