On This Day in 1997, HSL 1 opens in Belgium
On this day in 1997, Belgium celebrated a major milestone in rail transport with the official opening of High Speed Line 1. The line, designed to carry trains at speeds of up to 300 km/h, provided the country with its first dedicated high-speed railway and strengthened Brussels’ position as a key hub in the European rail network. Its launch marked a significant advance in cross-border connectivity, linking Belgium seamlessly with France’s high-speed LGV Nord.
High Speed Line 1 stretches for 88 kilometres from Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi) to the Belgian-French border. Of this, 71 kilometres consist of newly constructed high-speed track, while the remaining 17 kilometres were modernised conventional railway. This combination of new and upgraded infrastructure allowed trains to bypass slower conventional lines and maintain consistently high speeds, dramatically reducing travel times between major cities.
The line was equipped with the TVM‑430 in‑cab signalling system, a cutting-edge technology that ensured safe operation at high speeds. Trains running on HSL 1 could seamlessly transition onto the LGV Nord in France, enabling high-speed international services to operate directly between Brussels and Paris. The integration with the French network cut the journey time to about 1 hour 22 minutes, transforming cross-border travel for both business and leisure passengers.
From the day it opened, HSL 1 carried high-speed international trains including Thalys and TGV services, connecting Belgium not only with Paris but also with wider European destinations. The line’s introduction represented a broader shift in the 1990s toward modern high-speed rail across Western Europe, positioning Belgium as an important link in the continent’s fast-growing high-speed network.
The opening of HSL 1 also laid the groundwork for further expansion of Belgium’s high-speed network. Plans to extend high-speed services toward the Netherlands, Germany, and deeper into the Belgian interior were part of a national strategy to enhance both domestic and international rail travel. The success of HSL 1 demonstrated the potential for modern high-speed rail to reshape travel patterns and support economic integration across borders.
More than two decades after its inauguration, High Speed Line 1 continues to serve as a vital artery for international rail travel in Belgium. Eurostar, Thalys, and TGV trains still operate along the route, maintaining the connections established on 14 December 1997. The line stands as a lasting testament to Belgium’s commitment to modern, efficient, and high-speed transport, and its opening remains a defining moment in the history of European railways.