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The Schaarbeek train station is a splendid work of architecture that was built in a Flemish Neo-Renaissance style between 1864 and 1913. Once an important international railway station it now serves but a few small regional routes and gives basic service for commuters during peak hours for getting in and out of Brussels. The access to the main building itself is closed daily at 13:30 and during the week-end. The interior would definitely need some work. Located at 5 Place Princesse Elisabeth, 1030 Brussels

The front of the Shaarbeek train station

View from behind the station where the train tracks are

Commuters running late trying to still catch that train

Close up on the back of the railway station building

Most Belgian trains just pass by without coming to a halt

Gare de Bruxelles Central, or in English the Brussels Central train station was opened in 1952. Initially designed by the famous Belgian architect Victor Horta it was Maxime Brunfaut who finished it according to his plans after he died in 1947. With 140 000 daily passengers it is the busiest of all railway stations in Brussels.

Just in front of the main entrance

view from the inside

ticket office and schedules for departures

Walking down to a lower level

Here at the lowest level where the trains are

The train station has six tracks

The walk from the train station to the Brussels central subway station