The Belgian national rail operator NMBS / SNCB is under mounting pressure over its planned order of new trains from Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), as political debate, legal challenges and international criticism threaten to delay the procurement.
Tag: Alstom
2025 | The Channel Tunnel prepares for more trains, more competition and new destinations
From Berlin to Geneva and beyond, so far – it’s July when this is written – 2025 has seen a wave of announcements shaping the future of international train services to and from the United Kingdom.
BELGIUM | NMBS / SNCB confirms CAF as preferred bidder for AM30
On 23 July 2025, Belgium‘s state-owned railway company NMBS / SNCB has reaffirmed Spanish train manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) as the “preferred bidder” for its major train order, despite ongoing criticism from trade unions and politicians over the impact on local employment.
Alstom wants its double-decker trains to ride through Channel Tunnel
French train manufacturer Alstom has confirmed that it is in discussions to supply its high-speed double-decker Avelia Horizon trains for use through the Channel Tunnel. While no contract has yet been signed, the move could significantly reshape rail services between London and mainland Europe, particularly on the heavily trafficked London–Paris route.
LUXEMBOURG 2025 | Schengen – European quarter Kirchberg – City Museum – Diekirch – Alstom Coradia Stream HC
We haven’t travelled to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since 2018 and 2019, but in January 2025 we returned to get a taste of the Alstom Coradia Stream HC which the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL) runs under the name Série 2400. The Coradia Stream HC was a candidate to become NMBS…
TRAINS IN LUXEMBOURG | CFL’s Alstom Coradia Stream HC ‘Série 2400’
We haven’t travelled to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since 2018 and 2019, but in January 2025 we returned to get a taste of the Alstom Coradia Stream HC which the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL) runs under the name Série 2400. The Coradia Stream HC was a candidate to become NMBS…
REVIEW | Conservatoire National de Véhicules Historiques & Musée d’Histoire de la Brasserie de Diekirch car and beer museums in Diekirch, Luxembourg
We haven’t travelled to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since 2018 and 2019, but in January 2025 we returned to get a taste of the Alstom Coradia Stream HC which the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL) runs under the name Série 2400. The Coradia Stream HC was a candidate to become NMBS…
Spanish CAF to provide trains for NMBS / SNCB AM30
Train manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) from Spain is said to have won a major contract to build hundreds of new AM30 / MR30 electric multiple units (EMU) for Belgian railway company NMBS / SNCB. The CAF Civity Duo then could be a base for the AM30.
Farewell to the NMBS / SNCB AM66 ‘Klassiekje’ or ‘Classique’
On Saturday 14 December 2024, Train World is running a farewell tour for the NMBS /SNCB Classical Twin EMUs, as Wikipedia calls the AM66 or MR66. Train staff call these Klassiekjes or Classiques. Sometimes in French Doubles. The farewell tour is sold out.
REVIEW | On board the NS ICNG-B on the Brussels – Antwerp – Rotterdam – Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam – Lelystad route
Benelux, Amsterdammer or Brusselaar. The intercity train service linking Brussels in Belgium to Amsterdam in the Netherlands has many names and has a long history. From December 2024, there will be two Benelux trains per hour. The ‘IC Snel‘ (‘IC Rapid‘) and the ‘IC Traag‘ (‘IC Slow‘). Those names are said to be temporary. The…