New Sugestion Belgium Oostende Brussels

Overview

Let’s bring Belgium to Train Sim world 6!
Line 50A connects the North Sea coast (Oostende) with the heart of Europe – Brussels. It’s one of Belgium’s busiest and most scenic main lines, combining InterCity, S-train, local, and freight operations under 3 kV DC electrification.

Route length: ± 114 km

Tracks: Double track (being expanded to four tracks between Brugge and Gent)

Electrification: 3 kV DC

Top speed: 160 km/h

Signaling: Belgian TBL1+ / ETCS Level 1

Driving side: Left-hand running (UK-style)

Operators: NMBS/SNCB – Lineas – Captrain – Crossrail – ECR – RheinCargo

Stations Along the Route

Type Station Notes

Major Terminus Oostende Coastal terminus, depot and sidings
Major Brugge Historic hub for IC & L-trains
Local Oostkamp
Local Beernem
Local Maria-Aalter
Local/some IC Aalter Regional interchange
Local Bellem
Local Hansbeke
Local Landegem
Local drongen
Major Hub Gent-Sint-Pieters 12 platforms, tram links, regional & IC hub, undergoing modernization
IC Stop Anderlecht Modern Brussels-area station, IC and S-trains
Major Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi International hub: ICE, Thalys, TGV
Local Brussel-Kapellekerk / Bruxelles-Chapelle Inner-city S-train stop
Major Brussel-Centraal / Bruxelles-Central Underground city station
Local Brussel-Congres / Bruxelles-Congrès Short tunnel station
Major Through Station Brussel-Noord / Bruxelles-Nord Key through-station for IC, P & S-services continuing to Mechelen, Antwerp, Leuven, etc

Suggested Rolling Stock

Passenger:

AM08 Desiro ML – Local & S-train services

AM80 “Break” – Classic EMU for older IC and P-trains

AM96 – Modern IC EMU used on longer-distance services (e.g., Arlon, Luxembourg)

HLE 18 + I11 coaches – True to life for the Oostende–Eupen InterCity (IC-01)

ICE 3M / TGV Réseau – International traffic via Brussels


Freight:

HLD 62 – Classic diesel, local freight

HLR 77 – Yard shunter / last-mile duties

HLE 13 / 28 / 29 (TRAXX) – Lineas, Crossrail, Captrain

BR 193 Vectron – Modern international freight

Class 66 – ECR, RheinCargo, RTB Cargo

Signaling & Systems

Belgian TBL1+ with ETCS Level 1 overlay

Left-hand running throughout

Authentic Belgian signal aspects & speed boards

Realistic cab systems & warning tones for ETCS


Scenery Highlights

Oostende beachfront & depot

Brugge canals and city skyline

Quadruple-track expansion works (Brugge ↔ Gent)

Gent-Sint-Pieters modernization project — ongoing construction, new platforms, tram terminal

Flanders countryside around Aalter & Hansbeke

IC and S stop at Anderlecht

Dense Brussels tunnel with Kapellekerk, Centraal, Congres

Iconic skyline and through-station complex at Brussel-Noord

Example Scenarios

1. IC 01 – Coastal Express to Eupen
Oostende → Brussels (Eupen extension) – HLE 18 + I11 coaches
Oostende - Brugge - Gent-Sint-Pieters - brussel zuid - brussel centraal - brussel noord


2. IC service knokke → brussels airport
Brugge - aalter - gent sint pieters- brussel zuid - brussel cebtraal - brussel noord


3. Local Service L Zeebrugge → Mechelen

Brugge → Gent-Sint-Pieters – AM08 Desiro ML, stopping at every local station
Stops: Oostkamp – Beernem – Maria-Aalter – Aalter – Bellem – Hansbeke – Landegem – drongen - Gent-Sint-Pieters

Why Belgium – Why Line 50A?

Unique left-hand operation on mainland Europe

Mix of coastal, rural & urban scenery

Active infrastructure upgrades (4-track expansion + Gent modernization)

Dense traffic variety (IC + S + local + freight)

Distinct Belgian signaling & architecture

Strong community demand

Potential extensions: Brussels ↔ Liège or Gent ↔ Antwerp

❤️ Final Thoughts

> From my heart I’d love to see Belgium represented in Train Sim world 6.
The combination of iconic stations, dense traffic, and realistic operations would make Line 50A an unforgettable route — not just for Belgian players, but for everyone who enjoys true European railway realism.