Train World

Did the engineers of the first railway line on continental Europe, right here at Schaarbeek Station, ever envision the magnificent Train World? This museum, built on this historic site, first opened its doors in September 2015. King Philippe himself inaugurated Train World, a testament to its importance to Belgian heritage. Train World isn’t just a museum. It’s a living story, a journey through time spanning over 8,000 square meters. Inside the beautifully restored Schaarbeek Station, the old ticket counters whisper tales of bustling travelers. Scale models of grand stations, like Brussels-Central, reveal their hidden depths. Projections dance on the walls, showcasing the train’s influence on art. Step into the modern hangar and be greeted by a symphony of steam, diesel, and electric giants. The Type 12 steam locomotive, a star of Train World, stands as a testament to 1939 ingenuity. Explore carriages, from the wooden GCI with its whimsical holiday landscapes to the sleek, steel-bodied M1 of the 1930s. Discover a preserved railway cottage, a poignant reminder of life interwoven with the tracks. Train World also houses legendary trains like the Trans Europ Express, a precursor to today’s high-speed marvels. Glimpse into the royal carriages, imagining the journeys of kings and queens. Take the controls in a 1960s diesel locomotive cab or sort mail in a bygone era’s carriage. Ascend to the iron bridge, salvaged from a crossing over the Meuse. From this vantage point, survey the panorama of Train World, then steer a virtual train into the future. Before you depart Train World, consider the “Pays du Waes” steam locomotive, the oldest preserved on continental Europe. It’s a reminder that from the first tracks laid here at Schaarbeek, a world of railway history unfolded, now preserved within Train World.