HSL 4

The HSL 4 (, , ) is a Belgian high-speed rail line part of the axis which connects Antwerp to the Dutch border. It is ; of it being dedicated high speed tracks. It was scheduled for completion by 2005 and opened in 2009. Together with the HSL 1 to the French border and HSL-Zuid to Amsterdam, the line has shortened journeys between Brussels, Paris and the Netherlands. HSL 4 is used by Thalys, Eurostar e320, and Intercity Direct. It was formerly used by fast internal InterCity trains (Class 13 locomotives with I11 vehicles) and by Fyra, both of which were replaced by the Intercity Direct services. Route The high-speed HSL 4 begins just north of Antwerp (near Luchtbal), and runs where it meets the Dutch border. From Brussels to Antwerp Though HSL4 begins in Antwerp, it is part of a Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam corridor. High speed trains like Thalys, upon departing Brussels for Amsterdam, first use the existing, conventional track, electrified at 3 kV DC.