ASVi museum
Encyclopedia
The ASVi is a tramway museum in Thuin
in Belgium
, which specialises in the history of the Belgian narrow gauge Vicinal
system. The museum includes an operating museum tram line which runs from Thuin to Lobbes
.
The metre gauge
historic tram line is made of two sections :
. Then it goes down along the SNCB railway and reaches Lobbes Pont du Nord where it crosses Route Nationale 559. Then it goes around Lobbes along a western itinerary to reach the station Lobbes Hôtel de Ville. From there, the line turns again towards RN 559 to reach it at the level of the station Lobbes Entreville ; from there the line is on the west side of this road to the terminus of Lobbes Bonniers. This northern section is one of the last electrified roadside sections of tramway which remains in Belgium.
From avenue de la Couture, a section of the former vicinal also allows to reach the lower part of Thuin on the banks of Sambre.
In August 2010, a 3 km extension to Biesme-sous-Thuin has been inaugurated. It is established on the platform of the former SNCB line from Mons
to Chimay
.
which has quite an uncommon story. It is part of a first series of 24 cars built for Belgium in 1950, which were transferred to Belgrade
in 1960. One model of this iconic vehicle was brought back to Belgium in 1986.
Thuin
Thuin is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. The Thuin municipality includes the old communes of Leers-et-Fosteau, Biesme-sous-Thuin, Ragnies, Biercée, Gozée, Donstiennes, and Thuillies.-Origins:...
in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, which specialises in the history of the Belgian narrow gauge Vicinal
Vicinal tramway
The Tramways vicinaux or Buurtspoorwegen were a system of narrow gauge tramways or local railways in Belgium, which covered the whole country and had a greater route length than the mainline railway system...
system. The museum includes an operating museum tram line which runs from Thuin to Lobbes
Lobbes
Lobbes is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On January 1, 2006, Lobbes had a total population of 5,499. The total area is 32.08 km² which gives a population density of 171 inhabitants per km²....
.
The metre gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
historic tram line is made of two sections :
- a part of the former vicinal tramway line Thuin - AnderluesAnderluesAnderlues is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On January 1, 2006 Anderlues had a total population of 11,578. The total area is 17.02 km² which gives a population density of 680 inhabitants per km². Its postcode is 6150....
(lines 91 and 92). This line was part of the famous and extensive Belgian vicinal tramway network which once covered the whole country ; - a part of the SNCB normal gauge line (line 109 MonsMonsMons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
- ChimayChimayChimay a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On January 1, 2006, Chimay had a total population of 9,774. The total area is 197.10 km² which gives a population density of 50 inhabitants per km²...
) which was converted to metric gauge and equipped with an overhead line for power supply.
Description of the historic line
Leaving the Thuin museum, the line follows first the former SNCB line, and then follows the "avenue de la Couture" towards the cemetery of Thuin and a bridge to cross the SambreSambre
The Sambre is a river in northern France and Wallonia, southern Belgium, left tributary of the Meuse River. The ancient Romans called the river Sabis.-Course:...
. Then it goes down along the SNCB railway and reaches Lobbes Pont du Nord where it crosses Route Nationale 559. Then it goes around Lobbes along a western itinerary to reach the station Lobbes Hôtel de Ville. From there, the line turns again towards RN 559 to reach it at the level of the station Lobbes Entreville ; from there the line is on the west side of this road to the terminus of Lobbes Bonniers. This northern section is one of the last electrified roadside sections of tramway which remains in Belgium.
From avenue de la Couture, a section of the former vicinal also allows to reach the lower part of Thuin on the banks of Sambre.
In August 2010, a 3 km extension to Biesme-sous-Thuin has been inaugurated. It is established on the platform of the former SNCB line from Mons
Mons
Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
to Chimay
Chimay
Chimay a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On January 1, 2006, Chimay had a total population of 9,774. The total area is 197.10 km² which gives a population density of 50 inhabitants per km²...
.
Rolling stock
The collection also includes a PCC streetcarPCC streetcar
The PCC streetcar design was first built in the United States in the 1930s. The design proved successful in its native country, and after World War II was licensed for use elsewhere in the world...
which has quite an uncommon story. It is part of a first series of 24 cars built for Belgium in 1950, which were transferred to Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
in 1960. One model of this iconic vehicle was brought back to Belgium in 1986.
In working order
| ASVi # | Type | Manufacturer | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR.86 | Railcar Railcar A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western... |
SNCV Brabant | 1934 | |
| A.9073 | M2 | Electricité et Hydraulique | 1901 | |
| A.9515 | M2 | Le Rœulx | 1918 | |
| 9924 | M2 | La Dyle à Louvain | 1931 | |
| 9974 "Type SE" | M4 | SNCV Brabant | 1958 | |
| 10284 "Type Eugies" | M4 | Braine-le-Comte | 1936 | |
| 10308 "Standard Métallique" | M4 | Baume et Marpent | 1942 | |
| 10409 "PCC" | M4 | La Brugeoise & Nicaise & Delcuve | 1949 | |
| 10480 "Type N" | M4 | SNCV Cureghem | 1954 | |
Out of order
| ASVi # | Type | Manufacturer | Year | Condition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL303 | Type 7 | La Métallurgique à Tubize | 1888 | Static display | |
| ART.300 | Railcar | SNCV Andenne | 1947 | Under restoration | |
| A.9385 "Type Manage" | M2 | Franco-Belge | 1910 | Under restoration | |
| 9598 | M2 | SNCV Eugies | 1951 | To be restored | |
| 9603 | M2 | Seneffe | 1919 | To be restored | |
| 9888 | M2 | Franco-Belge à La Croyère | 1930 | Under restoration | |
| 9963 "Fourgon-moteur" | M2 | Godarville | 1916 | Under restoration | |
| 9984 "Standard Bois" | M4 | Braine-le-Comte | 1932 | To be restored | |
| 9063 "Type S" | M4 | SNCV Brabant | 1956 | To be restored | |
| 10393 "BLC" | M4 | Braine-le-Comte | 1949 | To be restored | |