TGV line Lille-Brussels with work track

HSL 1 of Line 1 is the Belgian part of the high-speed line that connects Brussels via Lille with Paris and London. The first section (French border - Y Antoing) was opened on June 2, 1996. The complete line was opened on December 14, 1997. The travel time from Brussels-South to Paris-Nord is now 82 minutes.

The total construction costs amounted to 1.08 billion euros. The route on its own alignment, where only high-speed trains run, begins at the French border, at the transition between the municipalities of Wannehain (France) and Esplechin (Belgium). The line follows the route south of Tournai and Aat, and in Lembeek (city of Halle) transitions into line 96N to Brussels. This line is engineered for a future speed of up to 220 km/h. The HST now travels at a maximum of 160 km/h. The route from the French border to Lembeek is 72 km long.

The connection to London is also secured. On French territory, viewed from Paris, the line splits just behind Lille, westward to London and eastward to Brussels, with further connections to Amsterdam and Cologne.

Near Aat, in the municipality of Mévergnies-lez-Lens, is the maintenance base Le Coucou, from where the line is maintained. This requires the tracks to be kept in good condition, and many structures to be continuously maintained. One of these structures is the Arbre viaduct, over the Aat - Mons road, which at 2050 m is the longest railway viaduct in Belgium.

On HSL 1, the French command post signaling and train control system TVM 430 is installed. The maximum speed is 300 km/h.

In France, HSL 1 continues as LGV Nord.

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