France, Luxembourg, Belgium & Holland - July 2003

July 2003 was my first taste of European Traction involving a 1200 mile multi country road trip passing through four countries in seven days. Teaming up with Charles Woodland and Wayland Smith (and later Paul Richards) we planned an intensive trip which would allow us to capture some of the busy passenger and freight scenes in each county we visited. After driving to the Port of Dover overnight from the South West we caught the early morning Hoverspeed Seacat over to Calais. From here we embarked on a 300 mile jaunt down to Metz located close to the border with France and Luxembourg.
All of the images in this gallery are scanned from 35mm Slide's taken on my original Minolta 404 Si, at the time of this trip I'd not converted to the digital medium.

Day 1 (14th July 2003): Luxembourg

During the first full day in, we traveled back into Luxembourg to avoid the lack of traffic in France caused by the recent Bastille Day Celebrations. We visited three town locations are Esch-sur-Alzette, Bettembourg, and Berchem before returning to Metz the same evening.

CFL operated Class 2000 Unit No.2003 arrives into Esch Sur Alzette.

Class 260 EMU No.262 arrives into Esch Sur Alzette. These units were originally French and were built in 1970.

CFL Class 2000 Unit No.2019 arrives into Esch Sur Alzette.

CFL Class 1800 No.1806 arrives into Esch Zur Alzteete with a loaded train of steel before being held for local passenger services to pass.

CFL Class 1800 Diesel No.1815 passes through Esch Sur Alzette station light engine.

CFL Class 2000 Unit No.2004 departs from Esch Sur Alzette Station.

CFL Class 1800 Diesel No.1806 passes through Esch Sur Alzette station light engine.

CFL EMU Class 250 No.252 pauses at Bettembourg Station heading for Luxembourg,

Class 1000 shunter No.1002 is pictured at Bettembourg Station while carrying out shunting duties in Bettembourg Yard.

CFL Class 1800 Diesel No.1815 exits from Bettembourg Yard with a rake of ballast hoppers heading north.

CFL Class 2000 EMU No.2001 at Bettembourg.

ME26 No.ME26-12 passes through Bettembourg Station on a heavy aggregate service. The locos were originally built for the Norwegian Railways but were rebuilt by Seimens for use in central Europe.

ME26 No.ME26-12 passes through Bettembourg Station heading South with a rake of flat wagons in tow.

CFL Class 250 EMU's No.251 and 253 depart from Berchem station with a peak commuter service from Luxembourg.

CFL Class 250 EMU's No.252 and 262 arrive into Berchem with a peak commuter service from Luxembourg.

CFL Class 250 EMU No.253 arrives into Berchem heading for Luxembourg.

CFL Class 250 EMU No.255 departs from Berchem heading for Ukange.

CFL Class 1800 Diesel No.1810 passes through Berchem Station light engine.

CFL Class 1800 Diesel No.1814 passes through Berchem Station light engine heading towards Luxembourg.

CFL Class 1800 No.1815 passes through Berchem Station heading for Bettembourg with ballast wagons in tow.

CFL Class 1800 Diesel No.1814 passes Berchem with a steel train heading south.

CFL Class 1800 No.1816 powers north through Berchem with a lengthy aggregate train.

CFL Class 2000 EMU's No.2001 and 2004 arrive into Berchem with a stopping service from Luxemboug.

CFL Class 2000 EMU No.2013 arrives into Berchem with a stopping service from Luxemborug.

Class 3000 CFL Electric Loco No.3004 passes through Berchem light engine.

Class 3000 Electric Locomotive No.3012 departs from Berchem with a peak passenger service operating between Luxembourg and Rodange.

CFL Class 3600 Electric No.3611 arrives into Berchem with a Luxembourg - Rodange stopping commuter service.

CFL Clasds 3600 No. 3611 makes a scheduled stop at Berchem on its return diagram from Rodange to Luxembourg.

French operated Class BB15000 No.115032 'Chambly' arrives into Berchem station.

French operated Class BB15000 No.115051 'Cambrai' arrives into Berchem from Luxemboug.

French Class BB15000 No.115055 'Metz' arrives into Berchem heading for Luxembough.

French Class BB15000 No.115055 arrives back into Berchem Station heading back to Metz from Luxemboug.

SNCF Class BB16500 No.516659 arrives into Berchem with a stopping service from Metz.

SNCF Class BB16500 No.516681 heads for Luxembourg from Metz with a stopping service.

SNCF Driving Trailer at Berchem with the trackside doors open heading for Luxembourg.

Class MB26 No.ME26-12 powers through Berchem Station heading north towards Luxembourg.

Class ME-26 No. ME26-03 passes through Berchem Station heading towards Luxembourg.

Day 2 (15th July 2003): Metz to Namur (Belgium)

During our second day we would be travelling from France, through Luxembourg and into Belgium. Our day started at Maizieres Les Metz station (situated South of Whoppi Yard) before continuing on to Uckange. After Uckange we then entered Luxembourg for a short period before continuing to Namur in Belgium for the night.

A SNCF driving trailer is pictured on a stopping service from Luxembourg to Metz at Maizieres Les Metz.

SNCF BB16500 No.416599 and No.416646 pass through Maizieres Les Metz light engine.

SNCF Fret BB27000 No.427079 passes through Maizieres Les Metz light engine.

SNCF Fret BB27000 No.427055 passes through Maizieres Les Metz with a lengthy mixed freight from Whoppi Yard.

SNCF Class BB25500 No.425104 passes through Maizieres Les Metz having just departed from Whoppi Yard.

SNCF BB15000 No.115037 passes through Maiziere Les Metz at speed heading for Metz.

SNCF BB16500 No.416612 and No.416623 pass through Maizieres Les Metz light engine from Whoppi Yard.

SNCF Fret BB27000 No.427036 passes through Maizieres Les Metz heading south with a loaded ore train.

SNCF BB25100 No.425112 passes through Maizieres Les Metz light engine.

SNCF BB16000 No.416638 No.416609 and No.416750 pass through Maizieres Les Metz.

CFL Class 1800 Diesel No.1810 powers through Maizieres Les Metz heading south towards Metz.

SNCF BB25100 No.425187 hauls a mixed freight south through Uckange heading towards Metz,

SNCF BB26000 No.426193 'Cybic' passes through Uckange hauling a mixed freight south towards Metz.

Industrial Shunters No.1417 and No.1412 arrive into Uckange Station while shunting ore wagons from an adjacent rail facility.

SNCF Z11500 No.11501 arrives into Uckange with a stopping service heading to Metz.

Luxembourg & Belgium

The latter part of the day saw us pass into Luxembourg and later Belgium while on route to Namur for the night. We called off at Capellen, Autelhaut and Arlon on route to view various rail traffic at each of the locations.

Belgian Class 26 & 23 No.2633 and No.2316 pass through Capellen Station with a loaded oil train heading north operating on 3000V DC.

CFL Class 2100 DMU No.2104 departs from Capellen.

Belgian AM66 EMU No.665 & 720 pass through Autelhaut heading for Arlon.

Belgian Class 53 No.5301 and No. 5316 pass through Autelhaut with a train of empty flat wagons.

Belgian AM63 EMU No.228 passes Electric Locomotives No.2705 No.2713 and No.5751 upon arrival at Arlon.

Belgian Class 20 No.2021 is pictured stabled at Arlon.

Belgian liveried Class 20's No.2008 No.2014 and No.2007 are pictured stabled at Arlon.

Belgian Class 26's No.2631 are pictured in a long line of stored locomotives at Arlon.

A long line of Belgian Class 23 Electrics are pictured at Arlon with No.2308 at the end.

Belgian AM96 Unit No.515 departs from Arlon.

Belgian Class 62 No.6287 is seen stabled at Arlon.

Belgian Class 54 & 53 No.5407 and No.5306 arrive into Arlon with a van train in tow.

Belgian Class 53's No.5316 & No.5301 pass through Arlon light engine.

Belgian Class 52 No.5216 is seen stabled at Stokem Works.

Day 3 (16th July 2003) Namur - Roosendaal

Our Third day in Europe saw us awake in a unique hotel in Namur, Belgium. The third day would be spent travelling between Belgium and Holland. Starting in Namur, we worked our way through Belgium, calling at Percot, Leuven, Aarschot, Heist-Op-Den-Berg before driving onwards into Holland ending in Roosendaal.

Belgian AM96 No.520 arrived into Gare De Namur.

Belgian Class 52 Diesel No.5217 passes through Namur light engine.

A triple header of Belgian electrics pass over the girder bridge just outside Namur Station. No.2382 leads Classmates No.2380 and No.2018.

Belgian Diesel No.6243 passes over La Sambre with an engineers train heading for Ronet Yard.

Belgian Class 23 and 26 Electric Locomotives pass through Percot station with a loaded stone train in tow.

Belgian EMU AM96 Class No.925 departs from Percot.

Brand New Class 77 No.7787 is pictured stabled at Leuven Station between duties.

Belgian AM82 EMU No.355 is pictured at Aarschot Station heading south.

Belgian AM63 & AM83 (No.245&431) Units arrive into Aarschot

Belgian AM96 EMU No.938 arrives into Aarschot heading north.

Belgian Electric No.2109 departs from Aarschott with a peak hour passenger service.

A mixture of Belgian Diesels and Electrics are seen at Aarschot Station. No.6240 No.6278 and No.2513

Belgian AM83/83 Units No.355 and No.372 are seen at Heist Op Den Berg Station.

Belgian AM83 No.372 arrives into Heist Op Den Beeg Station.

Day 4 (17th July 2003) - Roosendaal - Rotterdam (by Train)

The fourth day of our trip saw a change of traction. After four days of travel, we switched for a day trip to Rotterdam by train from Roosendaal. Our trip took in some sightseeing and walking around the city before returning to Roosendaal in the evening.

Class 300 No.300650 shunts wagons in Roosendaal Yard, passing the classic Dutch signal box.

Ralion Diesel No.6518 is pictured stabled between duties in Roosendaal Yard.

Belgian Electric No.1183 stands at Rotterdam having arrived on one of the frequent Benelux Services operating between Luxemborg and Amsterdam.

Rotterdam Tram No.722 departs from Rotterdam Central Station.

Rotterdam Tram No.840 arrives into Rotterdam Central.

Belgian AM76 No.817 stands at Roosendaal Station having arrived from Antwerpen.

Thalys No.4344 passes through Roosendaal Station.

Three NS Plan Units stand at Roosendaal Station.

DLC operated European Class 66 No.PB03 passes through Roosendaal Station with a lengthy set of empty automotive wagons.

Day 5 (18th July 2003) - Eindhoven Mainline & Rotterdam Docks

Day 5 was spent back on the line side recording the NS rail system. We spent the morning period on the Eindhoven Mainline between Roosendaal and Eindhoven before moving to Rotterdam Docks to capture some of the freight services operating along some of the various docks lines.
The Eindhoven Mainline is incredibly busy with passenger and rail freight, playing a strategic part of the Netherlands Railways to be able to transport freight between Rotterdam Docks and Germany.

NS Class 1800 No.1853 speeds towards Venlo at Dorst with a regional passenger service.

Railion Class 1600 No.1609 passes Dorst heading west with a lengthy freight heading for Rotterdam.

NS Class 1700 No.1738 arrives into Gilze Rijen Station with a service from Venlo.

NS Class 1700 No.1743 is pictured at Gilze Rijen Station.

Plan VIRM Reigo Runner's No.8452 and No.9412 depart from Gilze Rijen

An unidentified NS Reigonal Sprinter arrives into Gilze Rijen.

Railion Class 1600 No.1616 passes Hulten Cross/ Gilze Rijen with a mixed freight heading east for Venlo.

NS Class 1600 No.1606 passes Hulten Cross/ Gilze Rijen with a container train bound for Rotterdam Docks.

NS Class 1600 No.1602 passes Hulten Cross/ Gilze Rijen with a container train from Rotterdam Docks.

NS Class 1700 No.1745 speeds a passenger service through the Dutch countryside heading west towards Breda from Venlo.

NS Class 1700 No.1773 passes Hulten Cross/ Gilze Rijen heading east with a passenger service to Venlo,

NS Class 1700 No.1775 passes Hulten Cross/ Gilze Rijen heading for Venlo.

NC Class 1700 No.1776 passes Hulten Cross/ Gilze Rijen heading for Venlo.

NS Reigon Runners No.9412 and No.8452 pass Hulten Cross/ Gilze Rijen on route to Venlo.

A pair of Railion 6400's No.6433 and No.6438 speed through Hulten Cross/ Gilze Rijen heading for Rotterdam Docks.

Former British Class 58 No.58039 was at the time operating for Dutch open access operator ACTS. No.5811 is pictured in Zwijndrecht Yard, being attended to by British Engineers from Toton TMD.

Railion 6400 No.6417 'Bob' passes along the Rotterdam Docks line heading towards Zwijndrecht Yard.

Railion 6400 No.6433 'Han' powers a rake of two bogie wagons along the Rotterdam Docks line heading towards the docks.

Railion 6400 No.6449 'John' passes along the Rotterdam Docks line, light engine.

Railion 6500 No.6510 powers two single shipping containers along the Rotterdam Docks line.

Railion 6400's No.6519 and No.6514 double head a mixed train along the Rotterdam Docks line towards Zwijndrecht Yard

Euro Shed Class 66 No.PB01 operated by Shortlines hauls a rake of Geest Bananas out of Rotterdam Docks heading east for Germany.

Day 6 (19th July 2003) - Antwerpen Noorderdokken & Antwerpen

Day 6 saw us begin to make our return back towards the UK, travelling south from Roosendaal we spent the day in the Antwerpen area amongst some of the busiest rail freight centres in Belgium. Antwerpen Docks line of connecting yards and depots encompasses the majority of Antwerpen. We were exceptionally lucky to be be invited to have a tour of the Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard complex by members of staff who realised enthusiasts from the UK were interested in their railway system. The shear size of the operation was staggering, and on one of the hottest days of the trip, we were exhausted by the time we finally arrived at our hotel.

A view of the locomotive stabling sidings at Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard, with Diesel and Electric Traction stabled alongside one another.

Belgian Class 1300 No.1315 is pictured stabled in Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard.

Belgian Class 23 No.2341 and shunter No.7387 are pictured stabled at Antwerpen Noorderdokken.

The new and old are stabled together at Antwerpen Noorderdokken. No.2558 and No.1315 are seen alongside one another.

Belgian Diesel Locomotive No.5101 is pictured stabled at Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard.

Belgian Class 51 No.5105 is seen stabled at the Antwerpen Noorderdokken Maintenance Facility.

Belgian Diesels No.5507 is seen stabled with several others at Antwerpen Noorderdokken.

Belgian Diesel Locoso No.6304 and No.6302 at seen stabled at Antwerpen Noorderdokken.

New Belgian Diesel Locomotive No.7703 is pictured stabled at Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard.

Belgian Shunter No.7208 is seen stored at Antwerpen Noorderdokken.

Belgian Shunter No.7384 is pictured stabled at Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard.

Belgian Shunter No.7394 is pictured stabled at Antwerpen Noorderdokken

Belgian Shunter No.8441 is pictured at Antwerpen Noorderdokken.

New Belgian Class 77 No.7703 is seen stabled at Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard.

New Belgian Class 77 Locomotives No.7800 No.7796 No.7774 and No.7797 are seen at Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard.

Belgian Class 82 No.8261 is pictured stabled at Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard.

Belgian 'Nohab' No.204004 is seen stabled on Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard.

Belgian Shunter No.7410 is pictured traversing the Antwerpen Docks complex.

An Amsterdam - Paris, Thalys service formed of TGV No.4539 passes Antwerpen Noorderdokken Station.

AM86 Unit No.942 arrives into Antwerpen Noorderdokken Station before continuing to Antwerpen Central.

Belgian Class 11 No.1182 passes Antwerpen Noorderdokken on one of the frequent Benelux services between Amsterdam and Luxembourg.

Belgian Class 23 Electric No.2317 passes light engine through Antwerpen Noorderdokken.

Belgian Class 26 Electric Locomotives pass through Antwerpen Noorderdokken Station.

Belgian Class 25 No.2557 passes Antwerpen Noorderdokken on a mixed freight heading into Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard.

Belgian Class 77 No.7764 powers through Antwerpen Noorderdokken with a chemical train in tow.

Belgian Class 25 No.2554 exits from Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard with a mixed freight heading south.

A pair of Belgian Shunters with No.8217 leading pass through Antwerpen Noorderdokken heading into the yard complex beyond the station.

Belgian Class 23 No.2313 leads a container train our of Antwerpen Noorderdokken Yard heading south.

An International Thalys service formed of TGV No.4301 from Paris to Amsterdam passes Antwerpen Noorderdokken.

Day 7 (20th July 2003) - Antwerpen Central & Antwerpen Dam

The 20th July was our final day in Antwerpen, we spent the morning visiting the city, and taking in the stunning Architecture of the Central Station. At the time of our visit the station was being converted into 3 level International Station ready for the introduction of International services. As a result a large amount of building work was taking place to dig beneath the original station to create sub terrain platforms.

Belgian Class 21 No.2139 is seen under the impressive single span station arch at Antwerpen Central.

Belgian Class 13 No.1337 is pictured ready to depart Antwerpen with a long distance passenger service to Brussells.

AM93 EMU No.396 departs from Antwerpen Central Station.

A view of Antwerpen DM Depot which had been cleared in preparation for the International High Speed line development.

An International Thalys Service formed of TGV No.4305 is pictured passing Antwerpen Dam Station.

A view of an abandoned Belgian Railways Test Car at Antwerpen Dam Depot.

An International Thalys Service formed of TGV No.4305 is pictured passing Antwerpen Dam Station.

Belgian AM86 EMU No.923 approaches Antwerpen Dam Station on route to Antwepen Central.