Royal Rail Rebecq Rognon

About the museum

Rail Rebecq Rognon is a Belgian association founded in 1975 by railway enthusiasts, including Erik Goegebeur, to revive a former railway line in the region. Line 115 (Braine-l'Alleud – Braine-le-Comte), dismantled in 1964 on this section, became a 60-centimetre narrow-gauge tourist railway linking Rebecq and Rognon. Rails from former local tramways were recovered and relaid on the old trackbed, passenger carriages were assembled, a shed was built to house the rolling stock and a car park was laid out.

The “Petit Train du Bonheur” was inaugurated on 30 May 1977. In 1990 the line was extended by 800 metres to the former Rognon station, along the route of the former line 123. The journey of around 4 kilometres follows the Senne and the Vallée des Oiseaux, passes several localities and stops at Bloc U, where the association's facilities are located.

The association owns and maintains several diesel and steam locomotives. The steam locomotive Birland, made by Orenstein & Koppel and lent by its owner, was restored in 2023; Arthur, built in 1905 by Maffei in Munich, is being restored. Fifty years after its founding, the association, now called “Royal Rail Rebecq Rognon”, is run by volunteers who operate the train, depending on availability, with diesel or steam traction.

Highlights

• 4 km ride on a 60 cm gauge train along the Senne
• Steam and diesel locomotives maintained by volunteers
• Stop of about thirty minutes at the Bloc U depot to see the rolling stock up close
• Mamilou playground at the Rognon terminus

Permanent exhibition

• Locomotives et matériel roulant – Steam and diesel locomotives, including Birland (Orenstein & Koppel) and Arthur (Maffei, 1905, being restored), visible up close during the stop at Bloc U.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Royal Rail Rebecq Rognon ASBL

Admission & discounts

Price of the trip with diesel traction: €6 for adults; with steam traction: €10. Depending on the availability of trained volunteers, the train runs with diesel or steam traction; preparing a steam locomotive takes about three hours.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Playground / play area

Reduced rates for children aged 7 to 12, free for children under 7. The Mamilou playground is at the Rognon terminus.

Getting there & parking

By car: motorway E429 (Hal – Lille), exit 24; Rebecq station is signposted from the exit.

Amenities & dining

At Bloc U, benches, tables and refreshments are available in the association's “ranch”.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 60 guests.

On weekdays it is possible to book a trip for receptions, team building, parties, groups, birthdays, weddings or barbecues; 60 people maximum per train.

Plan your visit