What I am able to find reading about taking IC trains (going from Amsterdam to Bruges) it ways you cannot take luggage larger than hand carry on items on these trains. Is that similar to carry on size on planes? Or can I take on larger items that need to be check on planes? Thanks for any help.

First, please provide a source where you found the info, so we can see the context.

If you look at the Netherlands Rail web site http://www.ns.nl/binaries/content/as...0-23-en_01.pdf, they define the hand luggage in very loose term. See chapter 1, article 12 acceptable articles and animals, PDF doc page 12. Some people can handle a 30" luggage easily while others struggle with a 22". If you don't get in the way of other people or delay the train, they really don't care. Unlike some countries, they don't enforce rules just for the sake of enforcing them. If you ride IC trains heading to the Schiphol airport, people get on with huge luggage.
Google "luggage on train netherland photos" and see what you find.

I just checked for you with NS HiSpeed.
You can take two large suitcases and a piece of hand baggage on the IC to Brussels, regardless of weight, provided you can handle them your self, and do not delay the train or interfere with other passengers.

<i>...and do not delay the train or interfere with other passengers</i>

This has to be my biggest pet peeve when taking the train: people with several large suitcases that stack them up on the seat beside them (or in the aisle) then block the aisle for way too long as they try to get all of their luggage off the train.

thanks so much for the help!