Page "Transport in Belgium" Paragraph 4

Rail transport in Belgium was historically managed by the National Railway Company of Belgium, known as SNCB in French and NMBS in Dutch.

In 2005, the public company was split into 2 companies: Infrabel, which manages the rail network and SNCB itself, which manages the freight and passenger services.

Both companies are held by a third company, named SNCB Holding.

There is a total of, ( double track ( as of 1998 )), of which are electrified, mainly at 3, 000 volts DC but with at 25 kV 50 Hz AC ( 2004 ) and all on standard gauge of.

In 2004 the National Railway Company of Belgium, carried 178. 4 million passengers a total of 8, 676 million passenger-kilometres.

Due to the high population density, operations are relatively profitable, so tickets are cheap and the frequency of services is high.

The SNCB is permanently updating its rolling stock.