SNCB at 100: Belgian Train Stations Become Concert Halls
Belgium’s national railway company, SNCB, is transforming train stations into concert halls and distributing gifts to passengers as part of a grand celebration marking its 100th anniversary on 23 July 2026. The centenary festivities, running throughout the year, include a commemorative 2-euro coin, special train liveries, and open days at railway workshops, as La Libre Belgique reports.
A Century on the Rails
The SNCB was created by law on 23 July 1926, consolidating decades of private and state-operated railway lines into a single national entity. At its founding, the company inherited a fleet of over 5,000 steam locomotives — an extraordinarily dense network for Belgium’s small territory. But the country’s railway history stretches back even further: on 5 May 1835, the first railway line on the European continent opened between Brussels and Mechelen, just a decade after the world’s first public railway in England.
“Through this symbolic action, we wish above all to make this anniversary a moment of thanks to all those who contribute to shaping the Belgian rail,” SNCB said in a press release, as reported by La Libre Belgique.
What’s Planned for the Big Day
On the official anniversary day, 23 July, SNCB will distribute “a small attention” — gifts — to passengers and staff in several trains and at five stations across Belgium. The company has not disclosed which stations will participate. In a synchronized “Merci” campaign, a thank-you message will be launched simultaneously in stations nationwide.
The most striking initiative: train stations across the country will be transformed into concert halls, though specific locations and performers have yet to be announced. Collector cards will also be distributed, allowing passengers to share messages with loved ones.
Year-Long Celebrations
The centenary program extends well beyond a single day. As RTBF detailed in February, SNCB has partnered with bpost for a series of commemorative stamps featuring iconic trains. A special train livery bearing the anniversary slogan “100 ans. Le voyage continue.” (“100 years. The journey continues.”) adorns rolling stock across the network.
An animated model in the shape of an infinity sign will travel from station to station, while an itinerant exhibition of historical rolling stock will be displayed in multiple locations. Train World museum in Schaerbeek is hosting “Fashion & Trains, from 1835 to today,” and the SNCB workshops in Mechelen and Salzinnes will open their doors to the public in October.
A Coin for the Ages
On 15 June 2026, a special 2-euro commemorative coin was unveiled at Train World museum. As RTBF reported, the coin features the iconic “B” logo designed by Jean De Roy in 1935, alongside the centenary logo where the two zeros form an infinity sign. A steam locomotive emerges from one side and a modern M7 train from the other.
“I wish to dedicate this coin to all SNCB staff, to all the men and women who have contributed to our history for a hundred years and who are still here every day, in conditions that are not always easy,” said CEO Sophie Dutordoir at the unveiling.
A total of 157,000 copies will be minted and sold from €11.50 on the website piecescommemoratives.be. Each coin can also be used as legal tender.
Celebrating Amid Challenges
The centenary arrives at a pivotal moment for SNCB. The company has faced labour disputes in 2025-2026 over pension reforms and budget cuts, while simultaneously preparing for the liberalization of Belgium’s passenger rail market, expected by 2032 under EU directives. Despite these challenges, SNCB achieved its best punctuality rate in 20 years in 2025, at 91.7%.
An independent techno event, Urban Jungle, will also mark the occasion with a party at Liège-Guillemins station on 4 September 2026.
What to Watch For
With open days, exhibitions, and cultural events continuing through October, the centenary offers Belgians a chance to reconnect with an institution that has shaped the country’s identity for a century. As the SNCB slogan puts it: the journey continues.