LATEST NEWS (Update by July 3rd, 2005)

The new bridge over the river Sambre is now in place.

	July 2^nd: Thanks of the European FEDER subsidies granted in April 2001 and the construction of our Discovery Centre in 2002-4, it has been possible to negotiate the building of a new bridge, combining a RAVeL bike track and a segregated tram track. In collaboration with the MET (Ministère de l’Equipement et des Transports), the regional transport company TEC/SRWT, the SNCB, and the local towns. The ASVi group contributes Euros 100,000 in this unique project, allying public authorities and the ASVi group. The new bridge initiates a new RAVeL bike trail linking Lobbes, Thuin and Chimay, along the defunct railway line nr 109. The huge crane is ready: 10:04, 10:10 and 10:17. The new bridge is lifted: at 21:51, 21:56, 22:02 with the last passenger train towards Charleroi) and 22:42.
	June 12^th: Special celebration with old farm tractors. The Standard motor car 10308 and the trailer. Farming equipment in action. A movie ( ! 7 MB) The bridge construction goes on. (idem) May 28th: The main beam of the new bridge is assembled. Picture 2 3 4 and 5.
	March 19th: The old tram bridge, built over the river Sambre, has been lifted last night. The old bridge. A wide platform was prepared for the crane. An enormous crane was built on the premises (1). (2) (3) (4) Meanwhile, work continues at Thuin. The lifting operation (1) (2) (3) (4). The mock-up of the new bridge. Drawing (1) (2) (3). March 12th: Arrival of motor car 9385 at Thuin (1) (2).
	October 30th: The old water tank of the Vossem station is preserved. Our magazine “l’Etincelle” is describing in detail this unique preservation. The ASVi group will be able to rebuild a complete water tank, as an original crane, levers and a water meter have been saved in Thuillies. Vossem during the steam days. Vossem in the fifties. The move is being prepared. Old tubes are cut. The water tank is lifted. Family picture of the movers. The previous owner sits in the middle. Delivery at Thuin. The finishing touch: last works regarding the diamond junction at Thuin. Tuning of the levers. November 13th: Departure of trailer A.1484 from Thuillies. Arrival at Gosselies. Unloading.
	September – October: After excellent Patrimony Days in early September, the season is now over. The old buffer from the line 80 terminus at Maurage is now in place. Work in progress : the levers of the ancient points are refurbished and swiftly put in place. Positioning the lever of our mixed gauge point. Transport of the levers. Levers soldering. Painting. The whole junction to the museum is nearly ready, with ancient points and a diamond crossing. Old ticket machines are being refurbished. The were issuing weekly passes at Mons (from the maker National) Old paint work is to be replaced on trailer A2121.
	August 14th and 15^th 2004: The recently opened Discovery has welcomed a large crowd last weekend. Numerous trams were put in services, in order to highlight the various aspects of the Vicinal. Historical collections, the multi media PC, old films and guided tours contributed to the discovery of the vicinal by the public. In short, a successful programme mixing a day in the open air and a lot of action. Departure of the goods tram. The diesel car ART300 and its wagons. The motor car 9515 at Thuin (Ville Basse). The diesel car AR 86 and its trailer A.2121 at Thuin (Ville Basse). The diesel car AR 86 at the river Sambre bridge. The new bridge is under construction, its installation is scheduled for the fall of this year.
	June 15^th 2004: The Discovery Centre is now inaugurated and fully open to the public. The ASVi President speaks first, followed by representatives of the City of Thuin. A large and happy crowd is present. The Town Council of Thuin cuts the tape. And is followed by the commune of Lobbes, our members, the Ministry of Transport (MET), the public transport company (TEC), la SRWT, other tram clubs, the press,….. June 14^th: Last preparation work. Test of the multi media PC. Two thousand tram pictures and postcards can be selected at will with the following criteria : city, province, photographer, year, type of rolling stock. The largest part of these documents can be printed for the visitors of the Discovery Centre.
	June 8^th 2004: the Minister Daerden signs the order for the new tram bridge. This bridge will be completed by year-end! Family picture: the old bridge, the tram, the Minister, representatives of Lobbes, Thuin, the MET, the engineering company Aries and the Board of the ASVi club. The Minister unveils a commemorative board. The bridge mock-up. Drawing 1. Drawing 2. Drawing 3. June 8th: last pavement works. We will be ready, just in time! June 5th: the small platform has received a typical fence. Please note the letter V standing for Vicinal, and the B for Buurtspoorwegen. The track works are nearly complete. The scenography will be great !
	May 15th 2004: General assembly of the ASVi club, presentation of the diesel car AR86 and various achievements. First use of the welcome area with the members. May 8th: Arrival of a diesel car (60cm gauge) and loading on flat wagon A.3504. April-May: track works are going on. Track damper in action. Rail holders. The new passengers platform. Track view. Further progress of the display exhibit: Tram stop. Welcome space. Glass displays. Steam engine headlamp. April 21st: The overhead lines has been damaged by a crane. Back in service with the help of TEC, by May 7th.
	April 14^th2004: Preparation of displays (1) (2) (3). Track work in progress (1) (2) (3) March 23^rd and 28^th: The mixed gauge point is in place. The passing loop in construction (1) (2) March 14th: after the last interruptions due to snow and frost, the track works are moving again. A great thank to the volunteers (Bernard, Jean-Marie, Roland, Georges et Philippe) and to the Baix company, who are working despite the cold weather. The diamond junction will form the curb of a passing loop. A mixed gauge point - assembly in progress. The switch point on the main line - nearly finished. Preparation of rail shoes (ex SNCV Brussels network)

March 7^th 2004: the preparation of the exhibition is progressing at full speed. Pierre is reconstructing the front of motor car A.9385 (version 2).  

Vicinal trams in OO scale: Robert Petch has realized this prized artwork. Don Sibley and Eric Binamé have helped him. Idem (2) Idem (3)

February 23^rd 2004: the last track works are started.

Construction of the passing loop switch 1, 2 en 3.

The diamond junction from La Roue (Brussels) is ready. Preparation of switch levers.

Drawing : in combination with a mixed gauge switch, the tracks 1 and 4 of the Centre de Découverte are being connected. A passing loop is also built.

October 25^th 2003: The 9984 narrow wooden Standard (original number) has been transferred from Thuillies to Thuin. The motorcar 9984 was motorized by the SNCV en 1932, from the trailer 19165, built by “les ateliers de Braine le Comte”. (Adjudicated by 09/04/1929). It belongs to the motorcar batch 9977-9985. The motorcar 9984 got the number 9729 during the ‘50s, during the S cars construction. This car was running in the Flanders, was transferred from Courtrai to Ostend in 1963. (Picture Mr Azarkadon) Preserved by the ASVi group in the late 70’s, the car has been completely refurbished mechanically and electrically at Jumet works, was transferred by rail to Trazegnies. The N 10480 car leaving Thuillies, last Saturday. The N car is one of the longest car to transport. At Thuin, the new pensioners are ready to sleep in the workshop.

October 9^th 2003: the trailer 19666 has been transferred from Knokke to Thuin. Originally, this car was the motorcar 9729, the very first large Standard, allocated to the Coast line. It belongs to the batch of cars 9729-9731, built in 1930 by Familleureux. Adjudicated by 15/10/1928. Without motors from the 50’s, it becomes the trailer 19666. With wooden Standard 9984 (narrow body), metal Standard 10308, Eugies 10284, we have got the unique opportunity to display the evolution of the vicinal Standard motorcar, thanks of four typical car variations. Nearly on the tracks ! Pictures: Y.L. Hansart

September 17^th 2003: The main building of the “Centre de Découverte” or Discovery Center is now completed. All equipments are ready. The last piece to be readied was a crossing originating from Courcelles (Trieux), where lines 80 and 57, 61, 63 and 64 were meeting.

September 20^th: The diamond junction originating from the SNCV depot of La Roue (Brussels) is being refurbished. In combination with a mixed gauge changing point, it will be used to connect the front end of the Discovery Center. The track construction work will start this winter and will be completed early 2004.

June 28^th 2003: A special day reserved for the members of the ASVi club. First, the diesel car ART300 was used to shunt various trailers and wagons, here with the bogie trailer A.1853. The bogies Standard 10308, the PCC 10409 and the two-axle car A.9515 made numerous trips from Thuin to the vicinity of Lobbes. The locomotive HL 303 was displayed with two goods wagons. The diesel car AR86 was also exhibited and was running in the afternoon.

June 21rst: The diesel car AR86 has been transferred by road truck to Thuin. Here is the last picture at Liège.

May 31rst: The tracks inside the new museum are ready, as well as the beginning of the second track grid.

The ancient track crossing is now inside the building and the lobby is ready.

May 17^th: A part of the track crossing of Courcelles Trieux will be exhibited inside the new museum. It is cleaned by an ASVi volunteer. This hard work is supported by the music of the Saint Roch celebrations (Film of 0,7 Mbits !). The construction of the museum progresses as planned: the walls of the lobby are ready and the pavement is being prepared.

May 10^th: The construction of the lobby/mezzanine has been started. It will enable a panoramic view of the tram collection, from the mezzanine.

May 10^th: The first full-scale test of our electric substation has taken place. They are completely successful! ! ! Finally the 600Volts works! ! ! The first car to be tested was 9515. Film of putting the pantograph on the wire. (! 1 MB) Film of the first trial of 9515 under power (! 1 MB). The second car to be tested was the Standard 10308. Film of the trials of 10308 (! 1 MB) The third car to be tested was the PCC car.

Tram service: No trams will be running by May 18^th, due to the Saint Roch celebrations. Diesel cars will be running May 25^th. The first electric service open to the public is scheduled for June 1rst, according to a last technical visit by the SRWT.

May 9^th 2003: Transfer of luggage van 9963 and trailer 19151 from Thuillies to Gosselies.

May 4^th: Transfer of trailer S 9309 and 19405 from Gosselies to Anderlues. Transfer of PCC 10409, two-axle cars 9888 and 9924 from Anderlues to Thuin.

May 2^nd: Transfer of wagons 7801 and 14849 to Thuin.

April 24^th: 10,500 Volts feed our sub-station from now on. 600 Volts tests are taking place with trams in May!!!

April 23^rd: View of the preparation of the museum floors, with trailer 2121 and Eugies 10284 in the background.

April 19^th: The tri-bissel wagon 8168 was moved from Schepdael to Thuin. The bogie wagon 8158 was moved from Thuillies to Thuin.

April 12th: The overhead wire is in place above track 2 of the workshop, with ART 300, the overhead maintenance trailer and the motorcar 9515. Thuillies depot is now completely rubble cleaned. Move of wheel sets from Thuillies to Thuin.

March 29^th: Transfer by road of the motorcar 10284 type “Eugies” to Thuin. First time in the open air after 11 years of storage. First wheel on the loading incline. Loading under way. On the road trailer. Arrival at Thuin, in the middle of the traffic of rue de la Couture. Shunting with diesel car ART300. On the level crossing. On its way to the museum. Ready for a clean up of the body. With a cleaner on the top of the Eugies, side by side with 9515. Movie 1: Gozée. Movie 2: Down the road trailer. Movie3: To the museum.

March 26^th: Further progress of the restoration of AR 86. Front view. Work on the doors. Engine door fitting. Signal holder fitting. Dashboard fitting. Headlamp holder fitting.

March 15^th: The new tracks have been successfully tested by the heavy autorail ART300. One changing point still needs some fine-tuning. Some points welding. Two tracks are now connected, view of ART 300 inside the museum.

March 11^th 2003: The connection tracks between the museum and the main line are now ready for use by our tramways !

Between February 6^th and March 11^th: February 6th, preparation of the connecting tracks. March 6th, overview of the spur. The main switch between tracks 2 and 3. The ballast is being put in place. Saturday March 6th, the active members of the club are checking the points.

February 8^th: The loading of luggage van 2354 is being prepared in Gosselies. On the motorway to Thuin (picture). On the motorway to Thuin (movie 780 KB !!). Manoeuvres in Thuin. The first car is now in the Centre de Découverte du Chemin de Fer Vicinal !!!! The complete operation started at 8:00 and was finished at 12:45.
Same story for the mixed car 2121: Car loading in Gosselies (picture). Down to the tracks of Thuin ! Two cars in the brand new museum ! This heavy work was finished by 16:30, time for a short celebration drink !

February 6^th: Preparation of the connection tracks to the museum.

January 2003: the restoration works of AR 86 are progressing well. After a complete reconstruction, it looks like a tram again. AR 86 will be the only autorail in original state, as built in the 30’s. It will feature visible truck, no ballast, high-speed gears, no roller blinds, etc.

Pictures: Here is ART 300 at Lobbes (Moulinia). The same autorail and 2026 at Thuin (museum). A goods train at Thuin (1). A goods train at Thuin (2).

December 12^th 2002: The Walloon Government has decided to authorize a second subsidy allowing to finalize the Centre de Découverte du Chemin de Fer Vicinal. Interior works, floors, reception area, lavatories, upper floor, scenography, scenery all is included. Total subsidy: 591.251€. The share of our club is 65.595€. Interior works would take place from March until June 2003. Scenography by end 2003. Public opening: Spring 2004.

December 11th: Construction of the connecting tracks between the museum and the main line.

November 27^th: About 45 tons of long awaited track equipment has been transferred from Anderlues to Thuin. The last 32 kilo/meter rails (for the main line maintenance), a stock of light rails (+/- 40 kilo/meter for the construction of the front connection tracks), straight and curved grooved rails (required for the back connection tracks), four old water drains, six Vignole points and crossings. Some of this equipment has been donated by the SRWT; some has been bought at low price from the TEC. Thank you again to both companies.

November 23^rd: We paid a visit to the body of A1947. Parts of this car were used to restore A.1936 in 1984-5.

September 14th: The four tracks of the museum are equipped with rails. Part of the sleepers were used on line 80, at Bascoup (Etoile), the rest is new. The rails are originating from line 30 (between Morlanwelz (Gare) and the tram tunnel). Preparation of future changing points of the museum (originating from line 41, in front of Trazegnies depot)

September 2^nd: Installation of the sub-station transformer. New 10.500 Volts switches and measure equipments.

August 8^th: Start of laying the tracks inside the museum.

Restoration of A.9385-2: The number 9382 has been discovered on a sheet of the car. It is now assumed that the body is the car A.9382, with the doors of A. 9385.

View of the car body, in the workshop of the company Lobet.

View of the truck, in the workshop of the company Locorem.

July 20^th 2002: Electrical connection of the new wires with the main line.

July 12-13-14^th: Installation of the brand new trolley wires between Thuin (rue de la Couture) and the museum site. One thousand meters of trolley wire are delivered Friday 12th. View at the end of the line. View from the top of the overhead maintenance tower. Film 1 ( ! 430 KB to download). Film 2 ( ! 794 KB to download).

July 6^th: Standard 10308 is being shunted, in order to test sections of refurbished overhead wire.

June 30^th: transfer of standard 10308 to Thuin, as this car will be used for running the line as soon as the overhead line is put in service (scheduled for August)

June 29^th: transfer of the PCC car to Anderlues. The tracks in Lobbes (Quatre Chemins) needed some cleaning. The 10,500 Volt feeding equipment has been placed in our power sub-station. Re-installation of the feeder cable. Overhead works are completed between Thuin (Ville Basse) and Anderlues. The overhead wire of Thuin (Ouest) will be put in place in the coming days. This is the last work required before the re-instatement of the 600V !

June 22^nd: First public usage of the new museum during the Music Festival. Overhead line works continue.

May 25^th: The museum is nearly complete (from the back). Front view.

May 18^th: The wagon A8409 gets a well-deserved coat of paint. May 14^th: Arrival in Thuin of the match wagon A.8409. This type of wagon was used on mixed gauge tracks and had one tram buffer and two large railway buffers. Trams could pull railways wagons. It was built in 1905 by Tyberchamps and used first on the Clavier routes. It was used lately in the Anderlues depot. This wagon was used when the ASVI PCC 109409 arrived from Yugoslavia.

April 27^th: The feeder cable of the electric power station is being prepared (1). Put in place (2). The tower wagon goes back home (3). The track bed is being prepared inside the museum building. View of the gardens of Thuin, facing the museum. Vineyards have been recently planted.

April 24^th 2002: The bid for the tracks to be laid inside the new museum and for the link with the main line has been launched. The offers are due by May 31rst. The construction works will start in September.

April 12^th: Installation of the new AEG transformer inside our new sub-station. The new feeder grid will be tested in Dison by April 16th and subsequently installed in Thuin. The second-hand ex-SNCV rectifier, section and measure cupboards were painted April 13th. The 600V power will be back soon!!!

April 3^rd: The roof of the museum is completed! Panoramic view. The gross works will be finished early May.

March 9^th: The construction of the roof supports and the walls of the museum are progressing according to plans.

February 22^nd : The Mayor of Thuin is laying the “first stone” of the walls of the museum. This ceremony was held with numerous representatives of the city, the Walloon Region, SRWT, TEC, ASVi, …

February 16th and 21rst: Preservation of spare parts of Vicinal "baladeuses" and 5 wagons in Maldegem. The "treasure" consists of steam engine jacks and old track tools.

February 11^th: Panorama view of the existing workshop and the museum under construction. The foundations of the reception area are ready. The roof pillars have been put in place.

February 6^th: View of the SE 9974 under rehabilitation.

January 30^th: The foundations of the museum are completed. December 3^rd: The construction works of the Centre de Découverte du Chemin de Fer Vicinal have started. It will shelter about 25 trams. The ground works have started in Thuin. More than 300 tons of rails and points have been sorted out, moved and stored in new places. The building includes a large exhibition space with high quality scenography. Track design: existing tracks in red, new tracks in purple.

November 3^rd: All of the overhead line grips are in place on the main line of Thuin (Ouest). The double overhead lines will allow trolley and pantograph operation. Brand new brass grips have been bought from the Swiss company Kummler & Matter allowing trolley operation, in conjunction second-hand brass grips, arms and insulators from dismantled SNCV lines. The equipment is put in place with a tower wagon. Rails are being fitted for the continuity of the electric power. Test of the quality of the connections.

November 7^th: The body of A. 9385 has been transferred in the workshops of the company Lobet for complete woodwork rehabilitation.

October 23^rd: In agreement with the MET (ministry of equipment and transport), SRWT/TEC (transport), the Town of Thuin and the ASVi group, studies have been launched for the extension of the tramway to Biesmes-sous-Thuin, in conjunction with a RAVeL footpath.

September 11^th: Delivery at Thuin of two points from Ressaix (old line 90).

April 26^th: Arrival of a SNCV overhead maintenance truck at Thuin, made in 1947 by Bovy-Pipe (a Belgium truck maker). It got first the number AE46, then number 36336 in 1956, then number 7641 in 1976 and was probably withdrawn in 1981, at Destelbergen. It was used to maintain tramway overhead lines in the Gent area. Similar trucks were used at Antwerp and Charleroi. It is now completely restored and displayed in the museum. Just out of the workshops in 1947. As found. During the restoration works. Fine tuning of the mobile platform. Trials at Thuin (1).  Trials at Thuin (2).

April 12^th: We are receiving a subsidy of 40,5 millions Belgian francs in order to build the second barn of the  "Centre de Découverte du Vicinal à Thuin". The total cost is estimated at 45 million BEF (+/- 1,1 million Euros, or 1 million USD).

These "phasing-out FEDER" subsidies are paid by the Walloon Region (22,5 millions) and by the EEC (18 millions). The remainder of 4,5 millions BEF will have to be raised by donations to ASVi group.

February 21rst: The SRWT is giving to the ASVi group about 2 kilometres of track (with sleepers), 54 electric masts and 6 track points. This equipment will be used for the construction of the second building of Thuin and the extension of the tramway to Biesmes-sous-Thuin.

February 6th/7th 2001: The cable connecting the substation and the track is being laid ( - ). Preparation of the master switch ( + ) and the sub-station control signals. A cable protection is placed. The mast is put in place. The 600V rectifier and other electrical parts in our sub-station.

December 13th : Preservation of the trailer B660,

December 2000:   A 600V rectifier and other electrical parts have been transferred to Thuin, in order to equip the power station. This equipment is coming from the electric sub-station of Binche (ex-line 90). Additional spare parts have been saved from the electric sub-station of Goegnies (also ex-line 90).   Inside the electric sub-station of Goegnies.

November: The body of the motorcar A. 9385 has been saved. The body is in excellent condition. This is the only car of this batch to be preserved by ASVi and it fills a gap between the oldest electric car wholly produced in Belgium (A. 9073), and batches of trams produced during W.W.I (A. 9515).  View of the crane works. It is stored at the LOCOREM workshops, ready for complete rehabilitation. Many thanks to P.E. Brohée, who has organized this preservation!

October:  The building of our electric power station is finished. The electrical parts, including a new 11000V-600V transformer have been ordered to the company AEG.  All masts for the new overhead line of Thuin have been put in place. Preparing the last base.  Drawings of the sub-station.

July-August: Our historic overhead maintenance wagon is being restored this summer (restoration of iron fences, coat of original brown colour). Various track works have taken place this summer as well.

April: The diesel car AR 86 has received a complete mechanical overhaul. New axles, complete gearbox overhaul, new roof have been fit. The last panel sheet has been put in April.

February 2000: The third access track to the museum and a sidetrack for goods and service wagons are now ready to use.  January 14th: work in progress. The track works are complete by February 2nd!

October 23rd 1999: Special tramway trip: ART 300 at Anderlues. The PCC, close to Piges metro station. The Type SE motorcar at the Gilly metro station.

October 1rst 1999: The official opening of the museum took place at 15:00, in presence of the regional Minister of Transports, Mobility and Energy, Sir José Daras and the senior members of the City Council of Thuin.

September 18th:  Arrival of motorcar 9515.

August: Installation of track buffers.   Arrival of open trailer 8821.  Weed killing with diesel car ART 300.

July 15th:  Arrival of the steam engine HL303 and trailer 1853.

July 4th : The first museum building is open to the public for the first time.  Inside view of the museum.

June 26th : Arrival of the PCC car.