A special model railway layout in HO scale with two track gauges for tramways and freight transport

Published on January 31, 2026

The Belgian model railroading club, called “Modelspoor Club de Kempen”, often attempts to recreate historic railway lines and tram lines on a scale of 1/87 with its lovingly constructed model railroad layouts and dioramas. In this context, the award-winning model train layout “Scherpenheuvel – Zichem” or the model tramway diorama “Westerloo 1913” should be mentioned.

The latest model railway layout is called “De Zandtram in Mol”, which means “The Sand Railway in Mol”. This model train diorama depicts the former tramway line, that was built in 1895 to connect the city of Turnhout with the city of Mol in the province of Antwerp in Belgium. When the tram line was built, it had to fulfill two tasks: On the one hand, it was to ensure passenger transport via the tramways on meter gauge tracks, but on the other hand, freight train traffic also had to be guaranteed via the same railway line on standard gauge tracks.

What made this railway line special was that it was built with two different track gauges: The tram ran on meter gauge tracks, while the freight cars for sand transport ran on standard gauge tracks. This technical feature, whereby trams pulled not only passenger cars but also freight cars, led to this combined tram and railway line being nicknamed the “Sand Tram” or “Sand Railway”. The unique feature of the two track gauges has been reproduced very accurately by the model builders of the “Modelspoor Club de Kempen”.

For most model railway enthusiasts, the history of this Belgian tramway line is probably completely unknown. However, the former steam tram was the only means of transport for many people in the province of Antwerp at the time. In the 1950s, the tram became increasingly unattractive, because cars and buses became more widely used for transportation. The railway line was never electrified, so the tram ran on diesel power from the 1960s onwards. In 1977, the roads were upgraded for car traffic, so the tram line was dismantled.

Today, there are no longer any trams or tracks in the city of Mol. Because many members of the railway modelling club “Modelspoor Club de Kempen“ still had fond memories of the old days with the tramway, they decided to rebuilt that special tram line diorama with two track gauges.

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kWZYQefYLQ

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