Memling (train)

{{Short description|European passenger train (1974–1997)}} {{Italic title}} {{Infobox rail service | box_width = | name = ''Memling'' | logo = | logo_width = | image = | image_width = | caption = | type = Trans Europ Express (TEE) (1974–1984) EuroCity (EC) (1987–1997) | status = | locale = France Belgium | predecessor = | first = {{start date|1974|09|29|df=y}} | last = {{end date|1997|12|13|df=y}} | successor = Thalys | operator = | formeroperator = NMBS / SNCF | ridership = | start = Gare du Nord / Ostend | stops = none | end = Brussel Zuid / Cologne | distance = 310 km | journeytime = | frequency = Daily | trainnumber = | line_used = | class = | access = | seating = | sleeping = | autorack = | catering = | observation = | entertainment = | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = | gauge = {{RailGauge|sg}} | el = 25000 V AC (France) 3000 V DC (Belgium) | speed = | owners = | routenumber = | map = | map_state =  }}

The '''''Memling''''' was an express train that linked Gare du Nord in Paris, France, with Brussel Zuid in Brussels, Belgium. The train was named after German painter Hans Memling.<ref>La Légende des TEE p. 362.</ref>

==Trans Europ Express== The ''Memling'' was introduced together with the TEE Rubens in the TEE-network to cope with the raising number of passengers between Paris and Brussels.<ref>Das grosse TEE Buch p. 114</ref> Both services were the first in the morning, the ''Memling'' departed from Gare du Nord in Paris at 6:45 in the morning, while the ''Rubens'' departed from Brussels at 6:42. The return services were scheduled as the fifth of the six daily TEEs in both directions, departing around 6:45 p.m.<ref>La Légende des TEE p. 363.</ref> On 30 May 1984 the TEE-service between Paris and Brussels was reduced to four daily trains in both directions, this meant the end for the ''Memling'' as TEE.

==EuroCity== The ''Memling'' returned into service at the start of the EuroCity network on the link between Ostend and Cologne, the original route of the TEE Saphir. The ''Memling'' was replaced by Thalys on 13 December 1997.<ref>La Légende des TEE p. 364.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Works cited== {{refbegin}} *{{cite book |ref= Hajt|first= Jörg |last= Hajt|title= Das grosse TEE Buch |location= Bonn/Königswinter |publisher= Heel Verlag |language= German |year= 2001 |isbn= 3-89365-948-X}} *{{cite book |ref= TEEFR |first1= Maurice|last1= Mertens|first2=Jean-Pierre|last2= Malaspina|title= La Légende des Trans Europ Express|location= Vannes |publisher= LR Presse |language= French |year= 2007 |isbn= 978-29-036514-5-9}} {{refend}}

Category:EuroCity Category:International named passenger trains Category:Named passenger trains of France Category:Named passenger trains of Belgium Category:Named passenger trains of Germany Category:Railway services introduced in 1974 Category:Trans Europ Express Category:Railway services discontinued in 1997