HSL 2

The HSL 2 (French: Ligne à Grande Vitesse (LGV) 2, Dutch: Hogesnelheidslijn 2, English: High-Speed Line 2) is a Belgian high-speed rail line between Leuven and Ans (near Liège) and is 66.2 km (41 mi) long, all of it on dedicated high-speed tracks, which began service on 15 December 2002. As part of the Belgian railway network, it is owned, technically operated and maintained by Infrabel.

HSL 2
HSL 2 near Hoegaarden alongside A3/E40
Overview
StatusIn operation
OwnerInfrabel
LocaleBelgium
Termini
Stations0
Service
TypeHigh Speed Rail
Heavy rail
SystemBelgian HSL
Operator(s)Thalys, ICE, SNCB/NMBS
Depot(s)Forest, (Leuven, Ans)
Rolling stockThalys PBKA, ICE 3M, SNCB Class 18 or Class 13 + I11 or I6 or I10
History
Opened15 December 2002
Technical
Line length66 km (41 mi)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV, 50 Hz AC
Operating speed300 km/h (186 mph)
Route map
Brussels-North
0.00
Line 36
Schaerbeek
to Buda
 Haren-Zuid
to Haren
Diegem
Brussels Ring (R0)
to Brussels Airport Airport interchange
 Kortenberg
 Erps-Kwerps
 Veltem
 Herent
BE-A2.svg A2BE-E314.svg E314
Canal crossing
to Mechelen
to Aarschot and Hasselt
0.00
 Leuven
to Wavre and Ottignies
BE-N25.svg N25
Line 36 to Tienen and Liège
Bierbeek tunnel
northwest portal
BE-A3.svg A3BE-E40.svg E40
Bierbeek tunnel
southeast portal
Waremme - Landen line
former Liège - Brussels line
Bierset-Awans
BE-E42.svg E42
BE-E25.svg E25
66,2
 Ans
Liège-Guillemins

Since the extension to the German border was completed (the HSL 3), the fastest journey time between Brussels South and Cologne Central Station is 1 hour and 47 minutes. HSL 2 is used by Thalys and ICE trains as well as fast internal Belgian Railways InterCity services.

Route
HSL 2 near Berloz alongside A3/E40

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 25N, line 25, Antwerp and HSL 4 to the Dutch border, eastward bound trains continue over line 36N, line 2 and line 36 to Liège and from there over line 37 and HSL 3 and again line 37 to the German border. Between Schaarbeek and Leuven there are four tracks; the two outer tracks, line 36, permit travel at 160 km/h (99 mph). The two central tracks, line 36N, were planned for 200 km/h (124 mph) direct service and trainsets equipped with ETCS 1 are now allowed to travel at 200 km/h (124 mph).

At Leuven, trains pass through the existing station at 160 km/h (99 mph). Just outside, HSL 2 proper commences with a speed initially limited to 200 km/h (124 mph). After the Bierbeek tunnel (758 m),[1] maximum speed is increased to 300 km/h (186 mph) alongside the E40 motorway. Over the last few kilometers, curbing away from the E40, speed is limited to 220 km/h (137 mph). Quitting HSL 2, trains run to Ans station at 140 km/h (87 mph). Between Ans and Liège-Guillemins station, passenger trains run on the modernised line 36 at a speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) (downwards to Liège) or 140 km/h (87 mph) (EMUs upwards to Ans).

Other

HSL 2 is used by 300 km/h (186 mph) Thalys PBKA sets, ICE 3M EMUs on international services, and 200 km/h (124 mph) domestic InterCity services run by sets of Class 18 or Class 13 locomotives with I6, I10 or (mostly) I11 carriages. Trains with the new SNCB Class 18 locomotives appeared on the line.[2] probably in 2010.[3] The DB Velaro D (BR407) was planned to use the route on its way to London, however these plans have since been shelved due to technical and financial problems, and it is unknown if the units will find use on the current ICE International services from Brussels to Germany.[4]

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

ETCS 1 has been installed on the HSL 2. It is operated from Block 12 in Brussels.

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

See also

References
  1. "Tranchée couverte de Bierbeek". Structurae. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
  2. "SNCB/NMBS 18 series". www.railcolor.net. Retrieved 2 October 2008.
  3. "45 nouvelles locomotives de la SNCB inutilisables" (in French). La Dernière Heure. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  4. "Plans for UK-Germany high speed rail services shelved due to 'significantly changed economic environment'". 17 June 2018.
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