Tramsite Schepdaal

About the museum

The station and depot in Schepdaal date from 1887-1888 and were built for the Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen (NMVB), founded in 1885 to connect areas without a railway. Schepdaal lay on the 23-kilometre line between Brussels and Ninove, which carried both passengers and goods. Between 1910 and 1929 the line was gradually electrified; later buses replaced the trams and the depot lost its function.

In 1961 enthusiasts founded the association AMUTRA/VETRAMU to save threatened trams. With support from the local railways, the depot was set up as a tram museum in 1962. In the late 1980s the future was uncertain, but in 1993 the site and its collection were officially protected. In the late 1990s the museum temporarily closed for restoration work.

Today the non-profit organisation Buurtspoorwegmuseum (BSM) runs the tram site and opens it on set days. The site still consists of the station building, the forge, the lamp room, a goods warehouse, a wood and sand store and three sheds. The sheds house around 25 NMVB carriages from all the major periods, including a flat goods wagon from 1886, a steam locomotive from 1906, an open summer carriage from 1912 and the unique royal tram carriage of Leopold II from 1896.

Highlights

• The only fully preserved local railway depot in Belgium, protected since 1993
• Royal tram carriage of Leopold II from 1896
• Steam locomotive from 1906 and open summer carriage from 1912
• Around 25 NMVB carriages in three sheds
• Historic buildings: station building, forge, lamp room and goods warehouse

Permanent exhibition

• Tramcollectie en stelplaats – The sheds hold around 25 NMVB carriages from all the major periods of the local railways, from steam locomotives and goods wagons to electric trams and the royal carriage.

Founded

1962

Operated by

vzw Buurtspoorwegmuseum (BSM)

Admission & discounts

Payment is possible by cash or mobile; a group rate is available on request.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Address: Ninoofsesteenweg 955, 1703 Schepdaal (Dilbeek). The museum cannot be reached by telephone; questions can be sent by email.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop in the station building sells books, postcards, toy trams and souvenirs; the toilet and the entrance are also there.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The tram site can be rented for, among other things, wedding ceremonies, members' meetings, product presentations and press events; enquiries via info@tramsite-schepdaal.be.

Plan your visit