Belgian Summer Break

[Stuart A]

We managed to get away at the end of August to Belgium - a re-arranged covid postponed holiday from 2020.  Thought I'd share a few rail related things on here.

 

We visited Namur which was very pleasent and also has a well stocked model shop http://www.boitatrain.be/ though I wasn't tempted by anything.

 

I then took a trip from Liège to Brussels.  Thought Liège-Guillemins station was fantastic, though probably a bit chilly in winter.  Service was on the new M7 double deck coaches which I thought were fantastic, top and tailed by class 18 Eurosprinters (would love to see a LNER service top and tailed by 2x 91's)

 

 

 

[Stuart A]

Alighted at Brussel-Centraal and visited the Grand Place which was stunning, then hopped on the metro to go to the EU Parlimentarium, which I though was excellent, though tinged with sadness we are no longer in the EU.

Made our way back to Midi station, snapped a couple of class 96 EMUs, a Thalys and TGV, then back at Liège snapped a Brussels bound ICE

 

 

[Stuart A]

Later in the week, we went to Railbikes Of The Molignee and did the 8km stretch to Falaën which was great fun.  Even my kids loved it.  Wish there was something like this in the UK

 

[Stuart A]

On the way back called in Le Chemin de Fer du Bocq as it looked interesting.  A coach unloaded a group of passengers who I think were about ot get onto the railcar that was hising in the tunnel.

 

[Stuart A]

Forgotton to add, we drove back, via the tunnel on my birthday, so I treated myself and ticked off a bucket list item- get close to a eurostar service at full speed at Medway.

As we drove over the viaduct, an e320 headed to London, then wolking down  to the observation point, an e300 headed towards the continent.  However after consulting realtimes trains saw there was a London bound service due in 20 mins so hung around.  And struck lucky with an e300.  Still can't get enough of that sound

 

Edited September 15, 2022 by Stuart A

[EddieB]

I didn't realise there was an observation point!

 

HS1 is mostly surrounded by high security fencing.  There are a couple of vantage points in the Dagenham Dock/Rainham area, but views aren't particular great for photography.

[Stuart A]

19 hours ago, EddieB said:

I didn't realise there was an observation point!

 

HS1 is mostly surrounded by high security fencing.  There are a couple of vantage points in the Dagenham Dock/Rainham area, but views aren't particular great for photography.

Yes!  There is fencing but not overly high

 

It's marked on google maps too https://goo.gl/maps/QDpmeGZdhP1bce877

[Oldddudders]

Walking distance from the first house I owned, from 1975, in Elgin Gardens, off Rushdean Road, Marlowe Park. We moved from there to Cranbrook in 1983, a decade before Eurostar, and rather longer before my former boss - and indeed fellow 1966 Railway Student - was Project Director for HS1. I always look across as my E* traverses the Medway, glimpsing Rochester cathedral and castle on the one side, or Cuxton and the valley on the other.