European High-Speed Rail Expands Across the Continent with Five New Line Segments

Trains to Travel at Speeds of Up to 186mph

Five new track segments, including one between Brussels and Amsterdam, have opened to European high-speed train travel, shortening travel time among major European destinations.

Thalys trains will operate along the new routes, which include links between Antwerpen, Belgium and the Dutch border. The company will run trains between Antwerpen and Rotterdam at speeds of up to 186 miles per hour, while speeds between Rotterdam and Amsterdam will not increase until June 2011, pending signal upgrades.

The Dutch government recently invested in more than 62 miles of new tracks along the HSL Zuid route between Antwerpen and Brussels, via Rotterdam. While some Dutch NS Hispeed trains have been operating along these tracks at speeds of up to 99 miles per hour, new trains to be delivered this fall will operate at 155 miles per hour. Upon delivery of those trains, service will extend to Brussels, and operate under the new brand, Fyra, owned by Belgium’s SNCB, NS Hispeed, and Air France.

Source: www.thetransportpolitic.com

February 2, 2010