The Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (; Luxembourg National Railway Company; abbr. CFL ) is the national railway company of Luxembourg. In 2025, it carried approximately 31.4 million passengers. As of 2023, the company employs around 5,000 people, making CFL the country's largest corporate employer.

The Luxembourg rail system comprises 275 route-kilometres (170 miles), of which is double track and single track. Of the total track length of , are electrified at 25 kV, 50 Hz.

Luxembourg borders Belgium, France and Germany. Correspondingly, there are cross-border services into these countries. Some are wholly run by CFL, whereas others are run by SNCF, NMBS/SNCB and DB. CFL passenger trains cover most of the network.

CFL operates most of its passenger trains using EMUs and electric locomotives with push-pull stock. The company also has a fleet of diesel locomotives for hauling freight trains and for general shunting purposes.

Luxembourg is a member of the International Union of Railways (UIC). The UIC Country Code for Luxembourg is 82.

History

CFL is the result of a nationalisation of private railway companies in 1946.

CFL operations and services

Passenger train routes CFL advertises its passenger network as made up of seven lines:

Line 10 Luxembourg – Troisvierges-Frontière – Liège (Belgium), Kautenbach – Wiltz and Ettelbrück – Diekirch Line 30 Luxembourg – Wasserbillig-Frontière – Trier (Germany) Line 50 Luxembourg – Kleinbettingen-Frontière – Brussels (Belgium) Line 60 Luxembourg – Esch-sur-Alzette – Rodange, Bettembourg – Volmerange-les-Mines (France), Noetzange – Rumelange and Esch-sur-Alzette – Audun-le-Tiche (France) Line 70 Luxembourg – Rodange – Athus (Belgium), Rodange – Longwy (France) Line 90 Luxembourg – Thionville (France) – Metz (France) – Nancy (France)

Internally it uses a different system with more sub divisions:

Ligne 1 Luxembourg – Troisvierges-Frontière, 1a Ettelbruck – Diekirch, 1b Kautenbach – Wiltz Ligne 2a Kleinbettingen – Steinfort, 2b Ettelbruck – Bissen Ligne 3 Luxembourg – Wasserbillig-Frontière via Sandweiler-Contern Ligne 4 Luxembourg – Berchem – Oetrange, 4a Luxembourg - Alzingen Ligne 5 Luxembourg – Kleinbettingen-Frontière Ligne 6 Luxembourg – Bettembourg-Frontière, 6a Bettembourg – Esch/Alzette, 6b Bettembourg – Dudelange-Usines (Volmerange), 6c Noertzange – Rumelange, 6d Tétange – Langengrund, 6e Esch-sur-Alzette – Audun-le-Tiche, 6f Esch-sur-Alzette – Pétange, 6g Pétange – Rodange-Frontière (Aubange), 6h Pétange – Rodange-Frontière (Mont St. Martin), 6j Pétange – Rodange-Frontière (Athus), 6k Brucherberg – Scheuerbusch Ligne 7 Luxembourg – Pétange

Rail links to adjacent countries All neighbouring countries have railways. France uses the same electrification of 25 kV AC. The border crossings with Belgium also use that same voltage at both sides; the transition to 3 kV DC is at 55 to 135 km inside Belgium itself. Belgium – change to 3 kV DC (but far inside Belgium) France – same voltage and current Germany – change to 15 kV AC

Ridership Passenger ridership carried on CFL-trains for each fiscal year (x 1000).

1938: 9,505 1950: 10,607 1960: 10,643 1970: 12,531 1980: 14,053 1990: 12,692 2000: 12,985 2006: 14,793 2007: 16,442 2008: 17,676 2009: 17,039 2010: 17,996 2011: 18,200 2012: 19,834 2013: 20,714 2014: 21,503 2015: 22,496 2016: 22,459 2017: 22,930 2018: 23,331 2019: 25,016 2020: 14,500 2021: 16,600 2022: 22,000 2023: 28,700 2024: 31,300 2025: 31,400

Passenger kilometers on CFL-trains for each fiscal year (x 1,000,000).

1938: 215 1950: 227 1960: 230 1970: 256 1980: 302 1990: 261 2000: 332 2006: 298 2007: 233 2008: 345 2009: 333 2010: 347 2011: 349 2012: 373 2013: 385 2014: 409 2015: 418 2016: 417 2017: 438 2018: 443 2019: 463 2020: 269 2021: 304 2022: 389

Rolling stock

CFL owns a relatively modern fleet of passenger trains, with a majority of double-decker trains. Nearly all routes are operated with electric trains. CFL locomotives and rolling stock

Projects In 2019, doubling of track between Luxembourg railway station and Sandweiler-Contern at a cost of €462 million was completed, following an original planned 2013 opening. A new, more direct, line between Luxembourg and Bettembourg is due to open in 2027.

Fares CFL trains are free of charge within Luxembourg, with the exception of first class. For international journeys, a ticket is required.

See also CFL Cargo Denmark Trams in Luxembourg Transport in Luxembourg Train categories in Luxembourg

References

Further reading

External links

CFL official website