For the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Belgium‘s national passenger train operator NMBS / SNCB is planning a so-called classic train link between Brussels and the capital of France. It will be cheaper than the high-speed line, but also a lot slower.
NMBS / SNCB CEO Sophie Dutordoir announced the plan in in the federal Chamber of Representatives before the Christmas recess. The Belgian Railways, in collaboration with the French railways SNCF, want to run a regular train to Paris during the Olympic Games. Those are scheduled for 26 July to 11 August 2024.
The reasoning is the Eurostar, ex-Thalys, high-speed trains will be filled up quickly. The train travels on the regular rail line, and not on the high-speed line.
Itinerary
The train would call the three main stations of Brussels: Brussels-North, Brussels-Central and Brussels-Midi/South. Then it would stop in Mons, Aulnoye-Aimeries and Creil, before arriving in the Paris after approximately three hours of travel time.
By car, Brussels to Paris is about 3.5 hours, without traffic. Which there always is. The Eurostar does it under 1.5 hours.
Technical details and pricing still need to be worked out. But one can expect I11, I10 and / or I6 railcars to be used for the journey.
CEO Dutordoir warned engineering works at Saint-Quentin Railway Station can throw a spanner in the works. So let’s wait and see.
Future
A more permanent classic connection between Brussels and Paris is being studied. It must be profitable, Dutordoir said.
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That I took a couple times but for the OG better stay home it will be a mess in transports:already is lol!!
Yes. We’re not planning to go 😂.
Wise decision
It will be too crowded to be fun.
yes
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