Double deck IC trains in Belgium (or Netherlands)

ASharpe · 23 Nov 2017

On a bit of an interail trip with the wife and we have spotted a few double deck trains.

Are there any particular routes they run on? We would quite like to try one out.

Our itinerary for the next few days is roughly Bruges to Antwerp then Rotterdam on Friday. Rotterdam to Amsterdam Saturday and then to Brussels on Sunday.

Thanks
ASharpe

RailUK Forums

radamfi · 23 Nov 2017

In the Netherlands, most long distance trains are double deck. Wikipedia shows which routes they are used on:

https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubbeldeksinterregiomaterieel

Also in English, although I haven't checked if the lists are the same.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NS_VIRM

A notable exception is that the faster Rotterdam to Amsterdam train via the high speed line is not a double deck. But you can make that journey the "classic" way via Den Haag on a double decker.

eastwestdivide · 24 Nov 2017

In Belgium, I've ridden double-deckers on Bruges-Brussels and Brussels-Antwerp, but not all trains on those routes are DD.

Quakkerillo · 24 Nov 2017

From my personal experience, double-deck trains are - generally - expected in Belgium on at least the following routes:
Kortrijk - Brussel - Welkenraedt
Charleroi - Brussel - Antwerpen
Brussel - Luxemburg
Genk - Brussel - Blankenberge/Knokke
They also frequently run the following services, but above is almost >80% double-deck:
Brussel - Antwerp - Essen
Brussel - Namur - Liège
And less frequently on:
Brussel - Turnhout
Antwerpen - Gent - Oostende
Eupen - Brussel - Oostende
Landen - Brussel - De Panne

urpert · 24 Nov 2017

Agreed, Brussels-Antwerp is probably your safest bet (given the frequency of the IC trains on this route).

92002 · 24 Nov 2017

Quakkerillo said:
From my personal experience, double-deck trains are - generally - expected in Belgium on at least the following routes:
Kortrijk - Brussel - Welkenraedt
Charleroi - Brussel - Antwerpen
Brussel - Luxemburg
Genk - Brussel - Blankenberge/Knokke
They also frequently run the following services, but above is almost >80% double-deck:
Brussel - Antwerp - Essen
Brussel - Namur - Liège
And less frequently on:
Brussel - Turnhout
Antwerpen - Gent - Oostende
Eupen - Brussel - Oostende
Landen - Brussel - De Panne

From my personal experience Oostende - Brussel -Eupen are the exception, rather than the rule. Most trains are single deck

Similarly Brussels - Luxembourg are onlt Double Deck in the peaks. These are usually a number of single deck units coupled together

Quakkerillo · 24 Nov 2017

92002 said:
From my personal experience Oostende - Brussel -Eupen are the exception, rather than the rule. Most trains are single deck

About 20-25% runs as a double decker from what I experienced commuting Leuven-Brussels.

92002 said:
Similarly Brussels - Luxembourg are onlt Double Deck in the peaks. These are usually a number of single deck units coupled together

This might be a bias by me then, as I frequently use them, but only in peak periods, and I can't remember having not had a double decker! (I live near Brussels-Luxemburg station myself).

ASharpe · 24 Nov 2017

Thanks all. Not sure if the wife would make a special trip but I can probably work something out from what Quakkerillo posted.

I'll let you know how we get on.

Antwerp was worth a visit for the station itself.

urpert · 24 Nov 2017

asharpe said:
Thanks all. Not sure if the wife would make a special trip but I can probably work something out from what Quakkerillo posted.

I'll let you know how we get on.

Antwerp was worth a visit for the station itself.

Antwerp is a splendid city. From a transport point of view, the PCC trams and the foot tunnel under the Schelde are both fun.

Spoorslag '70 · 24 Nov 2017

I might be a bit late to the game. Dutch stock can be found in Real-Time via https://www.rijdendetreinen.nl/ or https://www.ovtijden.com/ (or using the NS site itself).
Prinicipal Routes (for VIRMs) in NL: Alkmaar-Amsterdam\Schiphol-Utrecht-[Arnhem-Nijmegen]/[Den Bosch-Eindhoven], the Amsterdam-Den Haag-Rotterdam-Dordrecht Corridor (including ICs to Zwolle and the North) and some services on the "Ijssellijn" (Series 36, Roosendaal-Zwolle). There are some older (modernised) coaches as well: DDZ on various services (e.g. Amsterdam-Enkhuizen), loco-hauled on some peak trains and between Apeldoorn and Enschede. Special formations are automaticly collected on this website https://actutrein.nl/opvallend/live.php (it is indeed the best part of cryptic at first).

Belgish working can be found http://beluxtrains.net/indexen.php?page=searchrollingstock here (planned formations). Double deck stock types are either M5 (bit older) or M6 (newer).
Principal routes in BE are indeed Genk-Coast via Brussel-Gent St. Pieters-Brugge (portion working to Knokk&Blankenberge), "THE SOUTH"-Brussel-Antwerpen(-Essen), Bergen-Brussel-Luchthaven Zaventem and Welkenrath-Kortrijk.

ASharpe · 25 Nov 2017

We are on one now. First class on the top deck. A bit disappointed there are no plug sockets.

Enjoying the views over the fields and dykes/canals.

There is also a noticeable side to side swaying motion but my beer is mostly staying in place. Far better ride ride than you'd get on a pacer.

Groningen · 25 Nov 2017

Sideways motion in a VIRM is often (always) the heaviest where you use the 2 doors to get to the new carriage/wagon. The balcony; the area behind (and between) the outer doors to exit and step in.

duesselmartin · 25 Nov 2017

German IC double deckers are also known to sway. Must be design in a restricted loading gauge.

MisterT · 25 Nov 2017

asharpe said:
We are on one now. First class on the top deck. A bit disappointed there are no plug sockets.

Enjoying the views over the fields and dykes/canals.

There is also a noticeable side to side swaying motion but my beer is mostly staying in place. Far better ride ride than you'd get on a pacer.

Sounds like an older VIRM. The newer VIRM4 and the refurbished VIRMm have some changes addressing the bit too heavy side-to-side swaying motion and they have plug sockets in the first class.

TheSeeker · 27 Nov 2017

There should be a power socket near the first single seat. Used by the cleaners I think.

MisterT · 27 Nov 2017

Correct and it should not be used for charging mobile phones (or other things). That plug socket doesn't have a voltage limiter and the power is likely to fluctuate out of range when the train is on the move.

175mph · 13 Mar 2018

I've used a double decker IC train when travelling from Luxembourg to Brussels.

92002 · 13 Mar 2018

Says that in #4 although they tend to be used only in the peaks.

317666 · 13 Mar 2018

duesselmartin said:
German IC double deckers are also known to sway. Must be design in a restricted loading gauge.

I find that very odd seeing as the Regio double deckers are some of the smoothest-riding coaches I've ever been on!

For future reference, this site is a goldmine for Belgian or Luxembourgish train formations: http://www.beluxtrains.net/indexen.php

Edit: Oops, didn't see it had already been posted above!

Groningen · 21 Mar 2018

Groningen - Rotterdam (depart 18)/Den Haag (depart 48) has a lot of DDZ now. Before the change of timetable in December 2017 it was mainly VIRM. Maybe because the are now rebuilding the VIRM trains. At ovtijden.com one see each material used with often even the trainnumber(s). At this moment one can look back to November 11, 2013.

Double deck IC trains in Belgium (or Netherlands)

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