Smart turnouts for Belgian high-speed line
posted on 17th Apr 2026 14:57
With the delivery of turnouts, Vossloh is contributing to the modernization of Belgium’s HSL 1 high-speed line from Brussels to the French border. The Belgian infrastructure manager Infrabel awarded the contracts for the manufacture and maintenance of turnouts to Vossloh.
As part of the comprehensive modernization of the line, which went into service in 1997, key components will be replaced in the coming years. The eight-year contract provides for the delivery of high-speed turnouts by Vossloh, while a separate contract covers their maintenance for a period of 20 years.
The turnouts, engineered for the special demands of high-speed railways, are equipped with sensors which continuously monitor the condition of the point machine and the turnout, providing decision support for the maintenance.
Benoît Gilson, CEO of Infrabel: “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 EUR, 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.”
