High-speed rail in the Netherlands

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A Thalys train at Amsterdam Centraal Thalys Amsterdam Centraal.jpg
A Thalys train at Amsterdam Centraal
A Fyra train in the Dutch countryside Fyra V250 4806.jpg
A Fyra train in the Dutch countryside

High-speed rail service in the Netherlands started on 13 December 2009 with the dedicated HSL-Zuid line that connects the Randstad via Brussels to the European high-speed rail network. In later years improved traditional rail sections were added to the high-speed network. Proposals for more dedicated high-speed lines were deemed too costly; plans for the HSL-Oost to Germany were mothballed and instead of the Zuiderzeelijn the less ambitious Hanzelijn was built to enable future high-speed service between the northern provinces and the Randstad.

Contents

As of 2020 three high-speed train services are operative in the Netherlands: Thalys, Intercity Express (ICE), and Eurostar; the short-lived Fyra service was cancelled in 2013 after severe reliability issues.

History

As early as 1973, the Den Uyl cabinet discussed a high-speed railway line in the Netherlands. It was not until 1988 that the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) started three HSL projects, namely HSL-Zuid, HSL-Oost, and HSL-Noord (Zuiderzeelijn). The overall plan, called Rail 21, was approved in 1989, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the first railway in the Netherlands (1839). HSL-Zuid was constructed between 2000 and 2006, and began operating in 2009. HSL-Oost was cancelled in 2001, HSL-Noord was cancelled in 2007. The Hanzelijn (constructed 2006–2012) partially took over HSL-Noord's role in connecting the west and north of the country through Lelystad and Zwolle, and has been built to be eventually upgraded to 200 km/h (120 mph), but so far trains on this track are not running at high speeds yet. [1] New plans for a HSL-Noord, now dubbed 'Lelylijn' instead of 'Zuiderzeelijn', were unveiled in 2019; a feasibility study, with the support of all national political parties, is underway and expected to be finished in late 2020. [2]

Following numerous problems with the V250 multiple units the Fyra service on HSL-Zuid was cancelled in January 2013 after less than two months in full service. A week later Thalys and Eurostar trains replaced the Fyra to a less frequent and slower timetable. The Intercity Nieuwe Generatie (ICNG) is scheduled to be introduced on Dutch high-speed rails (HSL-Zuid and the Hanzelijn) in 2023. [1]

Lines

HSL-Zuid

HSL-Zuid, connected to Antwerp with the HSL 4 Hslbenelux.png
HSL-Zuid, connected to Antwerp with the HSL 4

HSL-Zuid (Dutch : Hogesnelheidslijn Zuid, English: High-Speed Line South) is a 125 km (78 mi) high-speed railway line in the Netherlands. Using existing tracks from Amsterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airport, the dedicated high-speed line begins here and continues to Rotterdam Centraal and to the Belgian border. Here, it connects to the HSL 4, terminating at Antwerpen-Centraal. Den Haag Centraal (The Hague) and Breda are connected to the high-speed line by conventional railway lines. Services running at 160 km/h (99 mph) on the HSL-Zuid began on 7 September 2009 between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. From December 2009, Thalys trains from Amsterdam to Brussels and Paris have run on HSL-Zuid. From December 2012 to January 2013 (40 days in total) the Fyra V250 trains ran on HSL-Zuid between Amsterdam and Brussels, only to have service suspended because of the poor quality (and safety risks) of the Italian-made trains. [3]

LineRouteSpeedLengthConstruction beganStart of revenue services
HSL-Zuid Schiphol - Antwerpen300 km/h (186 mph)147 km (91 mi) (125 km (78 mi) in the Netherlands)20002009

Stations

The HSL-Zuid serves the following stations:

Between Rotterdam and the Belgian border there is a branch to Breda (from 04-04-2011).

Hanzelijn

Hanzelijn (English: Hanseatic line) is a 50 km (31 mi) high-speed railway line in the Netherlands. It connects Lelystad, capital of the province of Flevoland, with Zwolle, capital of the neighbouring province of Overijssel, and provides a direct rail link between Flevoland and the north-east of the Netherlands. The maximum speed on the line is 200 km/h (124 mph), though no Dutch domestic rolling stock can achieve speeds greater than 160 km/h (99 mph). Only by clearing the line for International trains is the line speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) reached.

LineRouteSpeedLengthConstruction beganStart of revenue services
Hanzelijn Lelystad - Zwolle200 km/h (124 mph)50 km (31 mi)20072012 [4]

The completion of the Hanzelijn in 2012 turned Zwolle into the Netherlands' second-most important railway junction. [4] A new type of train, the Intercity Nieuwe Generatie (ICNG), will be introduced in 2023 on the HSL-Zuid track from Breda via Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam Zuid, Lelystad, Zwolle, Groningen and Leeuwarden. On the Breda–Schiphol HSL-Zuid stretch and the Lelystad–Zwolle Hanzelijn stretch, this new train will be able to achieve 200 km/h (124 mph) instead of the regular 160 km/h (99 mph). The current direct trains from Breda to Zwolle run via 's-Hertogenbosch and will take 2h 21m. The current fastest route is up to 8 minutes faster if you transfer at Rotterdam Centraal. The new direct route from Breda to Zwolle that will be using the HSL-Zuid removes the need for a transfer the total trip time is expected to be shortened by roughly 30 minutes. [1]

Proposed and cancelled lines

HSL-Oost

HSL-Oost (Dutch: Hogesnelheidslijn-Oost, English: High-Speed Line East) is the name of a proposed high-speed line from Amsterdam into Germany via the Dutch cities of Utrecht and Arnhem. The scope of the project has now been reduced, but it is expected that German ICE trains will be able to travel at 200 km/h (124 mph) from Amsterdam to Utrecht in the near future. Currently, ERTMS has been installed on the line, but the soil is soft and needs time to stabilize after the recent expansion works.[ citation needed ] Transport Minister Tineke Netelenbos turned against the HSL-Oost, deeming it unfeasible and arguing that public funds were better spent on improving existing infrastructure; the NS eventually agreed. In December 2001, the parliamentary coalition parties Labour, VVD and D66 finally voted in favour of Netelenbos' plan to not double the railway tracks until 2020, and instead only optimise the current two rails with sidetracks so that faster trains can overtake slower ones, and more efficient techniques to let trains drive more closely after one another beginning in 2007. [5] [6]

In 2009, a new feasibility study for the HSL-Oost after the year 2020 was promised by Transport Minister Camiel Eurlings. On 22 September 2010, the study named Synergie in railcorridors: Een onderzoek naar het integraal ontwerpen van railnetwerken was published, which stated that a new design method could make the HSL-Oost economical after all. [7]

Other lines

According to the ProRail 2030 plan, several mainlines will be upgraded. To decrease journey time, some sections are likely to become operated at 160 km/h (99 mph) or 200 km/h (124 mph). Still it's uncertain, if the whole line between Amsterdam and Groningen will be upgraded or few stretches of it. By the end of 2021 the decision of selecting routes to be upgraded is to be made. Some of mainlines, capable for 140 km/h (87 mph) can be upgraded to 160 km/h (99 mph) after re-signalling and even for 200 km/h (124 mph) after four-tracking and changing electrification from DC to AC.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSL-Zuid</span> Dutch high-speed railway

The HSL-Zuid, is a 125 kilometre-long Dutch high-speed railway line running between the Amsterdam metropolitan area and the Belgian border, with a branch to Breda, North Brabant. Together with the Belgian HSL 4 it forms the Schiphol–Antwerp high-speed railway. Originally scheduled to be in service by 2007, the first public operations began on 7 September 2009, after a ceremony on 6 September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amsterdam Zuid station</span> Railway station in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam Zuid is a railway station situated in the borough of Amsterdam-Zuid in Amsterdam, Netherlands. For a number of years, it was named Amsterdam Zuid WTC, in reference to the neighbouring World Trade Center Amsterdam. During 2006, in conjunction with the rapid development of the area surrounding the station, the station was enlarged and the reference to the WTC was formally dropped from the name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HSL 4</span> Belgian high-speed rail line

The HSL 4 is a Belgian high-speed rail line part of the 87 kilometres (54 mi) axis which connects Antwerp to the Dutch border. It is 40 kilometres (25 mi); 36 kilometres (22 mi) of it being dedicated high speed tracks. It was scheduled for completion by 2005 and opened in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NS International</span>

NS International, formerly NS Hispeed, is a passenger railway operator based in the Netherlands that operates international intercity and high-speed connections to several European cities. It is a subsidiary of the Dutch state-owned railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utrecht Centraal railway station</span> Railway station in the Netherlands

Utrecht Centraal, officially Station Utrecht Centraal, is the transit hub that integrates three bicycle parkings, two bus stations, two tram stops and the central railway station for Utrecht, Netherlands. It is the biggest train station in the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High-speed rail in Belgium</span>

Belgium's high-speed rail network provides mostly international connections from Brussels to France, Germany and The Netherlands. The high-speed network began with the opening of the HSL 1 to France in 1997, and since then high-speed lines have been extended towards Germany with HSL 2 in 2002, HSL 3 from Liège to the German border in 2009, and HSL 4 from Antwerp to the Dutch border in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in the Netherlands</span>

Rail transport in the Netherlands uses a dense railway network which connects nearly all major towns and cities. There are as many train stations as there are municipalities in the Netherlands. The network totals 3,223 route km (2,003 mi) on 6,830 kilometres (4,240 mi) of track; a line may run both ways, or two lines may run on major routes. Three-quarters of the lines have been electrified.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AnsaldoBreda V250</span> High-speed train

The Trenitalia ETR 700, originally NS Hispeed V250, is a high-speed train designed by Pininfarina and built by AnsaldoBreda originally for NS International and NMBS/SNCB to operate on the Fyra service, a high speed train between Amsterdam and Brussels with a branch to Breda on the newly built HSL-Zuid in the Netherlands and its extension HSL 4 in Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diemen railway station</span>

Diemen is the main railway station of the municipality of Diemen, Netherlands. It is located on the Amsterdam–Zutphen railway between Amsterdam Science Park and Weesp. The station was first opened in 1882 and then closed in 1929. It was reopened at the same location in 1974. The station building was completed in 1978. The train services are operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Among the direct destinations are Almere, Amersfoort, Amsterdam Centraal, Hilversum, Lelystad, and Zwolle. There are connections to two bus services operated by GVB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Almere Muziekwijk railway station</span>

Almere Muziekwijk is a railway station in Almere, The Netherlands. It is located approximately 20 km east of Amsterdam. It is on the Weesp–Lelystad railway. The station was opened in 1987 when the line Weesp - Lelystad Centrum was built. In 1987 Almere Centrum and Almere Buiten stations opened before the Almere Buiten - Lelystad section was completed in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Almere Buiten railway station</span>

Almere Buiten is a railway station in Almere, Netherlands. It is located approximately 27 km (17 mi) east of Amsterdam. The station is located on the Weesp–Lelystad railway, connecting Weesp and Lelystad Centrum. The station was opened in 1987 when the line Weesp - Lelystad Centrum was built. In 1987 Almere Centrum and Almere Muziekwijk stations also opened before the Almere Buiten - Lelystad section was completed in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lelystad Centrum railway station</span>

Lelystad Centrum is a railway station in the town of Lelystad, Netherlands. The station is on the Flevolijn and Hanzelijn and the train services are operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen. The station was opened on 28 May 1988 after the extension from Almere Buiten was completed. The station was doubled in size to 4 platforms to accommodate the increase in trains following the opening of the Hanzelijn on 9 December 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amersfoort Centraal railway station</span> Railway station in Amersfoort, Netherlands

Amersfoort Centraal is the main railway station in Amersfoort in the province of Utrecht, Netherlands. The station was an important link between the western part of the Netherlands and the north and east of the country until December 2012 when the Hanzelijn opened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breda railway station</span> Railway station in Netherlands

Breda railway station is a railway station in Breda in North Brabant, Netherlands. It is situated on the Breda–Rotterdam railway, the Roosendaal–Breda railway and the Breda–Eindhoven railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rotterdam Centraal station</span> Railway station in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rotterdam Centraal station is the main railway station of the city Rotterdam in South Holland, Netherlands. The station received an average of 112,000 passengers daily in 2019. The current station building, located at Station Square, was officially opened in March 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fyra</span> European high-speed rail service

Fyra was an international high-speed rail service between the Netherlands and Belgium using the AnsaldoBreda V250 train. The service used the HSL-Zuid and HSL 4 railway lines to connect Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels. Continuous technical difficulties suspended the service, and it was eventually permanently halted due to reliability and safety concerns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amsterdam–Schiphol railway</span> Railway line in the Netherlands

The Amsterdam–Schiphol railway is an important 17 kilometre long railway line in the Netherlands that connects Amsterdam with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and allows trains to continue to Leiden, The Hague, and Rotterdam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schiphol Airport railway station</span> Railway station in the Netherlands

Schiphol Airport railway station is a major passenger railway station in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands, beneath the terminal complex of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen. The station's six platforms are accessible via twelve escalators and three elevators located in the main concourse of the airport. The original station was opened in 1978, and the current station in 1995. It connects the airport to Amsterdam and other cities in the Netherlands, as well as to Belgium and France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intercity Direct</span> Dutch higher-speed train service

Intercity Direct is a Dutch higher-speed train service operating on the HSL-Zuid, connecting Amsterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam Centraal and Breda. In December 2013, Fyra was rebranded to Intercity Direct. It is part of NS International.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Erik Luiten (22 November 2019). "Treinreizigers straks half uur sneller vanaf Breda naar Zwolle in nieuwe trein die 200 km/u haalt". BN DeStem (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  2. ↑ Leeuwarder Courant (3 December 2019). "Kamer stemt voltallig in over motie Lelylijn van Randstad naar Groningen". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  3. ↑ "SNCB pulls out of Fyra V250 deal - Railway Gazette". 2018-08-07. Archived from the original on 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  4. 1 2 Lex van Kooten (18 February 2020). "Regio Zwolle schiet omhoog op economische ladder (hoe doen ze dat?)". De Stentor (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  5. ↑ Broer Scholtens, Harry van Gelder (22 December 2000). "Twee sporen is meer dan vier". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  6. ↑ "Kamer trekt eis extra HSL-spoor in". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 4 December 2001. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  7. ↑ "Synergie in railcorridors - PDF". 2018-09-28. Archived from the original on 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
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