On the path laid out by Series 18
At the dawn of the 2010s, the Belgian rail network welcomed a new generation of electric locomotives designed for speed, versatility, and national connections. The Class 18 locomotives thus established themselves as major players in passenger transport in Belgium, embodying a technological renewal at the heart of the network.
Discover the symbolism of the Series 18 rail watch
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Series 18: The momentum of rail since 2011
The Series 18, also known as the HLE 18 and 19, is a generation of multi-current electric locomotives put into service for the SNCB (Belgian National Railways) starting in 2011. Built by Siemens, they are distinguished by their power, their ability to operate at high speeds, and their central role in hauling passenger trains on the Belgian network, embodying the technological renewal of contemporary rail.
“The railway is civilization running at full steam.”
— Victor Hugo
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