Line 25: Brussels-North - Antwerp-Central

Belgian Railway Line 25

Brussels-North - Antwerp-Central

The Belgian railway line 25 is a railway line in Belgium connecting Brussels to Antwerp. The section between Brussels and Mechelen was completed on 5 May 1835 and was the first railway in Belgium and the first public passenger steam railway in continental Europe. On 3 May 1836, the second section, between Mechelen and Antwerp, was opened. It was extended to Luchtbal in the north of Antwerp in 2007 by means of a tunnel under the city in order to shorten the route from Amsterdam to Brussels. The total line runs 47.6 km (29.6 mi).

Over most of its length, it is paralleled by line 27 so that four tracks are available. During business hours, line 25 serves fast trains while local trains use line 27.

The line goes through the following stations:

• Brussels-North
• Schaarbeek
• Buda
• Vilvoorde
• Eppegem
• Weerde
• Mechelen
• Mechelen-Nekkerspoel
• Sint-Katelijne-Waver
• Duffel
• Kontich
• Hove
• Mortsel-Oude-God
• Mortsel-Deurnesteenweg
• Antwerpen-Berchem
• Antwerpen-Central
• Antwerpen-Luchtbal

L25N

A recent addition is line 25N, which branches off south of Mechelen to follow the E19 motorway into the Diabolo to Brussels Airport. As of 2019, works are underway to extend this line 25N through the Mechelen station, adding two platforms, to rejoin the "regular" line 25 North of Nekkerspoel station. L25N has 3 kV DC electrification, and allows speeds up to 160 km/h (100 mph).

Belgian Railway Line 25 Overview

Belgian Railway Line 25 Status: Operational
Belgian Railway Line 25 Locale: Belgium
Belgian Railway Line 25 Termini:
Brussels-North railway station
Antwerpen-Luchtbal railway station
Belgian Railway Line 25 Operator(s): National Railway Company of Belgium
Belgian Railway Line 25 Opened: 1835-2007
Belgian Railway Line 25 Line Length: 48 km (30 mi)
Belgian Railway Line 25 Number of Tracks: double track
Belgian Railway Line 25 Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Belgian Railway Line 25 Electrification: 3 kV DC

Belgium Railway Line 25 Route Map

km
              North–South connection
              to Brussels-South

0.0        Brussels-North

             Line 161 to Namur
             Line 50 to Ghent
2.4        Schaarbeek
             Line 36 to Leuven enlarge…
             Line 26 to Halle
7.3       Buda
             to Leuven
             to Dendermonde
20.4     Mechelen
             to Leuven
             to Lier
             Line 59 to Ghent
42.8     Antwerpen-Berchem
            Antwerp–Lage Zwaluwe railway
43.8    Antwerp-Central
           Antwerp–Lage Zwaluwe railway
           Albert Canal
47.6   Antwerpen-Luchtbal
           Antwerp–Lage Zwaluwe railway
           to Roosendaal
           HSL 4 to Rotterdam