Bruxelles_Ouest_1.jpg (44976 bytes)

Station of Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West. This station was built on the Western Ring (L28, Forest/Forst-Vilvoorde) in the early-70s, in an attempt to offer good connections with the forthcoming Metro network, then under construction. While Metro has eventually come in 1982, the Railway station has never accommodated a single passenger revenue service. This building is thence half-used, as only Metro services call there. Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West. 23rd October 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr).

Bruxelles_Ouest_2.jpg (44466 bytes)

Station of Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West. Whereas the "M" (for the Metro network) is right, the "B" actually stands for nothing, as not a single SNCB-NMBS revenue service has ever called there... Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West. 23rd October 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr).

Bruxelles_Ouest_3.jpg (57908 bytes)

(Island) Platform at the Station of Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West. This platform dates back to the early-70s, and is now rather derelict. Not a single revenue passenger has ever stepped down there. Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West. 23rd October 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr).

Bruxelles_Ouest_4.jpg (58616 bytes)

Tracks (South End) at the Station of Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West. • Left: Metro Tracks (900V DC, live-rail); • Middle: L28, Western Ring (3kV DC, catenary), connecting Forest/Forst with Vilvoorde; • Right: forthcoming Metro segment, under construction. Due to fill the gap between Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation and Clémenceau, this segment will convert current Line 2 into a genuine Circle Line. Metro works have required part possession of L28, with 1 track lifted. Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West. 23rd October 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr).

Bruxelles_Ouest_5.jpg (37066 bytes)

Station of Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West (North End). These tracks are those of L28 (Forest/Forst <---> Vilvorde/Vilvoorde), the Western ring. Prior to the completion of the Jonction Nord-Midi/Noord-Zuidverbinding (1953), all passenger traffic between France and The Netherlands would run there, reversing twice (at Midi/Zuid and Nord/Noord). This pic was made from the (not-so-clean) travolator to the Metro Station of Beekant. Bruxelles-Ouest/Brussel-West. 23rd October 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr).