Updated 11th November 2006
Rail Tours
The Flanders Swan
 |
Hertfordshire Rail Tours and the South East Branch |
|
43 branch members and friends gathered at Ashford International on a bright but cold Saturday morning the 14th. October to board Hertfordshire Rail Tours autumn charter Eurostar 'The Flanders Swan' to Brussels via Calais Frethun Low Level and the ‘Classic’ route to Lille Flandres via St Omer, Hazebrouk and Armentieres and then on to Brussels Midi by the LGV.
 |
 |
The train was made up of sets 3015+3016 and after settling ourselves in coach 1 which was exclusively reserved for the RCTS we quickly made our way into the tunnel and on exiting on the French side found ourselves in thick fog. This made for a rather ghosly arrival at Frethun Low Level where we had a half hour stop. However on restarting the fog began to lift and quickly cleared as we made our way inland.. The top end of Lille Flandres provided many photo opportunities and with a nearly a 3 hour stop there also was time to explore the city's rail system with a day ticket on the xxxxxxx metre gauge trams.
A forty minute dash along the LGV soon brought us to Bruxelles MIdi where the opportunity was taken by most people to travel on by local train to Brussels Centraal, probably the filthiest station in Europe, from where it was a short walk to many of Brussels fine buildings including the Cathedral and the Royal Palace. Also the same short walk provided an opportunity to explore part of the tramway system.
 |
 |
A return to Midi station gave time for a further look at the trams and some late afternoon photo opportunities at the city end of the station before our high speed return to Ashford in 1hr 34 mins.
 |
 |
Pictures courtesy David Kelso
The branch looks forward to further Eurostar charters from Hertfordshire Rail Tours and will organise similar party bookings.