Musée du Tram Vicinal

About the museum

The Musée du Tram Vicinal is located in Thuin, on the site of the former Thuin-Ouest station, on the former SNCB line 109 from Mons to Chimay. Passenger service ended there in 1964; the line was then used for freight before being abandoned in the 1980s. In 1993 the track was converted from standard gauge to the one-metre vicinal gauge.

The ASVi non-profit association was founded in 1972 by a group of enthusiasts to preserve and run former vicinal trams. It has run its trams on the Lobbes–Thuin line since 1978 and has been solely responsible for their maintenance since 1984. Its collection includes more than 40 vehicles, the oldest dating from 1885. The first building of the Centre de découverte du Vicinal was inaugurated on 1 October 1999; the second was built thanks to a European subsidy, and the museum was inaugurated in 2004. A 3 km extension along the RAVeL to Biesme-sous-Thuin opened in 2010.

The visit traces a century of vicinal history, from the steam locomotive and its trailers to the large electric trams. Visitors can board some of the vehicles, look at typical objects (driving controllers, timetables, tickets, dioramas) and see from the mezzanine a large 1:76 scale diorama. The tram ride towards Ville-Basse, Lobbes and Biesme-sous-Thuin extends the visit.

Highlights

• More than 40 vicinal trams and locomotives, including a vehicle from 1885
• Electric and diesel tram rides on three lines: Lobbes, Thuin Ville-Basse and Biesme-sous-Thuin
• Days with steam tram to Biesme-sous-Thuin
• Display cases of vicinal objects, dioramas and a panoramic mezzanine
• Tram festival around 15 August and Nocturne in October

Permanent exhibitions

• Collection de trams vicinaux – More than 40 vehicles, from the oldest one from 1885 to the last cars built for the SNCV, with display cases of objects and dioramas.
• Trajets en tram sur les lignes Lobbes, Thuin Ville-Basse et Biesme-sous-Thuin – Electric and diesel tram rides and, on certain days, steam tram rides to Biesme-sous-Thuin.

Operated by

ASVi asbl

Admission & discounts

2026 rates. Special days: the long weekend of 15 August, Heritage Days and Nocturne. Child rate for ages 6 to 12; free admission for children under 6.

Accessibility

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

Pets are admitted. The mezzanine is reached by a few steps.

Kids & families

• Kids’ birthday parties

Birthdays and family gatherings are possible on request.

Getting there & parking

On foot from the station: cross the footbridge over the Sambre, then follow the rails along the rue t’Sertevens; the museum is on the left just after the level crossing. Thuin is about an hour’s drive from Brussels.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with books, postcards and objects.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The museum (building and courtyard) can be rented on request, at least 10 days in advance; breakfast, drinks or catering are possible for groups.

Plan your visit