Mines, Mills, and Metro: The Belgian Vicinal
shows highlights of the extensive network of country trolley and light metro routes once operated by the Belgian Vicinal in the vicinity of Charleroi. This system was popular among American trolley fans because of its incredible variety in operations and right-of-way, and a strong resemblance to some of the longest-lived interurbans of Pennsylvania, the West Penn and the Lehigh Valley Transit.
Our ride on the 66-mile network of 6 routes in September, 1984, is like a trip back in time to Western Pennsylvania in the 1950s. Since then, two-thirds of the trackage shown in this DVD has been closed. Although you can still ride the new articulated light rail cars through the tunnels, over the viaducts, and along the private reservation of the new light metro, this video is the only way to see the pre-war cars rumble along single track through the narrow streets of old coal and steel towns, past abandoned mines and closed mills on roadside reservation, or across fields and along the canals on private right of way.
The new DVD version has a scrollable track map.
90 minutes, all color
The Vicinal preservation group (ASVI) operates preserved cars over tracks that still connect with the network shown in this program (although no Vicinal service is now operated). Their site has lots of information and photos of their operation, and links to explore more of the history (and present operations!) of the Vicinal.