Brussels Congres used to be much busier than it is today, with much more trains serving it. The surrounding area was full of government buildings where all belgian administration was centralized. We have much less of that today, and most of the buildings you have shown are now empty. Only the tall tower is still in use. There are regular talks about closing Brussels Congres and Brussels Chapelle stations because they are so lightly used but nothing has been decide yet.
The north-south connection was quite a pioneering connection in its time (the first half of the twentieth century more or less). The tragic thing about this though is they had to demolish a big part of the old city center with generous margins to cut and cover this six-track tunnel which is at least part of the reason why the buildings you see going outside are so huge and modernist, it's a scar through the heart of Brussels. Also the entire web of the Belgian rail network is centered around this tunnel so we are starting to push its limits and delays radiate outside of it to the rest of the country.
The major part of the "tunnel" section of the connection was built after the Second World War. Rumour has it that the Marshall Plan funds were mainly used for this project.
North station is also my favorite station of Brussels. As the main hall shows it is a great example of qualitative modernist architecture. The platforms could use some maintenance, but they show a nice view on the surrounding towers. It's very beautiful on a sunny morning. The station also has a beautiful clock tower, but the big brutal building that they put in front of it (luckily they're deconstructing it) takes away its spotlight so you might have missed it.
I almost forgot to compliment you on your video: great job! I think Brussels is a really interesting city in terms of transit. It was nice to see someone covering this and you did it very well and extensively (also with your videos on the metro and premetro).
At 13:28 that double dark wooden door behind you is the waiting room for the royal family, if they'd ever need to take the train... Thousands of people walk past those doors every day and almost nobody knows that those rooms exist.
If you go from central (platform 6) to congrès station and look at the walls on the right side (starboard), you can actually see a small walled platform. It is under the national bank of Belgium and was originally designed as an emergency loading dock to move the gold reserve in case of a war (but was never used as such)
You move fast...I watched your DC streetcar video and a few other state-side vids, and now youre in Europe!! You do some great trainspotting videos Nathan!! Keep on traveling and showing more of what you see!!!
The front construction of Nord station are old goverment Offices (name CCN) , not a Mal . These works are for breaking down that ugly building so the old Nord entrance behind is back visible .
I think this is the grand father of most or all center city tunnels joining legacy networks. Into the 1990s existed the original enormous metal split flap signs in the cross passageways and lobbies. These were left up for while after decommissioning. Always amazed at how old stations are relatively unvandalized so that much of the original components, like the wood bench, survive. I'm guessing these station were very busy before the metro was built.
Thank you! I spend probably an average of 5 hours recording (really depends on the video) and then another 7 hours or so editing (spread across a week).
Brussels congres is a govrnment station. In the 50 and 60ties was te big building (you say govrnment station) rijkscentrum nog te cops (sheriffs) are in there
@@nathantransitj oh, why don't you just use a lavalier? I bought a used one of €5 and it works easily, hands free. I connect it to my phone in my pocket and I use the internal mic of my camera (with deadcat) to sync
