It's 1 June 1980 - 40 years ago from the time of writing - and we are excited! We are so excited we're using exclamation marks! Why are we excited? Well new timetables are always exciting and this year there is something to cause extra excitement.

Even the Timetable Planners in Utrecht are excited. We can tell because they're using an exclamation mark as well. It took a lot to get a Timetable Planner excited in 1980. The only thing I can think of that would do it might, and only might, be New Cardigan!! Double exclamation mark for that one.

In the editorial on page 1: Elk uur een Intercity van Roosendaal via Antwerpen en Gent naar Oostende!

Every hour an Intercity from Roosendaal to Oostende. That is very exciting because for those of us travelling to Middelburg via the Dover - Oostende ferry (the Channel Tunnel is still Watkin's dream 40 years ago), that means one easy change of train at Roosendaal. It will get even more exciting in a few years with the coming of the Jetfoil but that's not for today.

A quick look at the timetable shows a departure every hour at 55 past the hour from Roosendaal from 07.55 to 21.55, 7 days a week of course. The end-to-end journey time is 2hr 3min. It's a similar picture in the reverse direction. Same journey time with hourly departures 06.41 to 19.41.

Of course The Belgian delivery of an 'Intercity' service could, and still to this day can, be something of a disappointment. Anyone who has been on the new Siemens EMUs in the last few years knows that. In 1980 it was the same. The new Intercity service was to be operated by the also new class AM75 8XX series EMUs.

Actually I do have a soft spot for these trains - despite the 3 + 2 bench seating in second class - mainly due to happy memories as opposed to passenger comfort. And, because they were first introduced in 1975, they had a rather smart orange (and silver) livery nicely illustrated by 830 and 837 side-by-side at Antwerpen Centraal on 24 September 1981.

The first photo I can find of an Oostende service at Roosendaal is this showing 835 forming the 14.54 on 5 April 1982. How (I hear you cry) does a Belgian EMU operate into the Netherlands when everyone knows that Belgian voltage is 3000V DC and the Dutch run on 1500V? Is there a special track with variable voltage? Was the unit converted to dual-voltage especially for this service? Wrong and wrong. In fact the units dropped their pantograph at the gap between the two systems, raised them again on the other side and continued at half voltage. We like this low-tech solution because it worked and, as we will see, continues to work to this day. Of course, it doesn't work the other way around.

A ticketing interlude. Yes, that is my writing. Issued at Nottingham on 9 August 1983.

This is 813 approaching Roosendaal some years later (exact date to be dug out). Two things are noteworthy. The unit has been improved with a nice, new livery. I am leaning out of the window on the train just departed en-route for Middelburg. Happy days.

Even later this is 818 at Oostende. The really eagle-eyed (I don't actually believe you exist) will have noticed that these are 4-car units (that doesn't require eagle eyes) with different door spacing - 1/3 and 2/3rd spacing for the three second class cars and end of vehicle doors for the first (that does). Check out 818 in the earlier photo. The yellow band above window level - which without fail denotes first class on any train anywhere - has cleverly been extended above the cab windows so those in the know can make a quick dash as the train is running in.

We will say farewell to the Oostende - Roosendaal Intercity with this photo of 830 at Roosendaal early in 1991. The service lasted until the May 1998 timetable change and that's a tangent for another day.

We are now in this century, 2011 to be exact and the Oostende Intercity has now been replaced by an hourly Stoptrein to Antwerpen Centraal. I have also moved to the lofty heights of travelling in the posh end of the train. And despite the grubby exterior of 835, the first class interior is smashing. Vintage 1975. Plenty of luggage space, a classy colour scheme and comfortable seats.

And finally, fast forward to today - or 2019 given train riding for the sake of it is currently discouraged.

The hourly Stoptrein continues still with AM75s, extended beyond Antwerpen to Puurs. Here the 09.52 awaits departure on 5 April 2019. The indicator shows the 10 rather tedious stops between Roosendaal and Antwerpen.

The units have been further improved. A new livery and new seats in first class. Unfortunately they are dull, dull, dull. Fortunately they are reasonably comfortable and it's good to retain the option on local trains. This is 820 approaching Essen, a view of the first and then on arrival at Roosendaal on 5 June 2019.

Last chance for some class. Unrefurbished 832 on 16 June 2019.