{{Short description|Railway in the Netherlands}} {{Infobox rail line | name = Hanzelijn | image = Hanzelijn.PNG | caption = Route of the Hanzelijn | image_width = 250px | locale = Netherlands | open = 2012 | operator = Nederlandse Spoorwegen<br>Arriva | gauge = Standard ({{RailGauge|sg|disp=or}}) | electrification = 1.5 kV DC <!-- (not {{frac|16|2|3}} Hz AC?) --> | speed = ATB-EG: {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}<br>ETCS: {{convert|200|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | signalling = ATB-EG, ETCS Level 2 | linelength = {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} | website = [http://www.hanzelijn.nl/ www.hanzelijn.nl] | map = {{Lelystad-Zwolle railway diagram}} | map_state = collapsed }}
The '''Lelystad–Zwolle railway''', also known as the '''Hanzelijn''' ({{langx|en|Hanseatic Line}}), is a Dutch railway line, finished in 2012. It connects Lelystad, capital of the province of Flevoland, with Zwolle, capital of the neighbouring province of Overijssel, and provides a direct rail link between Flevoland and the north-east of the Netherlands.
==Construction== The Hanzelijn project is a less costly alternative to the {{Interlanguage link|Zuiderzeelijn|lt=Zuiderzeelijn|nl}} (Zuiderzee Line), a proposed new Lelystad-Groningen line via Emmeloord, Heerenveen and Drachten for which planning was cancelled in 2007.
Work started in January 2007 and was completed in December 2012. Two new stations have been built: Dronten and Kampen Zuid. The maximum speed on most of the line is {{convert|200|km/h|abbr=on}}. {{As of|2022}}, no Dutch domestic rolling stock is capable of achieving this speed, as all existing rolling stock was limited to {{convert|160|km/h|abbr=on}}. Since the trains currently running on the line only use train protection system ATB-EG, speed is limited to {{convert|140|km/h|abbr=on}} in practice. Operator NS is planning to operate their new ICNG trains on the route, which are capable of achieving the higher speeds. Delays in manufacturing have caused their introduction to be no earlier than the second half of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=treinreiziger.nl |date=2021-02-17 |title=Nieuwe treinen (ICNG) vertraagd, wijzigingen dienstregeling 2023 uitgesteld |url=https://www.treinreiziger.nl/nieuwe-treinen-icng-vertraagd-wijzigingen-dienstregeling-2023-uitgesteld/ |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Treinreiziger.nl |language=nl}}</ref>
On 6 December 2012 the railway was opened by Queen Beatrix, using the Dutch Royal Train to traverse the new track. Scheduled services began operating on 9 December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=45,000 travellers pack the train on Opening Day [Dutch]|url=http://www.hanzelijn-hattem.nl/nieuws/383/45000_reizigers_pakken_de_trein_op_de_open_dag_/|work=hanzelijn-hattem.nl|accessdate=12 December 2012}}</ref> The journey from Lelystad to Zwolle takes 25 minutes, reducing journey times from Amsterdam to Zwolle – and further north – by about 15 minutes. The total length of the new track is 50 km.<ref>{{citation | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//largest-hanze-line-contract-signed.html | title=Largest Hanze Line contract signed | date=2009-05-26 | publisher=Railway Gazette International | accessdate=2009-08-31 }}</ref><ref>{{citation | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//netherlands-hanze-line-construction-ready-to-start.html | title=Netherlands: Hanze Line construction ready to start | author=Peter Badcock | date=2006-12-01 | publisher=Railway Gazette International | accessdate=2009-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{citation | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view//running-faster-in-the-netherlands.html | title=Running faster in the Netherlands | date=2008-03-17 | publisher=Railway Gazette International | accessdate=2009-08-31 }}</ref>
==Infrastructure== The line includes a {{Convert|790|m|ft}} tunnel under the {{Interlanguage link|Drontermeer|lt=Drontermeer|nl}} (the semi-artificial channel separating the mainland from the reclaimed Eastern Flevoland), and joins the existing Utrecht–Kampen railway just before the {{Convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} high-level fixed bridge over the river IJssel. This new bridge, known as the {{Interlanguage link|Hanzeboog|lt=Hanzeboog|nl}}, includes a separate pedestrian and cycle track in addition to the double-tracked railway. It opened on 14 June 2011, replacing a rail-only twin-span vertical-lift drawbridge that had been in place since just after the Second World War.
thumb|Tunnel under the Drontermeer
==Journey times== The Hanzelijn has shortened journey times between Zwolle and Amsterdam by at least 10 minutes, and up to 20 minutes for some journeys. Interliner express bus route 330, which connected Lelystad and Zwolle, was discontinued upon opening of the Hanzelijn.
{{Wide image|Nieuwe spoorbrug bij Zwolle gezien vanaf de IJssel.jpg|800px|New rail bridge near Zwolle over the river IJssel, viewed towards the East. This bridge carries the '''Hanzelijn''', and the Utrecht-Kampen railway.}}
==See also== * ZwolleSpoort project
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Hanzelijn}} *{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.hanzelijn.nl/ Hanzelijn]
{{coord missing|Netherlands}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lelystad-Zwolle railway}} Category:Buildings and structures in Flevoland Category:Buildings and structures in Overijssel Category:Railway lines in the Netherlands Category:Railway tunnels in the Netherlands