HSL 2

The HSL 2 is a Belgian high-speed rail line between Leuven and Ans. 64 km long, all of it dedicated high-speed tracks, it began service on 15 December 2002. It is operated and maintained by Infrabel.

When its extension to the German border is completed (the HSL 3), the combined eastward high speed line will greatly accelerate journeys between Brussels, Paris and Germany. HSL 2 is currently used by Thalys and ICE trains as well as fast internal InterCity services.

Route

From Brussels-South, trains travel northwards over Line 0 through Central and North stations. At Schaarbeek the route splits in two; northward bound trains continue over line 25/27 to Antwerp and from there over line 12 (later, HSL 4) to the Dutch border, eastward bound trains continue over line 36/36N to Liège and from there over line 37 (later also HSL 3) to the German border. Between Schaarbeek and Leuven there are four tracks; the two central tracks (line 36N) were planned for 200 km/h direct service, the two outer tracks (line 36) for slower local trains. But the four tracks have platforms at each station and they permit 160 km/h speeds for now.

At Leuven, trains pass through the existing station at 160 km/h. Just outside, HSL 2 proper commences with a speed initially limited to 200 km/h. After a short tunnel, maximum speed is increased to 300 km/h alongside the E40 motorway. Over the last few kilometers, curbing away from the E40, speed is limited to 220 km/h. After quitting HSL 2, trains pass through Ans station at 140 km/h. Between Ans and Liège-Guillemins station, passenger trains run on the modernised line 36 at a speed of 70 (downwards to Liège) or 100 km/h (upwards to Ans).

Other

HSL 2 is used by 300 km/h Thalys PBKA sets, 250 km/h ICE 3M EMU's and 200 km/h domestic InterCity services run by sets of Class 13 locomotives with I11 carriages. From 2009, new SNCB Class 18 EuroSprinter will start appearing on the line. [cite web |url=http://www.railcolor.net/index.php?nav=1405006&lang=1 |title=SNCB/NMBS 18 series |publisher=www.railcolor.net |accessdate=2008-10-02]

Maintenance bases for the line are situated at Leuven and Ans.

The Belgian cabin signaling system TBL 2 has been installed on the HSL 2. It is operated from Block 12 in Brussels.

HSL 2 is standard gauge, double track, electrified with 25 kV, 50 Hz AC.

References

External links

* [http://www.belrail.be/F/infrastructure/signalisation/index.php?page=tbl2 Belrail: info on TBL 2 (in French)]
* [http://www.belrail.be/F/infrastructure/lignes/002.html Belrail: HSL 2 (in French)]
* [http://users.pandora.be/brail/lijn/lijn2.htm Railways in Belgium: HSL 2]