Luxembourg to Liège, through the Ardennes scenery
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- Leaving the beautiful Luxembourg station, we head north right through the countryside of Luxembourg and then over the border into Belgium for the run into Liège.
These lines, constructed in the 19th century, closely hug the river valleys as the train climbs up through the Ardennes, before coming back down into the iconic Liège-Guillemins station.
Even through the rain, there's scenery a-plenty on this rather special international ride with Belgian railways.
Departure: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Destination: Liège-Guillemins
Operator: SNCB
Date of Travel: December 2023
Distance: 160 km / 99 miles
Duration: 2 hrs 39 mins
Average speed: 60 km/h 37 mph
Motive power: SNCB Class 08 Desiro EMU
Built: Siemens / Bombardier (2011-2016)
Example Costs:
+ First Class single €25,50 / £22.00
+ Second class single €14,60 / £12.60
+ I was travelling with a 1st Class Interrail 10 days in 2 months ticket
Thank you to everyone that supports the channel by subscribing, liking, commenting or just watching these videos. I really appreciate it!
A day ticket for first class costs € 6,00
Damn - yes it does! That was a silly error. Thank you for pointing it out. 👍
And you can get a first-class ticket valid for 2hrs for just €3 - useful if the train in one direction (on line 10) is operated by SNCB stock but CFL stock on the return (which have decent 1st class). Trains on this route in Luxembourg alternate - one by SNCB to/from Luxembourg Central & Liege, followed by a CFL train between Troisvierges - Luxembourg Central. But honestly, the trains and journey are so good why pay? I love this route to Liege and feel lucky to be living in the north of Luxembourg surrounded by such beauty. @@JohnnyHooverTravels
I have done this route a lot since the '80's. It was diesel all the way and in a proper loco hauled train with much better coaches and seating. Making the line electric was good since it reduced the yourney by 30 minutes. But SNCB now provides the rolling stock wich are good for stoppingtrains around Brussels. But not on this line, as you have noticed. You are not the only one that dislike these units..
Yes, it is a shame they use these units. Thank you for watching 👍
@Keikdv I agree. Liege / Luik to Luxembourg is one of my top 20 scenic lines in Europe. But since the SNCB / NMBS Class 55s disappeared, I have not done it since !
Pleasantly surprised to see a video on this line!
A shame though that you weren't able to capture what is in my opinion the scenic highlight of the line, namely Bourscheid castle rising 150 meters above the Sûre valley and the traintracks.
Never tire from seeing such a spectacular sight everytime I use the line!
Next time be sure to sit on the left side in direction of travel coming from Liège heading to Luxembourg and the castle will appear just after the stop in Goebelsmühle and two further tunnels.
In the opposite direction heading to Liège and originating in Luxembourg, I still prefer being on the left side but facing back to the direction of travel, where the castle should appear shortly after Michelau.
Hopefully I will remember that for the next time I return. I had a lovely time in Luxembourg and would like to return in the summer to further explore the uplands that the train passed through.
Thanks so much for watching and for that very helpful advice 👍
The times I travelled to Liege, there were always crew changes in Troisvierges, with a ticket inspection before the border crossing
@@irnakkgd6364 that certainly makes sense.
Thanks for watching 👍
Looks a lovely part of the world, even in the rain!
Yes indeed. It is wonderful. I would very much like to return.
Thanks for watching 👍
I love the Class 2000 appreciation! I used to ride them every single day on my way to school. Sadly they're being retired starting this year.
Oh dear. I may miss getting a ride on one unless I go back soon!!
Thanks for watching 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels If you do, don't expect to see much out of your window, some of them look like they haven't been cleaned since the 90s...
The usual Johnny Hoover fare is just my cup of tea! Luxembourg station is a gem! I think I have some catching up to do. Have just got back this evening form Italy where I did a day excursion form Verona to Innsbruck; a real adventure! 3X! is my max!
Thanks Colin. And Verona/Innsbruck is definitely on my list of things to do. I was actually thinking of flying into Innsbruck and then working my way down from there through Italy in maybe March or April. I will have some Interrail days to use up 😁
I think the EJ Bristol Innsbruck flights stop before April.
I love this video. Makes me realise what a beautiful country I live in.
Thank you!
Ps: I think the only advantage of 1st class is that it's less crowded during rush hour where there is a sheer crazy amount of commuters and students on these trains.
Thank you. How lovely of you to be so kind. I really enjoyed being in your home country 👍
Doing that one this weekend. Aachen-Liege-Luxembourg
Brilliant! Have a great time!
and thanks for watching my journey 👍
Once again I’m really surprised how hilly it is in that neck of the woods. Definitely worthy of an exploration. Another cracking route. Many thanks
It was really lovely. I'm harbouring a loose plan of maybe going back in the summer with my tent!
Best wishes to you and, as ever, thank you so much for watching another 👍
Nice video !
Orginally the Desiro compositions weren't meaned for long distances but for short distances around cities with a lot of stops (therefore there is only 1 WC on board) Unfortunately the SNCB use them on the whole network, even for long distances.
@@willempipo thanks! Yes, they really should be using better rolling stock.
Thanks for watching 👍
I rode it again last Monday Johnny from Liège to Luxembourg for only €13.60 single trip from Maastricht. I then continued to Trier where my monthly €49 Deutschlandticket kicked in once I had crossed into Germany. The Ardennes trip plus the Moselle Valley from Trier to Koblenz were two very affordable journeys, in addition to the Rhine-hugging trip between Koblenz and Cologne. I wanted to take a look at Göring's carriage at the DB Museum in Koblenz (recommended by Mark Felton) but it's open only six hours a week on Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00.
I will certainly taking part in the Deutschland ticket myself in coming months. But for now i need to rest my feet after a number of Interrail travels!
Thanks for the update and for keeping along with the channel 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels One more thing Johnny, you should visit Schengen the next time you're in Luxembourg.
Looks like they spent all the station money on Liege! I love that scenery, but every time I've been in that part of the world, that has been the weather, spring, fall and winter!
haha - hopefully the next time one of us returns the sun will shine!
Thank you so much for watching 👍
Great Video! I've actually followed this route in a car a number of years ago when my Dad and I went to Europe for an adventure where we rented a car and spent two weeks driving around the French, Belgian, and Dutch countryside trying to follow the route of where my Grandfather had gone during WWII as an Ambulance driver/mechanic. We were having lunch in Spa (having done all of our planned adventures for the day) and decided on a whim to go first drive around as much of the old Spa-Francorchamps race track as we could and then go to Luxembourg just to say we had been to Luxembourg! We followed the railway line from Trois-Ponts into Luxembourg, it is indeed a really scenic part of the world!
What a great story! Thanks! and thank you so much for watching too. Best wishes 👍
What a beautiful journey even on a rainy day. As always, your informative narration added to the fun.
Thanks Tim. Nice of you to say 👍
Another excellent video from yourself Johnny. The route from Luxembourg to Liege looked very scenic and I lost count of the times your route took you over the numerous rivers, really beautiful countryside even in the rain! And, yes, great idea of yours to maybe go camping in the summer. Looking forward to seeing your video on Liege, as every spring time, one of the 1 day world tour cycling race takes place in the Ardennes region of Belgium, namely “Liege-Bastogne-Liege, it’s great watching as the scenery is so varied.
Thanks. I'm just editing the Liège video for release on Friday. Hope you like that one too.
@@JohnnyHooverTravelsI’m sure I will😊😊
Another solid and very nicely done video. Like your EXTREMELY British narrative and sense of humour a lot.
Keep up the good work!
Yes, I think it is fair to say that the commentary and humour is very British... but then, that is where I'm from 🤷🏻♂ I'm pleased it makes you smile. Thanks for sticking with my stuff. 👍
When I visited Europe back in 2016 to 2017 I did ride quite a bit of the SNCB Class 08s, in face it was the first train I rode on in Belgium, Liege station in the video is nice and modern, been there once and it perfect shade during the heatwave weather i had in May 2017. Great video
Thanks Simon. Yes, I can imagine Liège to be cool on a hot day. It was also fine in December, although the wind wasn't blowing, so that probably helped. Compared to similar regional EMUs in France, I'd say the Class 08s are not quite as comfortable. Although, of course, they certainly do the job OK.
Liège Station looks amazing. I am looking forward to the Station Review.
I trip from Liège to Antwerp would capture two amazing stations.
It has been many years since I was in Antwerp, but they were constructing multiple platform below the original platforms so trains could pass under the station,
And the Station itself it the most decadent I have seen.
Next week I will spend a lot of time at Liège, so watch out for that. I didn't get to Antwerp on this trip, but I most definitely will on the channel in the future. You can be sure of that!
Thanks for watching 👍
We had to go and research the Liege station roof - it`s a multi coloured vinyl art installation by Daniel Buren. How cool is that!
Excellent vid, thank you. Everything you share is so enjoyable and all round top quality :)
Yes. Next week I'll spend quite a long time at Liège. Daniel Buren's installation was supposed to end Oct 2023, but got extended until June 2024. I'm so pleased they did that so I was able to see it and share it with you.
Liege / Luik to Luxembourg via Gouvy is one of the top scenic lines in Europe. I used to do it regularly but I have not been back since they took away the SNCB / NMBS Class 55 diesel loco hauled passenger trains. Even done this line in deep snow.
I quite fancy returning on a lovely day, just to repeat the ride even if I am not recording it for the channel. I really enjoyed it too!
And thank you so much for coming along on this video 👍
They modernised the line, straightened out some of the curves, made the line single-track for that purpose, electrified it... It's more future-proof, now, but a little bit of that old-timey charm is gone, I'm afraid. Especially since the rolling stock is now full Desiro, and the SNCB Desiro is really set up for suburban rides and rides with lots of frequent stops, not an IC relation that takes over 2.5 hours.
But the scenery is still as great as ever.
Nice video already looking forward to the next one- no rest for you
Thanks! you're right. I'm just taking a break from editing the next one to type this reply to you! Be prepared for some great shots of Liège (but also Maastricht and Den Bosch for that matter)
Excellent
Thanks 👍
Good video
Thank you
Nice route!! Think I'm gonna fit this one in my 15 days in 2 months
Yes do! - and I hope you get better weather!
Thanks for watching another 😀
👍Good stuff
Thanks 👍
Hey JH! Great trips. I’m vicariously travelling with you due to a blip with a cancer diagnosis😶🌫 Your great travellings (is that a word?) are giving me such solace! One day soon I’ll be back out searching to find all the places that you recommended. My daughter and I (home schooled--now working😃) travelled widely as part of her mind broadening education. Your lovely, gentle and informative approach is very appreciated. Keep going……please. P
Thank you for your lovely comment, it is very much appreciated. And I'm so pleased I can help you by providing some light relief from what must be a very difficult time for you. Please accept my very best wishes to you and your family ❤️
I honestly thought that route would be flat and boring. Huh. Looking forward to the Liège review next week. Cheers.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect either, although I could see from the maps that the train had to go up and over the Ardennes. I really would like to return to this area again in the summer.
I'm just editing the Liège video... it really is a cool station!
The scenery is stunning and green
but the greenery comes from the large amounts of rain.
Our experiences of Liège-Guillemins have not been good
mostly because the station was designed for somewhere dry
like Valencia.
In rainy Wallonia - it is a nightmare to find dry places
and the concourse underneath felt dingy
It looks stunning but it is high on my "won an award but is impractical" building list
@@johncrwarner I do see what you mean wrt L-G station.
A good crosswind would definitely bring the rain in.
Same would be true at Lisbon Oriente. (Just less rainy days as you say)
However, I can put up with those practical issues just to gaze upon the beauty of it all.
Best wishes to you 👍
@@JohnnyHooverTravels
Another delight -
Bahnhof Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe
known as the Palace of a Thousand Winds
because it funnels the wind into the station
so no matter where you stand it is FREEZING
it won an award too!
Nice one JH 👍
Thanks Kevin 👍
of course Luxembourg can afford that
Best hurry up if you want to ride one the old EMUs. They are going to get withdrawn before long.
Ah ok thanks for that!
And thanks for watching too! 👍
It's this ride always with a Desiro?
I think it is sometimes loco and coaches. You can check on vagonweb.cz for likely train compositions.
Thanks for watching 👍
Since a few years, it's always with Desiro, but if you are sick of them (and for the length of this journey, I don't blame you), on the Luxembourgish part (Luxembourg-Troisvierges), the SNCB Desiro is alternated with a decent CFL Dosto, so you could leave half an hour earlier from Luxembourg on the CFL train, wait for half an hour (and a snack) in Troisvierges, and you are only 'enjoying' the bare-bones experience of a Desiro for half or the ride.
@@barvdw good advice 👍
a desiro from the nmbs is very low quality becaus they needed to make a cheap train
@@OVDELIJNNMBS oh well. The scenery was still great!
Thanks for watching 👍