View source for HSL 4

{{Short description|Belgian high-speed rail line}}
{{Infobox rail line
|box_width   = auto
|name        = HSL 4
|color       =
|logo        = 
|logo_width  = 
|image       = Hslbenelux.png
|image_width = 
|caption     = The HSL 4 and [[HSL-Zuid]] railways
|type        = 
|system      = 
|status      = Operational 
|locale      = Belgium
|start       = [[Antwerp]]en-Luchtbal railway station
|end         = [[Netherlands|Dutch]] border 
|stations    = 
|routes      = 
|daily_ridership   = 
|open        = 2009
|close       = 
|owner       = 
|operator    = [[National Railway Company of Belgium]]
|character   = 
|stock       = 
|linelength  = {{convert|36|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|tracklength = 
|tracks     = [[Double track]] 
|gauge       = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}
|load_gauge      = 
|electrification          = [[25 kV AC|{{nowrap|25 kV 50 Hz}}]] 
|speed       = {{convert|300|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|elevation   = 
|map         = {{HSL 4}}
|map_state   = collapsed
}}

The '''HSL 4''' ({{langx|nl|'''Hogesnelheidslijn 4'''}}, {{langx|en|High-Speed Line 4}}) is a [[Belgium|Belgian]] [[high-speed rail]] line part of the {{Convert|87|km}} axis which connects [[Antwerp]] to the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] border. It is {{Convert|40|km}}; {{Convert|36|km}} 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]], [[Siemens Velaro#Velaro e320 (Eurostar)|Eurostar e320]], and [[Intercity Direct]], as well as (on weekdays only) by local and peak hour trains terminating at [[Noorderkempen railway station]]. It was formerly used by fast [[SNCB|internal InterCity]] trains ([[SNCB Class 13|Class 13 locomotives]] with [[SNCB I11 coach|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 {{Cvt|36|km}} 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.

From [[Brussels-South railway station|Brussels South]] station, trains travel northwards through the [[Brussels-Central railway station|Brussels-Central]] and [[Brussels-North railway station|Brussels-North]] stations. At [[Schaarbeek railway station|Schaarbeek]] the line splits in two; the eastern branch continues to [[Liège-Guillemins railway station|Liège]] and the [[Rail transport in Germany|German]] border, the northern branch towards [[Antwerp]] and the [[Rail transport in the Netherlands|Dutch]] border. Between [[Brussels]] and [[Antwerp]] ({{Convert|47|km}}), trains travel at {{Convert|160|km/h}} on [[Belgian railway line 25N|line 25N]] and then the upgraded existing [[Belgian railway line 25|line 25]] (with the exception of a few segments where a speed limit of {{Cvt|100-120|km/h}} is imposed).

=== From Antwerp north ===
In Antwerp, a [[Antwerpen-Centraal railway station#Expansion for high-speed trains|tunnel]] has been constructed underneath the city to permit high-speed trains to run directly through [[Antwerpen-Centraal railway station|Antwerpen-Centraal]] to the new high-speed line north, an extension of line 25 until [[Antwerpen-Luchtbal railway station]], after which line 4 (HSL 4) starts. Trains enter the {{Convert|1.5|km|adj=on}} long, two-tube tunnel past [[Antwerpen-Berchem railway station|Berchem]] at {{Convert|90|km/h}}. They exit the tunnel at {{Cvt|40|km/h}}, it seems due to stability and infiltration concerns.

The line surfaces at Antwerpen-Dam as line 25, and after crossing the [[Albert Canal]], [[Flying junction|crosses]] the existing [[Belgian railway line 12|Antwerp-Essen line]] at {{Cvt|120|km/h}}. At the E19/A12 motorway junction, trains [[Grade separation|leave]] the regular line to run on new dedicated high-speed tracks to the Dutch border ({{Convert|40|km}} away) at up to {{Convert|300|km/h|4=0}}. The route parallels the E19 motorway until the border, which has required the building of several bridges.

The line passes through [[Schoten]], [[Brasschaat]], [[Brecht, Belgium|Brecht]], [[Wuustwezel]], and [[Hoogstraten]], before crossing the border into the [[Netherlands]] and connecting to the Dutch [[HSL-Zuid]].

==Stations==
[[Antwerpen-Centraal]] station has been completely reorganised. A tunnel has been constructed to permit the passage of trains under the city, additionally creating a subterranean junction between [[Antwerpen-Berchem railway station|Antwerpen-Berchem]] and {{ill|Antwerpen-Dam railway station|nl|Station Antwerpen-Dam|fr|Gare d'Anvers-Dam|de|Bahnhof Antwerpen-Dam}}, passing through Antwerpen-Centraal. With these works completed, the station has four levels and 14 tracks:
*level +1 (the original station) has 6 terminating tracks, arranged as two groups of three (line 59/1 to Ghent and line 12 to the depot, workshop and cleaning station in Antwerp-Schijnpoort) separated by an opening allowing natural light to reach the lower levels
*level 0 contains ticketing facilities and commercial space
*level −1 (7 meters below road level) has 4 terminating tracks, also arranged as two groups (line 27 to Brussels, for services terminating in Antwerp).
*level −2 (18 meters below road level) has 4 tracks, which end up in the two-track-wide tunnel under the city (used by high-speed, InterCity and local passenger trains between the North and South of Antwerp — freight trains go around the East of Antwerp on line 27A to the harbour)

The HSL 4 is the only high-speed line in Belgium that features an intermediate station at [[Noorderkempen railway station|Noorderkempen]] (municipality [[Brecht, Belgium]]) for use in regular speed passenger service.

== Tunnel Peerdsbos ('Solar Tunnel') ==
The line features a 'Solar Tunnel' near Antwerp. The above-ground tunnel Peerdsbos is comparable to an [[snow shed|avalanche gallery]] except instead of snow it protects the trains from falling trees and the highway traffic on the E19. It was constructed as an alternative to felling parts of the nearby forest. The 'tunnel' is unique as it is covered with 16,000 solar panels. The line's operator claim this provides 3300 MWh of electricity per year and cuts {{CO2}} emissions by 2400 tonnes a year.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140414103954/http://www.enfinitycorp.com/downloads/news-releases/europes-first-green-train Europe’s first “green” train leaves the station thanks to Belgium’s Solar Tunnel] June 6, 2011</ref>

==See also==
* [[High-speed rail in Belgium]]

==External links==
*[http://www.belrail.be/F/tgv/ligne3.html Belgian high-speed rail site] {{in lang|fr}}

{{commons category|HSL 4}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{High-speed railway lines}}
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[[Category:High-speed railway lines in Belgium]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 2009]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge railways in Belgium]]
[[Category:Railway lines in Flanders]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Antwerp]]
[[Category:25 kV AC railway electrification]]