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.
