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BELGIUM | Steam Train Festival returns to Maldegem with anniversary celebrations and restored railway link

Posted by Timothy on

The annual Steam Train Festival in Maldegem in East Flanders by Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo is fast approaching, with organisers reporting that preparations are in full swing ahead of the 2026 edition. The museum site is being readied, rolling stock is undergoing final maintenance, and a full promotional campaign is underway, as the team aims to match or surpass last year’s visitor numbers.

The festival, titled Steam Locomotion 2026, will take place on 2 and 3 May at the museum station in Maldegem, where visitors will be able to experience historic steam trains up close.

100 years of NMBS / SNCB

This year’s edition is marked by several notable anniversaries. Belgium’s railway history takes centre stage, as the country marks nearly two centuries since King Leopold I signed the 1834 law establishing the national railway system, which eventually evolved into the NMBS / SNCB in 1926. 

The festival also celebrates the centenary of the steam locomotive ‘Bébert‘, one of seven operational steam engines that will be both on display and in service, offering rides between Maldegem and Eeklo in historic carriages.

Steam trains have been running from Maldegem as living heritage for 40 years, and this milestone will be reflected in an expanded programme. Alongside train rides, visitors can expect a railway fair, a narrow-gauge train with open wagons, exhibitions of historic and modern trains, and a themed railway bar.

A key highlight of the 2026 festival is the reopening of the restored Balgerhoeke Bridge. The public rides during the event will be the first to cross the renewed structure, following successful test runs in February.

Notable guests

In addition to the home fleet of steam and diesel locomotives, several visiting trains will appear at the festival. Among them is the CFL 1817, a diesel-electric locomotive from Luxembourg based on Belgium’s Class 55, once a familiar sight in the region on international summer services. From Mariembourg, the Chemin de Fer à Vapeur des 3 Vallées will bring locomotive AD.09, now 75 years old and originally used in the Waterschei coal mine.

The narrow-gauge locomotive ‘Peter Pan‘, built in 1922, will also return, while Belgium’s iconic Class 55 diesel locomotives will be represented by unit 5538, recently restored to its original green livery. 

Visitors will also be able to see a modern addition: the first hybrid Vossloh SmartHybrid DE18 locomotive in Belgium, operated by HSL Belgium and nicknamed ‘The Lion‘, which significantly reduces emissions and is used in the Port of Antwerp.

Railtour

Another anniversary being marked is 70 years of Railtour, founded in 1956. The company promoted train travel as an integral part of the holiday experience, offering dedicated services including sleeping cars, couchettes and the famous bar-dance carriage, which will be on display during the festival.

Organisers emphasise that the event, and the major restoration of the Balgerhoeke Bridge, have only been possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers. While progress on the bridge continues, additional financial support remains welcome to complete the project.

Looking ahead, the heritage railway will also host the Railway to Liberty event on 23 and 24 May, while reservations are already open for the popular Orient Dining Express High Tea journeys scheduled for 10 and 31 May.

With a mix of historic milestones, restored infrastructure and visiting locomotives, the Maldegem steam train festival promises a rich programme for railway enthusiasts and families alike.

Heritage and other special trams and trains in Belgium

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