World Trip 2002 - Belgium
Petr,
Jacob, Myself and Ben drove south on the multilane highway to Belgium. Petr
was an excellent driver, getting us there in a few hours. I was surprised
to see us pass Waterloo, where Napoleon had his famous battle. We passed through
numerous road tunnels an on the bypass around Brussels then headed further
south to Charleroi, almost to the French border. I think the French border
was only twenty kilometers away.
After parking in the middle of the city we had lunch and picked up a free map of the city from the town hall which we briefly explored. After some navigation through the town we made our way to the elevated Chet rail station. As there were some workers there we headed out to the next station, Pensee.
Pensee Station building at road level. There was easy access here but some nosy pedestrians made us sneak in further down the line. In all reality we probably could have just walked in but decided that it was better to safe than sorry.
Approaching the station. The peaked shape above the train portals is the station building.
Walking into the station. The track gauge is unusually narrow. Yes, the train signals were still working and on. The track however was covered in trees further back.
A view of the station no passengers will get to see.
It was quite dark down there even though some light leaked in from the sides of the station.
Some sort of control panel,now burnt out. Or possibly an automated ticket machine.
Looking back at the escalators
The abandoned station, city bound. Next train due is headed for oblivion.
At the end of this abandoned station platform we found a toilet block and waiting room. Note the wood paneling on the roof.
Abandoned station, out track. The box in between the tracks is part of the signaling system. I expect it for picking up transponders on the bottom of the light rail trams.
I particularly like this shot of the team as we head out down the line towards the next station.
Looking back towards Pensee station.
Coming back to Pensee on the way back.
Another active signal though it can clearly be seen that the track is well overgrown.
Approaching the tunnel into the next station.
My host and guide
in Belgium was Patr Kazil. His excellent
web site is here.
Jacob also has a great web site with pictures of the Charleroi trip here.
You can read more about the light rail lines of Charleroi On this
site and there is a map
here and here
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