Editing High Speed 1 (section)

== Infrastructure ==
[[File:Ctrl-testing-Descending off the Ashford flyover.jpg|thumb|right|A high-speed tunnel and flyover take non-stopping trains past Ashford International at {{convert|270|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}]]
The railway is maintained from [[Singlewell Infrastructure Maintenance Depot]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaystrategies.co.uk/article-page.php?contentid=6773&issueid=226|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521073948/http://www.railwaystrategies.co.uk/article-page.php?contentid=6773&issueid=226|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 May 2013|date=1 January 2009|title=High Speed 1 security|work=Railway Strategies|publisher=Schofield Publishing|issue=226}}</ref>

The construction work of the line was complex, and many contractors were involved in delivering them.<ref>{{cite web |title=Section 2 Major Contracts – Descriptions |url=http://www.highspeed1.com/downloads\hs1s2contracts.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20081001202115/http://highspeed1.com/downloads/22/hs1s2contracts.pdf |archive-date=1 October 2008 |access-date=11 February 2010 |publisher=High Speed 1}}</ref> The CTRL Section 2 construction works had caused considerable disruption around the Kings Cross area of London; in their wake redevelopment was stimulated.<ref>{{cite web |title=The regeneration benefits of the CTRL |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/ctrl/theregenerationbenefitsofthect1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803033428/http://dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/ctrl/theregenerationbenefitsofthect1 |archive-date=3 August 2009 |access-date=1 August 2009 |publisher=[[Department for Transport]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Griffiths |first=Emma |date=5 August 2005 |title=Developers see London's eastern promise |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/england/london/4734433.stm |url-status=live |access-date=1 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107234859/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4734433.stm |archive-date=7 January 2022}}</ref> The large redevelopment area includes the run-down areas of post-industrial and ex-railway land close to [[London King's Cross railway station|King's Cross]] and St Pancras, a conservation area with many listed buildings; this was promoted as one of the benefits for building the CTRL.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.m2.com/m2/web/story.php/2001CEA1C0D532E8359480256A230040E5C7 |title=Final phase of Channel Tunnel Rail Link will be major regeneration boost – Prescott |publisher=London and Continental Railways |date=3 April 2001 |access-date=17 May 2014 |archive-date=13 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113024143/http://www.m2.com/m2/web/story.php/2001CEA1C0D532E8359480256A230040E5C7 |url-status=live}}</ref> It has been postulated that this development was actually suppressed by the construction project,<ref>{{cite news |author=Plowden, Stephen |date=2 April 2001 |title=Special Report – Coming soon: the Dome on wheels |work=[[New Statesman]] |location=London |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/200104020018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061227205646/http://www.newstatesman.com/200104020018 |archive-date=27 December 2006}}</ref> and some affected districts were said still to be in a poor state in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |last=Glancey |first=Jonathan |date=27 May 2005 |title=Tunnel vision |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/may/27/transport |url-status=live |access-date=7 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829050258/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/may/27/transport |archive-date=29 August 2013 |quote=Somers Town, on one side of St Pancras, remains little more than a slum, while King's Cross is still an unzipping ground for low-rent prostitution, a crack needle in the side of civilised London.}}</ref>

=== Track ===
Both track and signalling technology ([[Transmission voie-machine|TVM-430]] + [[Contrôle de vitesse par balises|KVB]]) are based on or identical to the standards used on the French [[Lignes à Grande Vitesse|LGV]] high-speed lines. The areas around St Pancras and Gare du Nord use colour light and KVB signalling<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Deviations/Derogation/07-099-DGN.pdf |title=07 099 DGN certificate |format=Certificate of Derogation from a Railway Group Standard |publisher=Rail Safety and Standards Board |page=2 |date=24 August 2007 |access-date=13 February 2012 |quote=The new CTRL St Pancras terminal station and approaches is fitted with colour light signalling. In addition, the continuous supervision KVB Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system is installed to comply with CTRL requirements for full ATP. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002123655/http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Deviations/Derogation/07-099-DGN.pdf |archive-date=2 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> with the whole of the high-speed route to Paris (CTRL, Channel Tunnel, LGV Nord) using TVM-430. Traffic between London and the Channel Tunnel is controlled from the Ashford signalling centre. Signalling tests before opening were performed by the [[SNCF]]-owned "Lucie" test car.<ref>{{cite news|quote=Certification of the TVM430 signalling system on the CTRL almost caused a delay in opening of section 1 in 2003.|title=Britain finally joins the high-speed club: the first section of CTRL opens on 28 September|work=[[International Railway Journal]]|date=August 2003}}</ref>

The track is {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}<ref name="network-statement-2009" /> cleared to a larger modern European GC [[loading gauge]]<ref name="network-statement-2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.highspeed1.com/resources/documents/HS1%20Network%20Statement.pdf|title=HS1 Network Statement|date=17 August 2009|publisher=HS1 Limited|pages=17, 19|quote=3.3.1.2 Track Gauge & Structure Gauge: The nominal track gauge is 1435&nbsp;mm. ... 3.3.2.1 Loading Gauge: … UIC "GC" on HS1; and UIC "GB+" on Ashford connecting lines … Waterloo connection .. structure gauge (W6/W6A)|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414094508/http://www.highspeed1.com/resources/documents/HS1%20Network%20Statement.pdf|archive-date=14 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> enabling GC gauge freight as far as the yards at [[Barking, London|Barking]].<ref name=DfTlong>{{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/strategyfinance/strategy/freightnetwork/strategicfreightnetwork.pdf |title=Strategic Freight Network: The Longer-Term Vision |publisher=Department for Transport |access-date=17 May 2009 |page=15 |quote=20.5 European freight link (UIC GB+ Gauge): A European loading gauge freight link has been secured as far as Barking through Channel Tunnel |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304080044/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/strategyfinance/strategy/freightnetwork/strategicfreightnetwork.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/features/feature1345/|title=Eurostar Revamps High-Speed Service|newspaper=Railway Technology |date=15 October 2007|access-date=11 February 2010|archive-date=28 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128022405/http://www.railway-technology.com/features/feature1345/|url-status=live |author1=Cmsadmin }}</ref> The line is electrified entirely using [[overhead lines]] with [[25 kV AC railway electrification]].[[File:Class373-eurostar-north-downs-tunnel-high-speed-1-telephoto.jpg|thumb|right|[[North Downs Tunnel]], northern portal under [[Blue Bell Hill]]]]

=== Tunnels ===
After local protests,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L9ANAAAAIBAJ&pg=6778,3597181&dq=channel+tunnel+rail+line+protests&hl=en |title=Britons protest tunnel rail routes |work=[[Tampa Bay Times|St Petersburg Times]] |date=27 February 1989 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1989/11/20/72772/index.htm |title= Full Throttle towards a new era |quote= To put some steel into 1992, the Europeans are building a network of tunnels, bridges, and high speed railways |publisher= CNN |first= Shawn |last= Tully |date= 20 November 1989 |access-date= 3 August 2020 |archive-date= 23 November 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201123200026/https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1989/11/20/72772/index.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> early plans were modified to put more of the route into tunnels up until a point approximately {{convert|2|km|mi}} from St Pancras. Previously the CTRL was planned to run on an elevated section alongside the [[North London Line]] on approach into the line's terminus. The twin tunnels bored under London were driven from [[Stratford, London|Stratford]] westwards towards St Pancras, eastwards towards [[Dagenham]] and from Dagenham westwards to connect with the tunnel from Stratford. The [[tunnel boring machine]]s were {{convert|120|m|ft|0}} long and weighed {{Convert|1100|t|4=0}}. The depth of the tunnels varies from {{convert|24|to|50|m|ft}}. The two London tunnels are {{Convert|7.5|km|mi}} and {{convert|10.1|km|mi}} in length, split by [[Stratford International station]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=May 2013 |title=HS1 Sectional Appendix |url=https://highspeed1.co.uk/media/3txaz5b5/sectional-appendix-to-the-hs1-rule-book-ref-c-02-os-05-2002.pdf |access-date=17 November 2021 |website=High Speed 1 |page=A10 |quote=LONDON TUNNEL 1 (7538m)}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=May 2013 |title=HS1 Sectional Appendix |url=https://highspeed1.co.uk/media/3txaz5b5/sectional-appendix-to-the-hs1-rule-book-ref-c-02-os-05-2002.pdf |access-date=17 November 2021 |website=High Speed 1 |page=A12 |quote=LONDON TUNNEL 2 (10120m)}}</ref>

Other major tunnels along the route include a {{convert|3.1|km|mi|2|abbr=in|adj=on}} tunnel underneath the River Thames at [[Thurrock]] in Essex<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=May 2013 |title=HS1 Sectional Appendix |url=https://highspeed1.co.uk/media/3txaz5b5/sectional-appendix-to-the-hs1-rule-book-ref-c-02-os-05-2002.pdf |access-date=17 November 2021 |website=High Speed 1 |pages=A14 |quote=THAMES TUNNEL (3115m)}}</ref> and the {{convert|3.2|km|mi|2|abbr=in|adj=on}} [[North Downs Tunnel]] near [[Maidstone]] in Kent.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=May 2013 |title=HS1 Sectional Appendix |url=https://highspeed1.co.uk/media/3txaz5b5/sectional-appendix-to-the-hs1-rule-book-ref-c-02-os-05-2002.pdf |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=High Speed 1 |page=A19 |quote=NORTH DOWNS TUNNEL (3199m)}}</ref>

=== Viaducts ===
Several major viaducts are present on the route, with three viaducts over {{Convert|1000|metres|ft}} in length. The [[Medway Viaducts|Medway Viaduct]] takes the line over the [[River Medway]] adjacent to the [[M2 motorway (Great Britain)|M2 motorway]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=May 2013 |title=HS1 Sectional Appendix |url=https://highspeed1.co.uk/media/3txaz5b5/sectional-appendix-to-the-hs1-rule-book-ref-c-02-os-05-2002.pdf |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=High Speed 1 |page=A18 |quote=Medway Viaduct (1261m)}}</ref> the Thurrock Viaduct takes the line under the [[A282|A282 Dartford Crossing]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2013 |title=HS1 Sectional Appendix |url=https://highspeed1.co.uk/media/3txaz5b5/sectional-appendix-to-the-hs1-rule-book-ref-c-02-os-05-2002.pdf |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=High Speed 1 |page=A14 |quote=THURROCK Viaduct (1024m)}}</ref> and the Ashford Viaduct takes the fast lines over [[Ashford International railway station|Ashford International station]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=May 2013 |title=HS1 Sectional Appendix |url=https://highspeed1.co.uk/media/3txaz5b5/sectional-appendix-to-the-hs1-rule-book-ref-c-02-os-05-2002.pdf |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=High Speed 1 |page=A23 |quote=ASHFORD VIADUCT (1430m)}}</ref>

=== Connection line to Waterloo ===
A {{convert|4|km|adj=on|spell=in}} connecting line providing access for [[Waterloo International railway station|Waterloo International]] leaves High Speed 1 at Southfleet Junction using a grade-separated junction; the main CTRL tracks continue uninterrupted through to CTRL Section 2 underneath the southbound flyover. The connection joins the [[Chatham Main Line]] at Fawkham Junction with a flat crossing. The retention of [[Eurostar]] services to Waterloo after the line to St Pancras opened was ruled out on cost grounds.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2865114.ece | title=Five Waterloo platforms left in limbo by Eurostar pullout | newspaper=[[The Times]] | date=14 November 2007 | access-date=2 May 2009 | location=London | first=Ben | last=Webster | archive-date=5 August 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805105319/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2865114.ece | url-status=dead }}</ref> Waterloo International closed upon opening of the section two of the CTRL in November 2007; Eurostar now serves the refurbished St Pancras as its only London terminal, so this connecting line is no longer used in regular service,<ref name="transpancras">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7079915.stm |title=The transformation of St Pancras |work=BBC News |date=6 November 2007 |access-date=14 December 2007 |first=Nick |last=Higham |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110000828/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7079915.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/eurostar/738722/Eurostar-will-cross-London---in-15-hours.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911192834/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/eurostar/738722/Eurostar-will-cross-London---in-15-hours.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 September 2012 |title=Eurostar will cross London&nbsp;— in 15 hours | newspaper = The Daily Telegraph | location = London |last=Millward |first=David |date= 3 November 2007 | access-date=16 April 2009 }}</ref> but can be used by Class 395 passenger trains.<ref>{{cite AV media | people = Middleton, Peter (Producer) | year = 2009 | title = Eurostar: Brussels-Midi to London St Pancras International | url = http://www.video125.co.uk/acatalog/Eurostar_Brussels_to_London_St.Pancras.html | format = DVD | time = 1hr 29min 35sec | publisher = Video 125 Ltd |url-access=subscription 
}}</ref>