The Esch/Alzette railway station is slowly taking on a new look
A little less than ten years ago, a new station building and a new station forecourt were made available to customers in Esch/Alzette. An aesthetic endeavour that gave one of Luxembourg’s largest train stations new charm in one fell swoop.
Over time, however, the station’s platforms, marquees and other infrastructure have gradually become worn. A fact that was also reported by numerous customers in the regular satisfaction surveys. Reason enough for the CFL to take matters into their own hands and give this important railway station in the south of the country a little makeover.
Completely renovated – the platforms in Esch/Alzette
Customers travelling to/from Esch have certainly already noticed it. Platform II (tracks 2 and 3) has now been replaced by a completely renovated platform. The new surface of paving stones is square and it’s good that it also offers important orientation points for people with visual impairments thanks to specially standardised podotactile stone elements.
The canopies of the platforms, including the supports, have also benefited from a new coat of paint. Several thousand liters of paint not only give the platform roofing a literal new shine, but also provide the necessary weather protection.
A darker shade of grey was chosen for the color, which blends in perfectly with the surroundings. A labour-intensive undertaking that took almost four weeks. The reason for this is that the only way to give the marquee a new coat of paint was with a brush, skill and patience due to the ongoing train traffic. The new appearance will be rounded off soon with the installation of edge plates. Together with the marquees, these will provide the necessary protection in adverse weather conditions: An important element to ensure the comfort of customers.
‘In the surveys, customers asked us to make the station in Esch/Alzette more inviting and modern. A place that radiates a little more warmth and makes you want to travel (further) from here. With the work that has already been carried out, we have taken some big steps in the right direction,’ reveals Job, the project manager responsible on site.
The topic of safety was also an integral part of this project. Job, who has been working at the CFL for six years, is thinking in particular of the preparation of the platform surface, where additional cables have been laid so that the so-called SOS pillars can soon be installed here. At the touch of a button, customers will be connected to the CFL staff who can organise help in an emergency.
The safety line, i.e. the white line that marks the minimum distance between customers and the edge of the track, also shines in new white and the unmistakable exclusion zone pattern along the entire length of the platform (300 metres).
Read also: Simpy explained : The safety line
However, some final finishing work is still required on this platform, i.e. the final laying and tiling of the electrical cables, the installation of the SOS pillars and the installation of rubbish bins, which will replace the temporary ones attached to the site fences.
Esch/Alzette : The revamp continues
When asked what the next steps are, Job replies that work will now continue on the pedestrian subway, among other things. ‘The subway in Esch/Alzette is being completely renovated. The work includes, for example, renewing the steps leading to the station. Blue stones, like those laid on the forecourt of Luxembourg City’s railway station, will be used here as well.
The side walls of the subway will be lined with Trespa, a composite material that is not only lightweight, but also durable and easy to install. A splash of colour that, together with the redesign of the canopy above the first platform, will provide more light, colour and comfort. Speaking of comfort: in future, two benches several hundred metres long will provide more seating on the first platform. In addition to the significant increase in comfort, these also offer the option of clean cable routing for the CFL, which will be concealed beneath them. The new seating will also be clad with the modern composite material. The work at Esch/Alzette station is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2024, beginning of 2025.
