Permanent exhibition

Welcome to the station

You are most welcome to visit both stations, whose plans date from 1887 and 1913, and which have been completely restored. Each time you'll immediately see how the station architecture meets the new needs of its passengers. Find out how the mythical train was, and remains, an inspiration for many film-makers, artists and writers. And discover more about life behind the ticket counter.

As in days gone by you can still enjoy a snack in the old station restaurant.

A unique site, connected to the city

Schaerbeek station is situated in the middle of the Belgian railway network. Based in the heart of Europe, it lies on the route of Belgium's very first railway track, between Brussels and Mechelen. It is a true gem in Belgian railway architecture. The railway garden connects it with a new industrial hangar.Together with this new museum complex in the form of a sawtooth shape, the Schaerbeek station represents a wonderful symbiosis of old and new in the Art Nouveau heart of Schaerbeek.

Just like the station building, the new hall is connected to the city. Through the glass window you can already catch a glimpse of Le Belge, the first locomotive to be built in Belgium. Inside, from the bridge and mezzanine, there's a wonderful view to be enjoyed over both the city and the tracks.

The history of trains and lines - quite a track record!

Belgium’s railway network is the oldest on the European continent. It developed at a furious pace. Both industry and the state played their part and invested in the development of the network and the building of locomotives.

Five steam engines are here to be admired, including the Pays de Waes, the oldest remaining steam engine in Europe.

You can learn all about the evolution of technology and safety on a real train track. Don't miss the unique film footage about electrification of the line between Brussels and Charleroi!

Time never stands still, except in the attic

Even today clocks remain essential in the world of trains. But did you know that the train itself played a key role in telling the time? It was thanks to the railways and train timetables that all clocks, from Ostend to Arlon, are now synchronised. Would you like to know why? Then pay a visit to Train World.

Time flies by. But when you go into the railway attic it stands still just for a moment. Come and have a browse, and lose yourself in the surprising and mysterious universe of the railway.

From steam to voltage

Steam engines certainly capture the imagination, but electric and diesel engines are also fine examples of technology at its best.
Come and discover the spectacular streamlined type 12 steam engine and the very first electric model MS 35. By their side you'll find the mini of the diesels, the so-called Brossel (MW 551).
You can learn all about the difference between the technologies in a fun and educational way.

A story made by people about people

An authentic railway cottage in Train World. That's unique! It tells the tale of railway men and women who have been active throughout history and, still today, work non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

Outside you'll find huge portraits of these railway folk and the story of the Telemans family. They lived in this very cottage, built for the track foreman. The cottage takes you back to the time of Expo ’58, an era that symbolised progress.

Safety first

Safety is a priority at the railway. But how do they manage it? New techniques bring new opportunities, but people are always crucial.
Come inside the signal station and delve into the evolution of this less known side of the story.

For work and for play, the train is there for all

From the middle of the 19th century trains were already being used to transport workers to and from their work. Commuting is a typically Belgian phenomenon. Not only that, the train also drives tourism and takes people across the borders.

Lose yourself in the world of travellers, the 19th-century worker going to the factory and the business man taking the TEE from one European destination to the next. From the family going on a trip to the sea or the Ardennes to the aristocrat travelling to the exotic east by Orient-Express.

It was a hit with the royal family from day one. No carriages have been preserved from the time of Leopold I, but there are two royal carriages to be admired: one from the time of Leopold II and Albert I and another from the time of Leopold III and Baudouin.

From letters to containers, it's all on track!

Just about anything could be sent door to door using the railway's parcel service. Even a container could be delivered to the door.
Everyone knows of course that goods are transported by rail. To and from the docks, for example. But did you also know that letters were picked up by train? More than that in fact! From 1840 until 1984 post was even sorted in the train. In the post carriage you can see how this was done.

Real works of art

In an engineering world the term 'engineering structures' is applied to bridges, viaducts and tunnels. They can often be far more than that. Sometimes they are real delights, with artistic qualities.
An authentic metal bridge impresses us with its power.  Join us for a walk under and over the bridge and get a unique look at how these structures evolved.

Back to the future

It is said that history repeats itself. However, in the world of trains, nothing could be further from the truth. Travel constantly takes on another dimension, depending on the needs at the time.
End your visit in a first class armchair in a high speed train and get a feel for the future of trains. Three life-sized noses of modern locomotives, designed by Siemens, Alstom and Bombardier, complete the visit to the museum of Train World.