Railway festival 2026

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In addition to the material of our association (PFT), circulation and/or exhibition of old and modern locomotives, coaches and wagons of companies*

Locomotives in service on 12, 13 and 15 August 2023

Coaches

Mitropa + Halberstadt + I5 sleeper + generator van;
2 M1 coaches + 1 K coach;
3 K coaches.
Locomotives
Type 5205 diesel locomotive – PFT
Type 5184 diesel locomotive – PFT
Type 6106 diesel locomotive – PFT
Type 7799 diesel locomotive – Infrabel
Type DE18 diesel locomotive – HSL Belgium

Ciney (main arrival station for participants at the Fête du Rail)
Exhibition of modern rolling stock *

I6 carriages (1st class): reception and information stand
SNCB SR3 “Disco-Bar” carriage (in “New Look” livery and renamed “Lounge”): disco atmosphere + drinks and snacks on sale
SNCB I10 “Resto” carriage (in “New Look” livery): pizzas on sale
I6 carriages (1st class): reception and information stand
SNCB M7 BMX motorised control carriage;
SNCB type 18 electric locomotive
electric locomotive (Traxx or Vectron) + DB Cargo type 6400/6500 diesel locomotive (to be confirmed)
HSL Belgium type DE18 “The Lion” 4185 202 locomotive
Infrabel HLD 7799 diesel locomotive
Infrabel ES900 catenary railcar
Infrabel ES201 survey railcar

Traxx MS3 CFL Cargo electric locomotive

Spontin:

Exhibition of historic railway rolling stock
Exhibition and activity stands: wooden games, appearance by SNCB guide Ilyas Alba, etc.;
Stand run by Ilyass Alba, railway content creator (77,000 followers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilyass2s)
Drinks on sale (under the marquee) and sausage rolls (barbecue)
Train driving simulator(s)
Model railway layout + brick model ©LEGO
Stand run by the Explore Meuse Tourist Office

Discovery tour of the area around Spontin and the Bocq Valley aboard the historic VanHool A120/MAN bus no. 8249 from the MTUB.*

Dorinne:

• In front of the station, a static display of trains on the 60 cm gauge line

Purnode:

• Discover the most beautiful spot on our Line 128 railway

Bauche:

• Regional market run by the village residents

*subject to confirmation

The Railway Festival takes place at several locations along the railway line. Here are three suggested itineraries to help you enjoy the different activities.

Route 1 – Train & hike

• 10:02 – Arrival by train from Namur at Ciney
Discover the modern railway rolling stock and enjoy an aperitif in the disco-bar coach.

• 11:35 – Train Ciney → Spontin (arrival 11:57)
Historic railway rolling stock, train simulator and model trains. At lunchtime, enjoy the barbecue and bar, as well as the “wooden games village”.

• 14:15 – Train Spontin → Bauche (arrival 14:42)
Small regional market and wooden mini-golf.

• From Bauche – Waymarked walks
Several walking routes available on your smartphone allow you to reach Purnode, Dorinne or Spontin on foot (see website – Suggested walks from station to station).

• Last trains: Purnode 17:37 • Dorinne 18:30 • Spontin 19:00.

Route 2 – The Railway Festival Grand Tour

• Around 10:00 – Arrival at Ciney by car or train
Discover the modern railway rolling stock and enjoy an aperitif in the disco-bar coach.

• 11:35 – Train Ciney → Spontin (arrival 11:57)
Historic railway rolling stock, train simulator and model trains. Barbecue, bar and the “wooden games village”.

• In Spontin, you can also enjoy a ride aboard a historic bus operated by the MTUB association.

• 15:15 – Train Spontin → Bauche (arrival 15:42)
Small regional market and wooden mini-golf.

• Return to Ciney: last trains at 18:12 from Bauche or 19:00 from Spontin.

Route 3 – Starting from Spontin

• Arrival by car at Spontin (Please note: parking is limited.)

• 10:15 – Train Spontin → Dorinne-Durnal (arrival 10:25)
Discover the 60 cm narrow-gauge railway.

• 11:28 – Train Dorinne-Durnal → Bauche (arrival 11:42)
Small regional market and wooden mini-golf.

• 13:12 – Train Bauche → Ciney (arrival 14:25)
Discover the modern railway rolling stock and enjoy an aperitif in the disco-bar coach.

• 15:35 – Train Ciney → Spontin (arrival 15:57)
Round off your day with a snack and a drink at the bar, wooden games and the train simulator.

• Purnode -> Bauche : https://www.routeyou.com/nl/route/view/19564971

• Purnode -> Spontin : https://www.routeyou.com/nl/route/view/19564989

• Bauche -> Purnode : https://www.routeyou.com/nl/route/view/19565012

• Bauche -> Spontin : https://www.routeyou.com/nl-be/route/view/19239595,

• Purnode -> Dorinne : https://www.routeyou.com/fr-be/route/view/19555544

• Dorinne -> Purnode : https://www.routeyou.com/fr-be/route/view/19555562

• Bauche -> Yvoir : https://www.routeyou.com/nl-be/route/view/19564896

• Yvoir -> Bauche : https://www.routeyou.com/nl-be/route/view/19564881

Please note! Some of these routes have limited or no mobile phone coverage. Remember to download your route before you set off.

• Dates: 15 and 16 August 2026 – Trains run from 9am to 6pm
• Buying your tickets online is highly recommended to limit queues and to save you money (buying tickets online (including fees) is always cheaper than buying them on site (when possible).
• Payment via this site or on the spot at the Spontin reception point by credit card or in cash.
• Access by car
  • via Ciney (station car park) then on the Chemin de Fer du Bocq trains (platform 5).
  • Please note! Parking in Spontin is limited! Free parking is available in Spontin.
• Access by public transport:
  • via Ciney, changing between the Namur <–> Luxembourg IC trains and the Chemin de Fer du Bocq trains (platform 5).
  • Via Yvoir, connecting with trains between Namur and Dinant or Libramont : Via a 6 km walk through the Bocq Valley.
• The activities, traffic and trains on display or running may be changed without notice and no refunds will be given.
• Information regarding the absence of steam locomotives:Due to the persistent drought and the very high risk of fires breaking out along the tracks, it has been decided that, exceptionally, the Railway Festival will go ahead without the steam locomotives originally planned. We realise that this announcement may disappoint steam enthusiasts.

  We are also aware that other organisations have chosen to go ahead with steam train services. However, each line has its own specific characteristics. The layout of our line makes the risk particularly high and complicates access for the emergency services should the need arise. These factors mean we must adopt a particularly cautious approach.

  The safety of passengers and volunteers, and the protection of the environment, remain our priority.

  We wish you all a wonderful Fête du Rail!

  The PFT-TSP Board of Directors

General timetable: follow this link