The feasibility of a railroad was investigated by engineers Pierre Simons and Gustave De Ridder.

In 1843, when the major East-West/North-South axes were complete, private companies were allowed to construct and use their own rail systems.

It was named the SNCB (Société nationale des Chemins de Fer belges) or NMBS (Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische Spoorwegen), named in a similar way to the French rail network, SNCF, which was founded 12 years later.

On 5 May 1935 the SNCB started with electrification on the line Brussels North to Antwerp Central, 44 kilometres (27 mi).

Most electrified Belgian lines use a 3 kV DC overhead power supply, but the high speed-lines are electrified at 25 kV AC, as are recent electrifications in the south of the country (Rivage - Gouvy and Dinant - Athus lines).

Public sector employees are entitled to a free or heavily subsidised season ticket for commuting by rail.