Steam Train Maldegem-Eeklo

About

Steam Train Maldegem-Eeklo (Dutch: Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo, SME), formerly Steam Centre Maldegem (Dutch: Stoomcentrum Maldegem, SCM), is a heritage railway association based at the former NMBS station of Maldegem in northern Belgium. Standard gauge steam and diesel trains run on the line to Eeklo. A 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) narrow gauge line runs from Maldegem to Donk on the former line to Bruges; this was supplemented by the standard gauge line in 1989.

Railway line 58 used to run from Ghent to Bruges, but half of it (between Eeklo and Bruges) was closed for passengers in 1959 and for goods in 1962 and 1967. Steam Train Maldegem-Eeklo maintains 10.0 kilometres (6.2 mi) of standard gauge tracks between Maldegem and Eeklo. In Maldegem the organization has acquired the old NMBS station and its buildings. In Balgerhoeke there is a simple station without buildings. In Eeklo, SME has its own simple Eeklo Oostveld station, but the association has also acquired permission to use track 3 of NMBS's Eeklo station, with tracks 1 and 2 still in use for mainline NMBS passenger trains. In Eeklo station SME's preserved line connects to line 58 of the national railway network of Infrabel.

- Hunslet, No. 3796 of 1953, WD196, "Errol Lonsdale". Previously based on the South Devon Railway in England.

- TKh No. 5387, named "General Maczik". Moved to SME from the Northampton & Lamport Railway in England in 2006.

- Haine St. Pierre n°416 of 1891. Awaiting restoration

- Orenstein & Koppel 0-4-0WT of 1911 (works number 4854). Named "Marie", Static. (First Locomotive of SME)

- "Adolphe" Tubize 4-6-2 (miniature) 1935. Built for Brussels World Fair railway. Awaiting restoration.

- SNCB Class 44 single car unit 4405 Will be scrapped

- Hunslet, No. 3796 of 1953, WD196, "Errol Lonsdale". Previously based on the South Devon Railway in England.

- TKh No. 5387, named "General Maczik". Moved to SME from the Northampton & Lamport Railway in England in 2006.

- Haine St. Pierre n°416 of 1891. Awaiting restoration

- Orenstein & Koppel 0-4-0WT of 1911 (works number 4854). Named "Marie", Static. (First Locomotive of SME)

- "Adolphe" Tubize 4-6-2 (miniature) 1935. Built for Brussels World Fair railway. Awaiting restoration.

- SNCB Class 44 single car unit 4405 Will be scrapped