Train World

Train World is the Belgian railway museum, housed in and beside the historic Schaerbeek station at Place Princesse Elisabeth 5 in Schaerbeek, in the north of Brussels. The museum combines the restored 19th-century station building with a modern hall, and it tells the story of Belgian railways, which opened the first line on the European continent in 1835. The collection includes around twenty steam and electric locomotives and carriages, set out on tracks within the halls so that visitors can walk alongside and, in places, step aboard. A recreation of the first Belgian railway line and period station settings give historic context, while atmospheric displays, models and film presentations add to the story. The architecture of the Schaerbeek station itself, with its ornate waiting areas, is part of the attraction. A visit takes about two hours, and railway enthusiasts often stay longer. Weekday mornings are the calmest times, whereas weekends and school holidays are the busiest, especially with families. Photography is generally welcome, and the large locomotives are especially photogenic. Train World is suited to children as well as adults because many exhibits are open to touch and walk-through, and it has a café and shop on site. Schaerbeek railway station has direct train links, and tram 7 also serves the area, making it straightforward to reach from the centre. The museum is a little outside the main tourist circuit, so combining it with a visit to the Art Nouveau houses of Schaerbeek can make a good half-day itinerary.