HSL 2 Wikipedia Article HSL 3 Wikipedia Article Welcome to Belgian High Speed. These are the high-speed lines 2 & 3 linking to the existing SKA route in Aachen to the Belgian capital Bruxelles. Running up to 300km/h fast, these lines are dominated by the Thalys and ICE International trains. Whilst this route requires the development of both ETCS Levels 1 & 2, this will be a future-prove investment, as more and more lines in Europe and even Worldwide are equipped with ETCS. Quick Facts: Length: 140,6km Max. Speed: 300km/h Track Gauge: 1435mm Catenary Voltage: 25kV 50Hz | 3kV = Safety System: ETCS L2 FS | ETCS L1 FS | TBL1+ Route: We start in Aachen Hbf, already running under Belgian voltage. Tracks 6-9 in Aachen are equipped with a voltage changer and both German and Belgian safety systems, enabling both Belgian and German trains to access Aachen Hbf without requiring special equipment for the other country. Drivers of international trains can use a key switch on the platform to change to voltage whilst stopping at the station. After a short tunnel, we cross the border, driving through Hergenrath, where we automatically change from German PZB to ETCS. Entering HSL 3, the first high-speed section of the route, with a max. speed of 260km/h under ETCS Level 2 we arrive a Liège-Guillemins after 20min. After Liège we enter HSL 2, the second high-speed section running under ETCS Level 1. After Leuven we again run on the classic line, passing through Bruxelles Nord into the North-South connection, the busiest railway tunnel in the world. Arriving at Bruxelles-Midi our journey comes to an end, after ~1:10h of driving. Rolling Stock: Thalys TGV 43000 PBKA Thalys is a high-speed rail operator, owned by the Eurostar Group, with which it is currently merging its brand. Its main corridor runs from Paris to Bruxelles with two branches to Amsterdam and Köln. The PBKA (Paris-Bruxelles-Köln-Amsterdam) trains are based on the TGV POS, which are constructed out of TGV Duplex power cars and TGV Résau coaches. The PBKA features a quad-voltage electric drive and all safety systems for France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The PBKA is mostly found on the German branch of the Thalys network. The Dutch branch is also served, by the cheaper to build and operate, PBA. DB BR 406 ICE 3M (layer from SKA) The multisystem-compatible version of the ICE 3 is certified to run in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Due to the required ETCS and TBL it needs a small update to enable these safety systems. The ICE 3M is special because it is able to display ETCS information with old analog-style instruments (no display). SNCB HLE 28 Traxx F140 MS2E The HLE 28 is the multi-system version of the existing BR 185 in the game. It supports all common four voltages found in Europe and safety systems for Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. Freight trains normally run on the parallel classic lines, but some use the high-speed lines when there are free capacities. Optional Extras: Intercity DLC: SNCB HLE 18 ES60U3 The HLE 18 was built by Siemens between 2008-11, hauling nearly all Intercity services in Belgium. Siemens designates these locos as ES60U3. They were the successor to the ES64U4 Taurus (BR 182) and the predecessor to the Vectron family (BR 193). They run with either I11 single-deck or M7 double-deck coaches or a combination of both. They only run on HSL 2 with 200km/h and change to the classic line in Liège. New ICE DLC: DB BR 408 ICE 3neo Introduced in 2022, the ICE 3neo is the newest member of the ICE family. Based on the very similar BR 407 ICE 3MS, these trains will replace the old ICE 3M when they get their certification for Belgium and the Netherlands. The ICE 3neo will, in addition to the international service to the BeNeLux region, mostly run on the fastest high-speed lines in Germany and those with ETCS installed (SFS Köln-Rhein/Main, VDE8, SFS Wendlingen-Ulm).
We definitely need this type of route and thanks to the new Editor some Creators could potentially create this route, than we don't have to wait for DTG to complete it and they can continue their projects
wow beautiful images' I am already a big fan of the idea never thought that High-speed lines in Belgium are so fascinating in Landscape. Belgian commuter service together with HSL trains and a brand new country to change systems all in one route. for real this one has to come
atleast we would be able to take the ICE3 up to 300km/h as well as operating under a different type of signalling
Good idea but I doubt we will ever have the Thalys licence... But Betwen Brussel South and Louvain there is a commuter route parallel to the "high speed line" so I would include the HLE 18 in the base route and the Desiro AM 08 EMU (For the commuting) as a DLC
Thalys has been taken over by Eurostar last year. The trains still have the Thalys livery, but they will all be repainted this year in the Eurostar livery. So DTG will need the Eurostar licence.
Yes, the license has to be acquired from the Eurostar Group. So if DTG can get a license from Eurostar the chances are pretty high, they're allowed to use both Eurostar and Thalys brands. And I would rather like to see the Thalys trains in their original red livery, than in the new Eurostar livery.
The Thalys PBA and PBKA will both keep their original livery except for the Thalys Logo that will switch to the Eurostar's
Excellent idea overall if you are wondering you can try merging it with the conventional Network these are Spoorlijn 0 Brussel Zuid Brussel Noord followed Spoorlijn 36 37 Brussel Noord Leuven Luik Aken Aachen Hbf. You gain a Belgian train capable of operating cross border Belgium to Germany Suburban services are carried out by MS08 MS39-79 trains
