Belgium’s national railway operator SNCB/NMBS will mark its 100th anniversary in 2026 with the release of a commemorative stamp series developed in partnership with postal operator bpost.
The stamp sheet, which will be available from 26 January through the bpost online shop, features five historic trains that represent key stages in the development of Belgium’s rail network, from early modern locomotives to advances in electric traction, performance and passenger comfort.
Founded on 23 July 1926, SNCB/NMBS marks its centenary this year, with the stamp series included among broader anniversary activities planned ahead of 2026. The new designs reflect the technological evolution of rail transport in Belgium over the past century.
The first print run was symbolically launched at bpost’s stamp printing facility in Mechelen, where two train attendants unveiled the new issue, reflecting the longstanding human link between railway and postal services.
Beyond the celebration of railway history, the stamp series also highlights cooperation between the two iconic Belgian companies. One of the featured designs depicts the Autonomous Postal Train (APT), introduced in 1967. The train operated as a mobile sorting centre, allowing postal workers to process mail while travelling up to five times a day between major distribution hubs nationwide. The service remained in operation until 2003.
The newest stamp issue also reflects Belgium’s longer tradition of railway-related postage. The history of Belgian railway stamps dates back to 1879, when NMBS began issuing “railway stamps” to cover postage for parcels transported by train. Over time, the stamps were accepted for other postal shipments. The last issues with official postage value were released in 1987, while from the 1990s onward NMBS produced stamps primarily for collectors. The programme was discontinued in 2015, bringing an end to a long tradition of railway stamp issues in Belgium.
Collaboration between Bpost and SNCB/NMBS continues today in a different form. In 2025, bpost expanded its network of parcel lockers, known as bboxes, to 270 units installed in railway stations across the country. The expansion allows travellers to send, collect or return parcels around the clock in roughly half of Belgium’s stations, integrating postal services into daily journeys.
