HSL 1

HSL 1
Thalys on HSL 1
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNMBS/SNCB
LocaleBelgium
Termini
Stations1
Service
TypeHigh-speed rail
SystemNMBS/SNCB
Operator(s)Eurostar
Thalys
TGV
History
Opened1997
Technical
Line length88 km (55 mi)
Number of tracksDouble track throughout + loops
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Loading gaugeUIC GC
ElectrificationOverhead line25 kV 50 Hz AC
Operating speed300 km/h (186 mph)
SignallingTVM-430
Route map

km
0.0
Halle
Arbre Viaduct
over the Dender
to Tournai│to Mons
Scheldt River
73.0
209.8
198.0
Frétin triangle

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 LGV Nord, it has also impacted international journeys to other cities in France and to London, ensuring high-speed through-running by Eurostar, TGV, Thalys PBA and Thalys PBKA trainsets.

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.


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