Mercia Charters special train 15th September to Waaslandhave

[M40.216]

All,

I am not sure if this has been posted anywhere on the forum before, apologies if it has.

On Saturday 15th September UK based Mercia Charters is running a special train for railway enthusiasts from Brussels Midi to the Waaslandhaven area of Antwerpen Docks.

The train will depart Brussels Midi 07.50 returning at 19.20.

The main train locomotive will be 6077 assisted by a Type 77 or 57 dependent on which is available to us from B-Logistics. Coaches will be K1 and buffet car provided by TSP.

The day includes booked photo stops within the Waaslandhaven and a visit to Antwerpen Noord depot.

The full route is as follows:

Brussels Midi - Brussels Nord - Schaerbeek - Y. Haren Noord - Vilvoorde - Y. Weerde - Y. Prinsenhoek - Muizen - Mechelen Dijkstraat - Y. Otterbeek - Y. Sint Katelijne-Waver - Y. Duffel - Kontich - Y. Liersesteenweg - Y. Drabstraat - Y. Berchem-Stadion - Y. Noord Groenenhoek - Antwerpen Berchem - Y. Antwerpen Oost - Antwerpen Oost (rev) - Y. Antwerpen Oost - Antwerpen Berchem - Y. Antwerpen Zuid - Zwijndrecht Wijksporen - Y. Zwijndrecht Fort - Y. Kattestraat - Antwerpen-W.H. –B. Kallo - Y. Steenland - Y.Kruipin - Y. Den Beer - Y. Farnese-Zuid - Y- Farnese-West - Antwerpen Liefkenshoek - Y. Geslecht-Oost - Y. Farnese-Oost - Y. Ketenis-Oost -
Y. Farnese-West - Antwerpen Liefkenshoek - Y. Geshlecht-West - Antwerpen Kalishoek - Y. Kalishoek - Y. Krommenhoek - Antwerpen Krommenhoek - Y. Haandorp - Antwerpen Zuid - Y. Koestraat - Y. Kruipin - Y. Den Beer - Y. Ketenis-Zuid - Antwerpen Liefkenshoek - Y. Geslecht-West - Antwerpen Kalishoek - Y. Geslecht-West - Antwerpen Liefkenshoek -Y. Ketenis-Zuid - Y. Den Beer - Y. Kruipin - Y. Steenland - Antwerpen Kallo - Y. Kattestraat - Y. Melsele - Sint Niklaas (rev) - Y. Melsele - Antwerpen Zuid - Y. West Berchem - Y. Oost Berchem - Antwerpen Oost - Antwerpen Schijnpoort - Y. Holland - Y. Driehoekstraat - Y. Schijn - Antwerpen Noord TW -
Y. Schijn - Y. Driehoekstraat - Antwerpen Oost - Y. Noord Berchem - Y. Noord Groenenhoek - Y. Berchem Stadion - Y. Drabstraat - Kontich - Mechelen - Londerzeel - Dendermonde - Schellebelle - Y. Melle - Merelbeke (rev) - Y. Melle - Y. Meulewijk - Y. Welle - Denderleeuw - Ternat - Jette - Y. Bockstael - Y. Laeken - Y. Pont de la Seine - Brussels Nord - Brussels Midi

Mercia welcome participation from Belgian enthusiast on the train and if anyone would like to join the train on the day they may do so. Anyone wishing to join is asked to email team@merciacharters.co.uk and state they are joining and how many people in the party. The cost per person is 90€, yes we understand this is more than is usually paid in Belgium for a train of this nature, but Mercia work on having less passengers on the train than say TSP.

Anyone joining the train for the day may participate in the visit to Antwerpen Noord depot, but you must provide your own high visibility vest. This is a mandatory requirement for this visit, no vest = no visit.

Should anyone wish to join us I will see you on the day.

Regards.

Denzil Morgan,
Train Manager.

[Robin]

at what time its expected to be at Antwerpen-noord?

[M40.216]

From the timings I have currently 1510-16.30, unless Infrabel reissue the Bulletin for the train!

[Bibke]

That info costs € 90.

[M40.216]

Only if you're on for the day

[wattman]

Interesting route, and HV vest available. But I am afraid that I won't make the departure time at Brussels. In any case, thanks for posting this, and I wish all participants a great day!

[M40.216]

All,

Mercia are also running a 2 day event in Hungary based on Budapest on the 13th and 14th of October using an ex-BR Class 56 on the 13th and an ex-BR Class 86 and an ex-DSB NoHAB on the 14th.

Full details are on the Mercia website should anyone be interested. www.merciacharters.co.uk

Regards,

Denzil

[Stef]

Maybe I will look in Melsele: what time will the train pass there?

[M40.216]

Y.Melsele - 13.11
Melsele Rooster O/Q - 13.12
Sint Niklaas 1321 - 1406
Melsele Rooster O/Q - 14.15
Y. Melsele 14.16

[M40.216]

All,

If anyone managed some good lineside photos of The First Duty on Saturday could you please forward them to team@merciacharters.co.uk so they can be included in our website on the gallery pages for the train.

We could see plenty of people on the lineside with cameras so please send them in. All photogrpahers will be credited.

Regards,

Denzil