Belgian State Railways

The Belgian State Railways (Dutch: Belgische Staatsspoorwegen; French: Chemins de fer de l'État Belge) was the original state-owned railway of Belgium. Established by an organic law of 1 May 1834, it began construction of its first line, between Brussels and Mechelen on 1 June 1834.[1] This line, which was opened on 5 May 1835, was also the first steam-powered public railway in continental Europe.[2]

On 1 September 1926, the assets and operations of the Belgian State Railways were transferred to its successor, the then newly created National Railway Company of Belgium (Dutch: Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische Spoorwegen; French: Société nationale des chemins de fer belges (NMBS/SNCB)), as part of a scheme formulated to eliminate Belgium's then excessive floating debt. Under the scheme, it was intended that Treasury bonds would not be repaid when they fell due; instead, they would be converted into bonds or shares issued by the NMBS/SNCB, or into fresh Treasury bonds, with the holders having the right to take either.[3][4]

See also

References
  1. Dambly, Phil (1989). Vapeur en Belgique [Steam in Belgium]. Tome 1: Des origines à 1914 [Volume 1: Origins to 1914]. Brussels: G. Blanchart & Cie. p. 7. ISBN 2872020055. (in French)
  2. "Belgium's Steel Network: The Most Concentrated System in the World". Mike's Rail History: A Look at Railways in 1935 & Before. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  3. "A Railway Lesson". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 24 August 1926. p. 6. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  4. "Novel Debt Conversion". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 17 September 1926. p. 18. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
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