Vossloh will supply high-speed switches for the modernization of Belgium’s HSL 1 line, which connects Brussels to the French border, under contracts awarded by the railway infrastructure manager Infrabel. The contracts, covering both the production and maintenance of the components, are worth approximately EUR 17 million.
The HSL 1 line, which entered service in 1997, is undergoing an extensive modernization program, under which several key components are to be replaced in the coming years.
Eight-year contract for delivery and 20-year contract for maintenance
According to Vossloh, the contract for the supply of high-speed switches spans a period of eight years, and a separate agreement covers their maintenance for 20 years.
The company notes that the new switches are specifically designed for high-speed rail requirements and are equipped with sensors that continuously monitor the condition of the drive system and the switch itself. The collected data is used to support maintenance decisions.
Infrabel relies on predictive maintenance
Infrabel’s CEO, Benoît Gilson, stated that awarding the contract to Vossloh represents “a key step in the modernization and long-term sustainability of the high-speed network in Belgium and Europe.”
“With this EUR 17 million investment, Infrabel is planning to replace critical infrastructure that is reaching the end of its service life. The new switches we will install incorporate state-of-the-art technologies, particularly in the area of predictive maintenance, which will improve the safety and reliability of operations on the Brussels–Paris line,” he said.
The official added that the partnership is part of a long-term vision and exemplifies European industrial cooperation in the railway sector.
Long-term contract
For his part, Oliver Schuster, CEO of Vossloh AG, stated that the company’s selection for this project confirms its expertise in components for high-speed railway infrastructure.
“On routes such as the link between Brussels and France, the highest safety and quality standards apply to components. The fact that Infrabel chose Vossloh as the supplier for these high-tech switches is an important confirmation of our expertise,” he said.
Schuster also emphasized that Vossloh received not only the supply contract but also the long-term maintenance contract, which allows the company to participate in the sustainable modernization of the European high-speed rail network.
Share on:
