Train World

About the museum

Train World is the museum of the Société nationale des chemins de fer belges (SNCB), the Belgian national railway company. It opened to the public on 25 September 2015 in Schaerbeek, after works that began in September 2012; King Philippe inaugurated it the day before. The scenography was designed by the artist François Schuiten, who received the honorary title of stationmaster of Schaerbeek for this occasion.

The museum consists of two parts: the former Schaerbeek station, whose great hall dating from 1913 has been preserved and serves as the visitor reception, and a modern building housing the locomotives and carriages. To get from one to the other, visitors briefly step outside. This set-up finally gives the public access to part of the SNCB's historic collection, which had remained in depots for decades after the former Belgian railway museum, opened in 1951 in the former Bruxelles-Nord station, closed in 2007.

The route is designed to let you touch almost everything: you walk between unique carriages, wagons and locomotives, while numerous projections tell the story of the past, present and future of rail. The museum pursues an inclusive policy, with low-stimulus days and half-days, adapted visits and tools for blind, partially sighted, deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.

Highlights

• Great hall from 1913 of the former Schaerbeek station
• Historic SNCB locomotives, wagons and carriages
• Scenography by François Schuiten with numerous projections
• A museum where you can touch (almost) everything, suitable for families
• Inclusive offer: low-stimulus days, sign language tours, tactile bag

Permanent exhibition

• Exposition permanente Train World – Route between the former Schaerbeek station and the modern building, with historic locomotives, wagons and carriages and numerous projections on the history of the railway.

Founded

2015

Operated by

SNCB (Société nationale des chemins de fer belges)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the ICOM card, the Passeport 365/Riebedebie, the MuseumPass and the Brussels Card (tickets available at the till), and for staff of the Belgian railways and their dependants. SNCB Discovery Ticket: 40% discount on the return journey on the day of the visit. Discount cards are not accepted for paid activities, except Article 27 and “Iedereen verdient vakantie”.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The museum is fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, with adapted lifts; wheelchairs and walking-stick seats are lent free of charge. The European Disability Card is accepted. For blind and partially sighted visitors: adapted guided tour with a tactile bag, Braille texts in four languages and a free audio guide via the ErfgoedApp; guided tours in French-speaking Belgian Sign Language and a treasure hunt for deaf families. A low-stimulus museum map and information for autistic visitors are available to download. The Schaerbeek station itself does not offer assistance to people with reduced mobility; the STIB TaxiBus service is an alternative.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Train World has been approved by and for children in 2026. Treasure hunts, fun bags, the family activity “À la recherche du diamant du sultan”, children's workshops, birthday parties and low-stimulus days with activities. The toilets have toddler seats and changing tables are installed throughout the museum. Pushchairs are accepted throughout the museum, but there is no pushchair storage.

Getting there & parking

Train World is located in the low-emission zone (LEZ) of the Brussels-Capital Region. By Waterbus: stop at Quai de Hembeek or Pont Van Praet, then tram 7 to Princesse Elisabeth (6 minutes' walk).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers

La Station des Rêveurs, the station café at the museum entrance (Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00), serves light local food, and full meals for groups by reservation. Food and drink are not allowed in the museum. Lockers are available; there is no cloakroom and no space for suitcases, pushchairs or bicycles. The shop, open at the exit, is accessible from 10:00 to 17:00.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Several spaces are available for hire, including a 750 m² space for up to 225 people and a 60 m² meeting room (up to 60 people), with Wi-Fi for events.

Plan your visit