Belgian diesel tram closes

In the Belgian Ardennes the village of Han-sur-Lesse has since 1906 been the starting point for a 5.4km diesel tramway taking visitors to the cave complex Grottes de Han. The metre-gauge line was part of the Belgian Vicinal network but has been a standalone operation since 1955. It was unusual in that passengers were taken from the village to the caves, and made their own way back through the cave complex, while the diesel autorail and their toast rack trailers returned empty. With the regional split of the former Vicinal networks, the line was owned by Walloon operator TEC, but leased to the Domaine des Grottes de Han. On 16 January it was announced that the tramway staff were being laid off after TEC decided it no longer wished to be involved in the tramway. Although they offered the line and rolling stock to the Domaine for EUR 5M, the cave operator (a public limited company that receives no subsidies), that has expanded its operation to include a wildlife park that now attracts more visitors then the caves, decided to accept the closure of the tramway as part of the re-orientation of the tourism offerings.