HSL 1
HSL 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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standard gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loading gauge | UIC GC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | Overhead line, 25 kV 50 Hz AC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating speed | 300 km/h (186 mph) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Signalling | TVM-430 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The HSL 1 (Dutch: Hogesnelheidslijn 1, English: High-Speed Line 1) is a high-speed rail line which connects Brussels, Belgium, with the LGV Nord at the Belgium–France border. It is 88 km (55 mi) long with 71 km (44 mi) of dedicated high-speed tracks and 17 km (11 mi) of modernised lines. Service began on 14 December 1997.
The line has appreciably shortened journey times, the journey from Paris to Brussels now taking 1 hour 22 minutes. In combination with the
The total construction cost was €1.42 billion.[citation needed] The signalling system installed is the TVM-430 in-cab signalling system, the same as LGV Nord in France, and High Speed 1 in the UK.
Route
Trains leave
Between Rebecq and Enghien the line parallels the A8 autoroute, separated by a security fence. At Enghien the line parallels the regular Brussels–Tournai line for approximately 10 km (6 mi).
The maintenance depot "Le Coucou" is located near Ath. This station served as the operations base during the construction of the line (from 1993 to 1998) and currently serves as the maintenance depot for HSL 1. Slightly further on is the 2,005 m (2,193 yd) long Arbre Viaduct (one of the longest rail viaducts in Europe) between Ath and Chièvres; it passes over the Ath–Blaton canal, the Dender River, the Mons road and the Ath–Jurbise railway.
At Antoing there is a connector to the Mons–Tournai line, used by the Thalys between Paris and Namur. After passing over the 483 m (528 yd) Scheldt River Viaduct, and through the 365 m (399 yd) Bruyelle cut-and-cover section, the line crosses the Belgian-French border at Wannehain, km 88. Eleven kilometres (7 mi) further on, the Frétin triangle splits the LGV Nord towards Paris or Lille.
See also
Notes
- ^ "Eurostar - New £ 7.5 million railway viaduct at brussels midi station further enhances eurostar reliability on the London-Brussels route". Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
External links