Kortrijk main railway station

Infobox Belgian railway station


opening=22 september 1839
telegraphiccode=LK
lines=66 - 75 - "83"
platforms=8
aricode=1000649

Kortrijk railway station is the main railway station in Kortrijk and one of the busiest railway stations in Belgium. Its NMBS/SNCB internal code is "LK". The station was first inaugurated in 1839-09-22.

Following railway lines come together in this railway station: line 66 (Bruges - Kortrijk) and line 75 (Ghent - Moeskroen). Before, there was also line 83 (Kortrijk - Ronse). Railway lines 69 (Kortrijk - Poperinge) and 89 (Denderleeuw - Kortrijk) begin just outside the railway station.

Several national Intercity-trains, Interregio-trains and Local trains stop in this railway station, but there are also international trains like the Intercity-train to Lille in France.

History

The first railway line connecting Kortrijk to Ghent was inaugurated in 22 september 1938 by king Leopold I and queeen Louisa-Maria. The first railway station on this site was inaugurated in 1839.

The building itself was enlarged several times. The second building opened in 1857 and was enlarged in 1876. This monumental building originally included a glass and iron construction covering the platforms and rails. This construction and the original building were severely damaged during World War II.

A brand new station was inaugurated on 7 july 1956. The structure covering the platforms and rails was demolished and replaced by awnings covering the platforms.

Railway lines

Today the station serves the lines:

InterCity-connections to:
* Oudenaarde - Denderleeuw - Brussels - Sint-Niklaas
* Moeskroen - Lille (Fr)
* Ghent - Sint-Niklaas - Antwerp
* Bruges - Blankenberge
* Roeselare - Bruges - Ostend
* Ypres - Poperinge

InterRegional-connections to:
* Brussels - Brussels Airport
* Harelbeke - Waregem - Deinze - Ghent
* Ghent - Dendermonde - Mechelen

Stop train-connections to:
* Oudenaarde - Zottegem
* Roeselare - Izegem - Bruges

Trivia

Other railway stations in Kortrijk are:
* Kortrijk-Vorming railway station (used to be called "Congostatie")
* Bissegem railway station

Former railway stations in Kortrijk are:
* Aalbeke railway station
* Heule railway station
* Heule-Leiaarde railway station
* Kortrijk-Weide railway station
* Kortrijk-West railway station
* Marke railway station
* Sint-Katerine railway station