Le Chemin de Fer du Bocq has been operated by the association Patrimoine Ferroviaire et Tourisme (Railway Heritage and Tourism) since 1992, and enables discovery of the charming valley between Ciney and Purnode (Yvoir).
Built from 1890 to 1907, closed to passenger traffic in 1960 and goods in 1983, the line was returned to service by passionate volunteers. Today, the trains of this picturesque branch line welcome tourists throughout the summer.
From Ciney, the route follows the "Line to Luxembourg" as far as Braibant. Later, it leaves a plateau at Condroz and sinks, with a steepish gradient (1.6%) into the valley of the Bocq, a tributary of the Meuse. After Sovet station at the bottom of the valley, the first water capture point of the CIBE (Compagnie Intercommunale de la Bruxelloise des Eaux) can be seen. Over a stone bridge of stone, the small village of Senenne is reached. Then, the railway skirts the canal part of the Bocq by following the meandering river. At the turn of the last curve, the train arrives at Spontin. After a few minutes, it continues its way through the hills and through a 500-plus metre long tunnel. At the mouth of the tunnel, the line runs along the bottling plant water sources of Spontin. Another few km and the line runs along the remains of a lime kiln, before reaching a little further on, the station of Dorinne Durnal. Here begins the most spectacular part of the line as far as Purnode ... a stretch of 2 km with no less than three tunnels and five viaducts.
Complete restoration of the railway as far as Yvoir is planned.
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