{"id":3584,"date":"2013-08-24T06:06:01","date_gmt":"2013-08-24T10:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/?p=3584"},"modified":"2013-08-22T07:30:21","modified_gmt":"2013-08-22T11:30:21","slug":"brians-belgian-rail-marathon-august-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/brians-belgian-rail-marathon-august-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Brian\u2019s Belgian Rail Marathon\u2014August 2013."},"content":{"rendered":"

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Making Use of an SNCB \u2018Railpass\u2019 Ticket.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Does Belgium<\/a> offer one western Europe\u2019s best-kept secret railway experiences?<\/p>\n

\"Belgian<\/a>
Interior of the upper level on a double-deck SNCB train. Exposed with my Lumix<\/a> LX3.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Railway<\/a>
SNCB station entrance at Ottignies<\/a>, Belgium in August 2013. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1835, Belgium was first on the Continent to adopt the steam railway. It subsequently developed one of the densest railway networks in Europe. Today, (Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges<\/a>\u2014Belgian National Railways) operates one of the best national networks.<\/p>\n

Although, often overlooked in favor of more scenic countries, Belgium is a great place to ride trains. I\u2019ll be honest, while I\u2019d made a few trips to Belgium in the 1990s, in recent years I\u2019d generally ignored it in favor of other places. Recently, I\u2019ve been stunned to find what a pleasant place it is to ride trains.<\/p>\n

The railway is well integrated with other modes. Services run frequently on regular intervals across the network. On most routes there\u2019s a good mix of local and express trains. The equipment is varied and generally comfortable, and the staff are very professional, courteous, helpful, and smartly dressed.<\/p>\n

On the downside, I found that some stations, especially un-staffed smaller ones, were neglected and in a poor state and this tended to detract from the overall experience. By contrast, other stations were in very nice shape.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve made two trips to Belgium this year. Last week (August 2013), I made good use of a 10-ride \u2018Railpass\u2019 ticket that I purchased for 76 Euro back in March.<\/p>\n

This is an open-ended ticket where you write in your starting station and destination with date of travel for each journey. From my experience its an excellent value, and especially valuable for wandering.<\/p>\n

My goal was to make a circular trip to explore potential photographic locations while traveling lines I\u2019d not previously experienced.<\/p>\n

\"SNCB<\/a>
Platform level view of an SNCB class 18 electric at Ottignies, Belgium. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beginning in a southern Brussels suburb, I rode south via Ottignies (see yesterday\u2019s post<\/a>) and Namur to Marloie, and then eastward over a scenic secondary line to a small station called Esneux<\/a>, where I spent an hour making photos.<\/p>\n

From Esneux, I rode northward to Leige, where I found a stunning surprise . . .<\/p>\n

(To be continued . . .)<\/p>\n

\"SNCB<\/a>
My train to Esneux arriving at Marloie, a small station in southern Belgium. I appear to be on the wrong platform! (Its a good thing SNCB makes prolonged station stops). LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Train<\/a>
SNCB electric multiple unit interior. Large windows and spacious comfortable seat compensate for a basic functional design. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"Railway<\/a>
SNCB station at Esneux, Belgium, August 2013. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\"SNCB<\/a>
SNCB station at Esneux, Belgium, August 2013. Lumix LX3 photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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