Green Avenue

The first train from Belgium to Mechelen departed from the Groendreef station. On May 5, 1835, the first train 'De Olifant' ran on the European mainland. The station on Groendreef was very modestly conceived. There was a small building, enclosed by a fence, for the distribution of tickets. Already in 1839, it became apparent that the station could no longer handle the growing influx of passengers, as the Brussels policymakers wanted the capital to become the center of the network. The municipal council saw in the plan for a railway to Hainaut (and later to Paris) a good reason to advocate for a new station in downtown Brussels, close to the center. They were convinced that it would be detrimental to the city if it neglected its communication routes. The station on Groendreef was located just outside the city limits, and this had a negative economic effect on Brussels. Passengers were thereby led away from downtown Brussels. Especially the suburbs in the north and east could benefit from the presence of the station. A lot of activity had developed in the vicinity of the station. Vacant plots between the Hallepoort and the Anderlecht gate were the most suitable for the construction of a station because they were directly oriented towards Hainaut. The plots were also almost undeveloped.

Dromos