Railfanning in Belgium

[Thieu]

Last week, we were in Antwerp, a major harbour city in Belgium. I shot some videos at the central station of this city.

YouTube - Antwerpen Centraal

[Alan]

I love that impressive roof at Centraal station. It is a long time since I was there - really must pay a visit to Belgium again.

Thanks for the video. :)

[Thieu]

The central station has been rebuilt. The old building is being restored, and they bore a tunnel beneath the station and under the city, so that many trains (like the Thalys) can run in and out of Antwerp uninterfered by locals and freights. The station used to have platforms only at level 1, but now the station has also several levels under ground.

Train leaving the station from one of the under ground platforms:

YouTube - Antwerpen Centraal

[Alan]

I have seen many reports of the rebuilding. This is now a much easier to operate station and the expresses do not have to reverse which speeds up the Brussels-Amsterdam trains.

Much other work has been done in Antwerpen, including, unfortunately, the old Dam locomotive depot demolished to make way for the new high speed lines. I had visited Dam depot on several railfan trips and it was a great favourite.