In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, some dream of a renewed direct train connection to Switzerland. Basel SBB Railway Station isn’t that far away from Luxembourg. It could be a night train or a day train, both originating in Brussels.
In France, Minister for Transport Jean-Baptiste Djebbari (LREM) recently announced interest in night trains linking European capitals to France. One of those night trains could be Luxembourg – Metz – Nancy – Strasbourg – Montpellier – Perpignan – Barcelona.
Following some parliamentary questions, Luxembourgish Minister for Defense, Mobility and Public Works François Bausch (Déi Gréng) tempered enthusiasm: there are no firm plans.
Brussels – Luxembourg – Switzerland – Italy
Another connection mooted is a night train from Brussels to Luxembourg, Basel in Switzerland and then somewhere in Italy. Turin or Milan perhaps. There again, Bausch tempers enthusiasm.
That night train could be a day train. “A quick daytime connection to Switzerland would be interesting. However, there are currently no concrete projects at the level of European railway undertakings”, Bausch is quoted by Luxembourgish newspaper Wort.
Vauban and Iris
Now, this takes us back to 2016 and earlier. In December 2016 a TGV connection between Brussels- South (Midi) and Strasbourg was launched, ending the long careers of EC Vauban and EC Iris. Those were classic ‘low speed’ intercity trains connecting Belgium to the Helvetic Confederation.
Danny travelled on the Vauban in 2013 and documented the journey. I also travelled on the Vauban that year. It was fun and romantic, but also long, slow and without catering. It used, then not renovated NMBS / SNCB I6 and I10 coaches.
Brussels to Luxembourg
Currently, the trip from Brussels to Luxembourg takes 3 hours and 17 minutes. There are many stops and the maximum speed on lines 161 and 161 are not so high. Geography stands in the way.
So if one wants a quicker service to or from Luxembourg, a train with less stops would be interesting. And an investment in rolling stock capable of higher speeds, such as Pendolino EMU’s.
So for now a renewed Belgium to Switzerland connection is far off.
Luxembourg
- My first Swiss rail trip part 1: the classic route via Luxembourg to Basel.
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Pendolino
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Trip By Trip 
Great! I love trains, thank’s, Timothy.
Keep well.
Elvira
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It’s no surprise we love trains too :).
Keep well.
– Timothy
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Aww! Great! 😊
Take care too!
Elvira
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Hi guys,
Had there been any more news on a possible return of “Iris”, “Vauban” et “Jean Monnet” or anything like that again particularly on the section Luxemburg – Basel?
I understood why they cut the EC Iris und Vauban in April 2016 when the direct TGV started running between Brüssel and Luxemburg, but what I never understood was why they deleted the TER200 295/296 Luxembourg-Bâle SNCF -(the last remnants of the old EC “Jean Monnet” that once also ran all the way to Brussel-Zuid with French Corails), as well?
This has left a gap for more than seven years now as to get to Basel from Luxemburg und vis à vis you now have to take a slow TER to Metz, change and change again at Strasbourg to reach Basel -with quite long waiting times depending on what time of the day you go.
Alternatively there is of course two TGV’s to Strasbourg but both of them depart in the mornng to change again at Strasbourg for TER200.
Previously there were three direct trains each day to Basel from Luxemburg; two EuroCity and one TER200, now zero!
Any developments to speak of on Belgian sideof late?
Also, do you know if all of the IC Wagen have been refurbished now, or is it still possible to enjoy a ride in one of those lovely old 70’s interior brown leather seat compartments?
Dank je wel / merci beaucoup,
Kris
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En sorry voor de typos!
I just noticed, “IC” should of course read “I6” Wagen!!
Bedankt!
Kris
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Hi Kris,
Unfortunately there is no news on the Brussels – Luxembourg – Basel front. Why SNCF isn’t running a (more or less) fast service from Luxembourg to Basel SBB we don’t know. There is also no news NMBS / SNCB has interest in reviving the route.
We haven’t seen an unrefurbished I6 in a while. I6 cars are a quite rare sight anyway.
Rest assured if we hear or read something, we will write about it!
Happy train-ing!
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Dankjewel voor je reactie meneer!
And bedankt for answering back so quick too!!
That’s a pity, we can only luve in hope I guess..
Even if they just reinstate one train pair per day as before -(TER 295/296) and make ot connect with an IC to / from Brussel that would be fine.
What routes do the I6 see service on now with the NMBS?
I do love those old Eurofima wagons..
Do any still make it to Luxembourg and do you guys also know if the I10 “resto” cars still see any further use these days?
The blue one went to Basel and back on the last Vauban and Iris respectively on 02.04.16, I seen the pictures on the rail.lu website I think, but I’ve no idea if NMBS actually operated a restaurant service on board or not on the last day as they stopped running Belgian restaurant cars in the international train traffic about twenty years ago I think?
Maybe you guys know more as you both work for the NMBS as treinbegeleidertreinbegeleiders?!
Hartelijk dank!
Kris
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The I6 can be sometimes seen on the Brussels – Luxembourg and Ostend – Eupen trains.
I haven’t seen the I10 ‘resto’ in a long while. I believe it still exists, but the kitchen is not equipped anymore.
In 2019 a special train consisting of only first class carriages (I6, I10 and I11) was used for the King and Queen. Catering was provided in lunchboxes. The Resto car was not used. https://tripbytrip.org/2019/10/15/special-royal-train-for-king-philippe-and-queen-mathilde-of-belgium-going-luxembourg/
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En sorry voor even more typos there!
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