The circulation of international trains was interrupted between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. this Saturday due to the presence of frost on the rail network, said Infrabel, the rail infrastructure manager in Belgium. The disturbances concern two railway lines.
The first is between Brussels-Midi and the French border where two trains “a Thalys and a TGV were immobilized near Ruisbroek in Flemish Brabant due to the presence of frost on the catenary (train power supply cable), explains Jessica Nibelle, spokesperson for Infrabel.
These two trains were now able to return by their own means. The Thalys train had 250 passengers, while the TGV had 350 passengers. According to Infrabel, the heating did not stop on board the trains.
For this first line, traffic was therefore able to resume around 11:30 a.m. for international traffic. “There are still significant delays which are to be expected for Thalys and TGVs on this axis and this throughout the day“, says Infrabel.
A third train which made the connection between Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam was also immobilized near Mechelen for the same reasons, that is to say frost on the catenary.
In this case, traffic is still possible on one track, but the train is still immobilized at the moment. “Passengers must be evacuated within minutes.“The heating is working properly, we are told at Infrabel.”Unfortunately, they have to be patient while waiting for a rescue train to come and change trains to take them back to their original destination.“
Before being able to free this track, the passengers will have to be transferred and then the immobilized train towed to Brussels-Midi.