Han-sur-Lesse TramsHan-sur-Lesse Trams (Tramway des Grottes de Han)Trams in Han-sur-Lesse The Tramway des Grottes de Han, also known as line 521/2 or line 974, is a Belgian municipal tramway line created by royal decree in 1905 and opened to the public on 1 June 1906. Originally it was a connection to the Wellin - Rochefort line of the Wellin group. It linked the centre of the village of Han-sur-Lesse to the Rochers de Faule. Today, this non-electrified metre-gauge line is operated as a tourist destination and serves the Caves of Han. Tramway des Grottes de Han History Created by royal decree in 1905 and opened to the public on 1 June 1906, it was operated only by steam traction (HL type locomotives) from 1906 to 1934, and since then with the help of diesel railcars. However, steam locomotives were still used exceptionally until 1957. Tramway des Grottes de Han Infrastructure The Terminus of Han-sur-Lesse The line was built as a branch of the Rochefort - Willen diesel interurban line, connecting to the latter at the village of Han-sur-Lesse, and initially was a subsidiary of the Willen interurban undertaking. The line was always intended to carry tourists from the village’s transportation hub to the caves’ entrance. The line used to originate from the interurban junction station in the village’s main square, on Rue Joseph Lamotte. Trams then ran through the village via Rue des Grottes. The Rochefort - Willen line closed in 1957. The new track alignment toward Grottes de Han was introduced in 1968, which essentially constituted the new line. Nevertheless, the original stub-end village terminal and the section with the village street running via the original track remained in service. These were replaced in 1989 with a loop next to the village center, and a circular detour along Rue du Grand Hy via the southern periphery of the village and the village park. The Terminus of the Caves From Han-sur-Lesse the approximately 4 km. line runs southeastward, passes the "exit" from the caves, climbs uphill, through the woods, and ends at the caves’ "entrance". The two terminals are the only official stops. Visitors are carried one-way, in the outbound direction only, to the caves only. Visitors navigate back to the village via the caves for about 3 km., and then walk back toward the village from the caves’ "exit". Visitors used to be ferried out of the caves on barges, as the Lesse River flows through the caves, but as of the date of this writing this was no longer practiced. There is no official tram stop at the caves’ "exit", even though trams pass right in-front of it. Inbound trips are completed without passengers. Tramway des Grottes de Han Rolling Stock Five railcars built between 1934 and 1936 are currently in service:
All railcars were equipped with 220 hp 2-stroke 6-cylinder diesel engines of the GM-Detroit Diesel brand. These engines are derived from the engines of the "Sherman" tanks of World War II. In 2014, the AR145 was renovated and equipped with a battery-powered electric powertrain by the LERUTH (bodywork) and Green Propulsion (powertrain) establishments in Liège. The modernization then continued with the AR266 in 2015, 89 and 159 in 2016. The AR145 was assigned to the Wellin group in 1934 (the year of its construction), and it made its first service on the Grottes line in October of the same year. He always remained assigned to the said group, then, from 1957, to the Grottes line alone. It is currently the only one, following a conversion, to be equipped with an automatic gearbox. The rolling stock and track are the property of SRWT, but the operation and maintenance of the equipment is carried out by the Domain of the Caves of Han (formerly by the SA for the Operation of the Vicinal Railway of the Caves of Han) (leasing contract). Trains are generally composed of a rear (ART) and three open "wanderer" cars; even if during less crowded, the AR (ART) sometimes runs alone. The handlamps were built in the 1990s but are rigorous replicas (but equipped with an air brake system) of the original Model 1895 handlamps. They always travel in groups of three cars. Tramway des Grottes de Han Exploitation Opening Hours November - March: 11:30-16:00: 90 min. headway April, September - October: 10:00-12:00; 13:30-16:30: 60 min. headway May - June: 10:00-12:00; 13:30-16:30: 30 min. headway (on weekends and holidays operates until 17:30) Early July: 10:00-12:00; 13:00-17:00: 30 min. headway Late July - August: 10:00-12:00; 13:00-17:30: 30 min. headway Only one train is operated down the line at any given moment. The motor car by-passes its trailers at the outer stub-end terminal. Access by Public Transport The TEC bus no. 29 Jemelle - Wellin - Grupont connects Rochefort-Jemelle station to the centre of Han-sur-Lesse almost every hour, connecting with the Brussels train, including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The Han-sur-Lesse Eglise stop is located opposite the departure of the Han tram. Notes
Tramway des Grottes de Han Network: Wellin Municipal Tramway (formerly) Tramway des Grottes de Han Commissioning: 1906 Tramway des Grottes de Han Rail Gauge: metric Tramway des Grottes de Han Length: 5.4 km Tramway des Grottes de Han Days of Operation: L, Tue, Wed, J, V, S, D | |||||
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