7th March 2003

Mercia Charters
The Turnabout Intruder

Route :
Z18096 : Bruxelles Midi - Braine l' Alleud
Z18097 : Braine l' Alleud - Bruxelles Nat. Luchthaven
Z18098 : Bruxelles Nat. Luchthaven - Bruxelles Midi

Notes :
(1) 5174 on rear.
(2) 2555 on rear.
(3) not platformed (despite being a booked photostop at the station).

Source : Gary Thornton (on the train throughout)

Tour Review
(by Ian Monkton)

It was quite a surprise to return to Bruxelles Midi after a morning’s line bashing at 1145 to see our train on the screens for 1230, and then only 10 minutes later for it to arrive from the north. After a unit had departed from the adjacent track, there was time for photos of 2555, now leading, and 5174 now at the back, and for participants to choose their seats.

We actually left 13 minutes late after waiting for passengers to arrive on a late-running Eurostar. Progress through the tunnels to Nord was slow, as was travel round the curves to line 28, but once on this line, speed picked up and it was noted that the closed stations on this route still have their platform signs intact and graffiti-free! We slowed for Y Curegem before carefully crossing the flyover at Forest while a Thalys went underneath.

Joining line 124, speed picked up again for a fast run to Braine l’Alleud where we arrived on time for a reversal and photo stop. We left more or less on time, now with 5174 in charge, to Y Linkebeek where we turned off. After a brief pathing stop we joined line 26. Further pathing stops at Y Watermael and Y Diegem Oost kept us on time before joining line 36 where engineering work is being carried out in connection with the new high-speed line.

Then it was the rare diesel-hauled traversal of the line into the airport – possibly the highlight of the tour – where we arrived with over 20 minutes to take photos, although it was rather dark for those of us without tripods! However, the task was made a little easier after the headlights of 2555 were extinguished.

We returned via Zaventem and Y Keelbeek, and past Schaarbeek yards before a photo stop at Schaarbeek station – or not in this case as we stopped on a through road. After a few phone calls, we left early for an early return to Midi station, having scored 2 new engines and a useful number of curves around Bruxelles.

 Ian Monkton

Route, Distances and Timing's (Booked & Actual)
(by Gary Thornton)

A time in brackets is approximate.

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