Train World, Brussels Travel Guide

Train World, the official museum of the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB), is more than just a train museum; it's a 'train opera'. Situated in the art-nouveau Schaerbeek railway station, the museum takes visitors on a journey through the history of Belgian railways, from its earliest days to the present and beyond. The museum boasts over 8,000 square meters of exhibition space, displaying 22 locomotives and 1,200 other railway-related objects. Among the highlights is the 'Pays du Waes', the oldest preserved locomotive in continental Europe, dating back to 1845. Visitors can also explore royal cars, step inside stainless steel TEE cars (precursors to high-speed trains), and even try their hand at driving a train in an interactive simulator. The museum also showcases a collection of paintings by Belgian surrealist Paul Delvaux, a train enthusiast.Designed by comic book artist François Schuiten, Train World breaks the norms of museum display conventions, offering a theatrical and engaging experience. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the past, present and future of train travel. Train World is fully accessible to people with limited mobility and offers resources for visitors with visual or auditory impairments.