Shortly after opening, both stations were handling large volumes of commuter, regional and international passengers, but through journeys required disembarking and a street-level transfer through the city's old town, a distance of over 3 km (1.9 mi).

The idea of an underground railway line linking the two stations was first suggested in the 1860s, as part of a proposal for the covering of the Senne,[2] although it was never implemented.

The current version was planned before World War II, after a decision originally made in 1909, and it came into service on 5 October 1952.

The largest of the new stations, Brussels-Central, was built to additionally serve regional and international services transiting through Brussels.

The combination of a city-centre location and numerous services to diverse destinations led to Brussels-Central becoming the busiest station in Belgium.

All regular national (inter-city and local) trains that use the line stop at North, Central and South stations.

The same year, the construction of Brussels-Central was entrusted to his son, Maxime Brunfaut, following the death of the architect Victor Horta.