We move on from this week to Belgium as we feature the Belgian Coast Tram for the next few weeks.
The Coast Tram runs for 42 miles (67 kilometres) on a metre gauge between De Panne (close to the French border) and Knokke-Heist (close to the Dutch border). It is the longest single metre gauge line in the world and is second only in length to the A line in Los Angeles of any light rail line. Running along the coast giving spectacular views it can trace its history back to 1885 when the section between Ostend and Nieuwpoort opened as part of the Vicinal tramway. Its is now operated by De Lijn.
The tram fleet has only recently been renewed and is now operated by CAF Urbos Zeeligner trams (part of the Urbos100 family of vehicles). In this photo we see 6121 which was built in 2020 and entered service in 2021.
Photograph by Stuart Cooke, 17th May 2024