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SNCB/NMBS National passengers car (M)

During World War I, wooden passenger cars suffered greatly. Many cars were irreparably damaged or disappeared. Furthermore, some accidents demonstrated that wooden passenger cars did not provide the safety expected by passengers.

"M" passengers car were born.

The main focus was a much better resistance in the event of an accident (notably due to the presence of deformation zones at the end of the car body). These cars introduce several innovations: covered intercommunication (bellows) and pneumatic door control.

"M" means "Métallique/Metaalachtig" (Metallic). They are used for national traffic as Intercity Trains (IC) or Local train (L).

M5/M5m | La Brugeoise et Nivelles, Brugge
M6 | Bombardier
M7 | Alstom
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M5/M5m | La Brugeoise et Nivelles, Brugge
First double decker coach for SNCB/NMBS, there were ordered for peak hour trains in the 80's.
During the modernization helped by Bombardier Transportation, the name 'M5' was changed to "M5m" ('m' for 'Modernization').
A
AB
50 88 16-38
50 88 36-38		 001 ... 015 2008 - 2011 Atelier Central de Cuesmes
BT		 15 140 km/h
(Burgundy red)
(New Look)		 1986 - 1987 BN [15]
    
100 + 7
Firstly ordered in burgundy red livery, the M5 A were all renovated between 2008 and 2011.
They were repainted with "New Look" livery.
The biggest change is that the first class became a mixed first-second (AB) with 7 places for second class. The compartments at each end of M5 A became second-class spaces.
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DrOé 2.3.2025
B
50 88 26-38
 001 ... 097 2008 - 2011 Atelier Central de Cuesmes
BT		 96 140 km/h
(Burgundy red)
(New Look)		 1986 - 1987 BN [97]
    
123
Firstly ordered in burgundy red livery, the M7 B were all renovated between 2008 and 2011.
They were repainted with "New Look" livery.

M5 (086) is out of service.
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DrOé 26.5.2025
Bx
BDx
50 88 86-38
 001 ... 018 2008 - 2011 Atelier Central de Cuesmes
BT		 18 140 km/h
(Burgundy red)
(New Look)		 1986 - 1987 BN [18]
    
98
Firstly ordered in burgundy red livery, the M7 Bx were all renovated between 2008 and 2011. They were repainted with "New Look" livery and named BDx.
M5 BDx be also upgraded for wheelchairs and bicycles. MUX system was also installed for reversibility
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DrOé 26.5.2025

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M6 | Bombardier
SNCB/NMBS needs more capacity of IC trains and M5 were not appreciated for their comfort. The Belgian company decided to order 492 new double-decker coaches.
M6 are higher than M5. At the beginning, they could not travel on certain railway lines because the tunnels were too low.
Authorized for Luxembourg.
A
50 88 16 72
50 88 16 92		 001 ... 076
 1999 - 2004 Bombardier [76] 76 160 km/h
200 km/h
(New Look)		    
124
At the beginning, too many M6 A were ordered. They were downgraded in second class and keep yellow stripe for a period.
10 M6 A were modified to run at 200 km/h (067 ... 076) and received a new logo "200".
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DrOé 26.5.2025
B
50 88 26 72
50 88 26 92		 001 ... 276
232 ... 276		 1999 - 2004 Bombardier [140] 140 160 km/h
200 km/h
(New Look)		    
140
45 M6 B were modified to run at 200 km/h (232 ... 276) and received a new logo "200".
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DrOé 26.5.2025
BD
ABD
50 88 82 72
50 88 82 92
50 88 81 72		 001 ... 076
 1999 - 2004 Bombardier [76]
[35]		 76 160 km/h
200 km/h
(New Look)
    
103
At the beginning, 35 M6 were delivered with a mixed first-second (ABD). In 2004, they were changed BD.
8 M6 BD were modified to run at 200 km/h (061 ... 076) and received a new logo "200".
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DrOé 26.5.2025
Bx
50 88 80 72 001 ... 064
 1999 - 2004 Bombardier [64] 64 160 km/h
(New Look)		    
136
M6 Bx cab control car is separated into two families:
- M6 Bx-AA with automatic coupler (type George Fischer) (001 .. 037, 061 ... 064).
- M6 Bx-CT with UIC coupler. (038 ... 060)
MUX is equipped.
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DrOé 26.5.2025

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M7 | Alstom
M4 are getting old and SNCB/NMBS need to gradually replace them. M6 and M7 are similar.
The differences are:
- new passenger information system (automatic voice).
- largest number for first and second class stickers.
- Cab control car for wheelchairs and bicycles.
- Motorized coaches (Bmx).

In total, 1362 M7 has been ordered.
AB
50 88 36-96 001 ... 225 2016 - ... Alstom [225] 201 200 km/h
   
75+58
Mixed first (upstairs) and seconde (downstairs) class.
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DrOé 26.5.2025
B
50 88 26-96 001 ... 157 2016 - ... Alstom [157] 155 200 km/h
   
140
Second class.
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DrOé 9.6.2025
BD
50 88 82-96 001 ... 127 2016 - ... Alstom [127] 2 200 km/h
   
103
Second class and space for wheelchairs and bicycles.
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DrOé 26.2.2026
BMx
91 88 86-96 001 ... 116 2016 - ... Alstom [116] 111 200 km/h
   
52
Second class.
M7 Bmx are motorised. They are considered locomotives.

017 will never come into service, had an accident.
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DrOé 26.5.2025
BDx
50 88 86-96 001 ... 065 2016 - ... Alstom [65] 53 200 km/h
   
100
Cab control car for wheelchairs and bicycles.
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DrOé 15.9.2025
BVx
50 88 86-96 066 ... 126 2016 - ... Alstom [61] 54 200 km/h
   
110
Cab control car for bicycles.
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DrOé 26.2.2026


Data compilation: DrÓe

Source and documentation:
- Ferrovia: ferrovia.be
- MMFL58: mmfl58.be
- Data base from SNCB/NMBS railway museum "Train World": nmbs.adlibhosting.com/search/simple

Autor of drawings: modified drawings originally by Marc Le Gad.


Last update: 26.2.2026

Explanation of colour marking:

Vehicles in operation
Withdrawn vehicles
Rebuild vehicles in operation
Withdrawn rebuild vehicles
Second-hand vehicles in operation
Withdrawn second-hand vehicles

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