National infrastructure manager of Belgium

 INFBL - Infrabel N.V.

Network length, gauge and electrification (2021):

Infrabel operates and maintains the Belgian rail infrastructure. The company is a subsidiary of national passenger operator NMBS/SNCB. Infrabel has its own locomotives and measuring cars for track maintenance. New track building is normally carried out by TUC Rail.

In 2022 total passenger traffic amounted 98.22 billion passenger-km. National train traffic was 83.05 million train-km for passenger trains (-0.7%) and 11.07 million train-km (-8.6%) for freight trains.

Website: https://www.infrabel.be/

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Railway Operators in Belgium


NMBS - Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische Spoorwegen
SNCB - Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges

Network length, gauge and electrification (2021):

On 1 January 2005 the "old" SNCB/NMBS was split in a holding company, an operating company (SNCB/NMBS Operations) and an infrastructure division called Infrabel. In 2011 the locomotives and trainsets were divided between SNCB/NMBS Mobility (passenger trains), SNCB/NMBS Europe (international passenger) and SNCB/NMBS Logistics (freight trains).

Since August 2015 locomotives and trains of museum railways are no longer allowed on the national network due to new regulations. Therefore the trains of PFT/TSP can now only operate on their own line (Bocq Railway) and NMBS/SNCB historic locomotives are hardly used.

In 2016 a majority stake in the freight operations of NMBS/SNCB as sold to Argos Soditic, making B Logistics a separate company. In April 2017 this company was renamed into Lineas. In the mean time the Mobility and Europe divisions have merged.

In 2023 244 million passengers travelled with NMBS/SNCB, 7% more than in 2022 but still 4% less than in 2019 (pre-covid).

Website: https://www.belgiantrain.be/

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 CRTS - Certus Rail Solutions NV

Network length, gauge and electrification (2023):

Certus started its operations in 2023 als an open-access operator on the Belgian railway network. They acquired two electric locomotives from SNCB/NMBS.
Certus Rail Solutions is a subsidiary of Dutch rail infrastructure maintenance company Strukton. As its parent company, Certus operates track maintenance trains.

Website: https://certusrailsolutions.be/

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 DB - DB Cargo Belgium

Network length, gauge and electrification (2020):

In 2019 DB Cargo (from Germany) started its own subsidiary in Belgium, which gained a license to operate its own trains in 2020. The locomotives and shunters that are used, are hired from DB Cargo Deutschland/Netherlands and NMBS/SNCB.

Website: https://be.dbcargo.com/

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 LNS - Lineas Group SA/NV

Network length, gauge and electrification (2016):

In 2016 a majority stake in the freight business of SNCB/NMBS was sold to Argos Soditic. This company was renamed from B Logistics into Lineas in April 2017. There is still a strong cooperation between SNCB/NMBS and Lineas, its former freight arm. The French branch used to operate as OSR, but this has now also been renamed into Lineas France. In France Lineas uses locomotives leased from Akiem.

Website: https://lineas.net/

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 RTX - RailTraxx BVBA

Network length, gauge and electrification (2015):

RailTraxx is a privately-owned open-access freight operator based in Belgium. They are licensed to operate trains in Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.
In 2019 RailTraxx was bought by Captrain (SNCF Logistics), after that company lost its license to operate trains in Belgium.

Website: https://www.railtraxx.be/

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 XRAIL - Crossrail Benelux nv

Network length, gauge and electrification (2008):

In 2008 the merger between Dillen & Lejeune Cargo from Belgium and Crossrail from Switzerland was completed. Since 2002 DLC has operated open access freight trains from the port of Antwerp to Germany. In October 2007 it was announced that DLC would merge with Crossrail AG from Switzerland. In September 2009 Jeroen Le Jeune bought 80% of Crossrail, such that Crossrail is now completely owned by Ronny Dillen and Jeroen Le Jeune (as DLC formerly was).

In 2017 the operation of Crossrail in Switzerland was ended. Crossrail Benelux was bought by BLS Cargo from Switzerland in 2019.

Website: https://www.crossrailbenelux.com/

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Last update: 18-03-2024