Thanks to the opening of a new viaduct in Bruseels, the path of Thalys trains has been tightened of 3 minutes.

The initial goal of 1hr20 (which is actually already doable) might be the official time in 2009.

These trains leave every half hour, so this must certainly be Europe's best train service.

>> so this must certainly be Europe's best train service. <<

It actually depends on how you define "best". The short journey time is really great, but the rolling stock - TGV Réseau - is the least comfortable of all TGVs, and the prices have gone nowhere but up since the opening of the line.

Does it really matter if one gets there in 1:22 hr instead of 1:25 hr - or even 1:28 hr?

>> Does it really matter if one gets there in 1:22 hr instead of 1:25 hr - or even 1:28 hr? <<

I don't understand really your question. It does not "matter" : it's a statement of fact, a piece of information about a rail link that is very popular with tourists.

As to the railway authorities, yes, it matters quite much.

I've ridden most of the high speed trains in Europe and have been on Thalys dozens and dozens of times and don't find it the most uncomfortable of the TGV class. My solo seat has usually been pretty comfortable and I like the breakfast service at the seat, something you don't get on "regular" TGVs, even in first class. That's not to say the trains couldn't use freshening, but I still find it just as comfortable as the TGVs I've taken through France.

>As to the railway authorities, yes, it matters quite much. <

So, how many euro are being spent to save 3 minutes?

>As to the railway authorities, yes, it matters quite much.

Not only to railway authorities. 3 minutes can turn a very rushed, unsafe connection in a station like Brussels into one with reasonable time to change trains. And this, again, can easily save you an hour or more.
All because of 3 minutes.

>> I've ridden most of the high speed trains in Europe and have been on Thalys dozens and dozens of times and don't find it the most uncomfortable of the TGV class. My solo seat has usually been pretty comfortable and I like the breakfast service at the seat, something you don't get on "regular" TGVs, even in first class. That's not to say the trains couldn't use freshening, but I still find it just as comfortable as the TGVs I've taken through France. <<

Heck, you're riding them on 1st class ! You're right, then they're really comfortable... but they're cramped in 2nd class, on a par of discomfort with the Atlantique trainsets.

>> So, how many euro are being spent to save 3 minutes? <<

I have no idea of the actual price of the viaduct, but don't think that its sole purpose is to save 3 minutes on TGV journeys ! It is also very useful for Belgian local trains : some of them use it, and the "space" freed by the TGVs on the other tracks is very much appreciated.