Vossloh is playing a pivotal role in the modernisation of Belgium’s HSL 1 high‑speed railway, the critical corridor linking Brussels with the French border and the wider European high‑speed network.
Belgium’s rail infrastructure manager Infrabel has awarded Vossloh contracts worth approximately €17 million for the manufacture and long‑term maintenance of high‑speed turnouts, marking a significant milestone in the renewal of infrastructure first commissioned in 1997.
Long‑Term Investment in High‑Speed Rail Reliability
As part of a comprehensive modernisation programme, key components on HSL 1 will be replaced over the coming years to ensure continued safety, reliability and performance on one of Europe’s most heavily used international high‑speed routes, including the Brussels–Paris line.
The agreement includes:
- An eight‑year contract for the supply of high‑speed turnouts, specifically engineered for demanding high‑speed rail operations.
- A separate 20‑year maintenance contract, underlining Infrabel’s long‑term approach to asset performance and lifecycle management.
Predictive Maintenance at the Core
The new turnouts will incorporate advanced sensor technology, enabling continuous monitoring of both the point machine and turnout condition. This data‑driven approach provides decision support for predictive and condition‑based maintenance, reducing failure risk and optimising availability on the high‑speed network.
Industry Leaders on European Rail Collaboration
Benoît Gilson, CEO of Infrabel, said:
“The contract with Vossloh marks a key milestone in the modernization and long-term sustainability of the high-speed network in Belgium and Europe. With an investment of 17 million euros, Infrabel is anticipating the renewal of critical infrastructure that is reaching the end of its service life. The new turnouts we will be deploying incorporate cutting-edge technologies, particularly in the area of predictive maintenance, which will enhance the safety and reliability of operations on the Brussels–Paris line. This partnership is part of a long-term vision and illustrates strong European industrial cooperation. We are preparing the future of high-speed rail by providing a high-performance and safe network for decades to come.”
Oliver Schuster, CEO of Vossloh AG, added:
“We are proud to be a partner in this collaboration on the European high-speed rail network. On routes such as the connection from Brussels to France, the highest standards apply to the safety and quality of components. The fact that Infrabel has selected Vossloh as a supplier for these high-tech turnouts is a great confirmation of our expertise. We are particularly pleased that we have also been entrusted with the maintenance of the components for twenty years. As a solution provider in this partnership, we are thus contributing to sustainably strengthen rail as the most environmentally friendly mode of transport.”
Implications for the European and UK Rail Sector
For rail professionals across the UK and Europe, the project highlights:
- The growing importance of predictive maintenance and digital monitoring
- The value of long‑term supplier partnerships
- Continued investment in high‑speed rail as a low‑carbon transport solution
- Strong cross‑border European industrial cooperation
Image credits: Infrabel & Vossloh
