fr-es_HSL_1a.jpg (61969 bytes)

Works for the Perpignan-Figueres HSL, seen looking Eastwards, some 4km East of Le Boulou, a few weeks after their official start. At this stage, the HSL will pass over the Tech (further left), and will then begin to run up towards the cross-border Alberes Tunnel. Trompettes-Hautes (Commune de Montesquieu-des-Albčres). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_2a.jpg (44851 bytes)

Works for the Perpignan-Figueres HSL, seen looking towards Spain, some 4km East of Le Boulou, some weeks after their official start. At this stage, the HSL will begin to run up through this hill, towards the cross-border Alberes Tunnel, whose portal will stand at the top of the Ravin de Balmourčne. Trompettes-Hautes (Commune de Montesquieu-des-Albčres). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_3a.jpg (50051 bytes)

Works for the Perpignan-Figueres HSL, seen a few weeks after their official start, looking Eastwards, some 4km East of Le Boulou. At this stage, the HSL will still run up in a 20% (1 in 50) gradient to the cross-border Alberes Tunnel, whose portal will stand on the right. One bulldozer was clearing the site on that day. Ravin de Balmourčne (Commune de Montesquieu-des-Albčres). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_4a.jpg (60032 bytes)

Works for the Perpignan-Figueres HSL, seen a few weeks after their official start, looking towards Spain, some 4km East of Le Boulou. At this stage, the HSL will reach the cross-border Alberes Tunnel, whose portal will stand in the background, as indicated by the 2 engineers of Eiffage on duty on that day. One bulldozer was clearing the site on that day. Ravin de Balmourčne (Commune de Montesquieu-des-Albčres). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_5a.jpg (46348 bytes)

Works for the Perpignan-Figueres HSL, seen close to the Northern Portal for the cross-border Alberes Tunnel. Ravin de Balmourčne (Commune de Montesquieu-des-Albčres). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_6a.jpg (70684 bytes)

North end of the French-Spanish village of Le Perthus-El Portús (Els Límits), seen from the Fort de Bellegarde (France). The Perpignan-Figueres HSL will run through the Alberes Tunnel (8171m) at this stage. Interestingly, the tunnel will be routed some 110m underneath the border point where Motorways A9 and A7 converge... The French-Spanish border actually stands further right (off-pic, shortly beyond the motorway bridge). The route marked in pink is that originally planned for the cross-border tunnel. It was dropped in 1991, owing to serious risk of subsidence in the surroundings of the French Portal (Maureillas). It would actually have run pretty much in parrallel to Motorway A9. Fort de Bellegarde (Le Perthus-Els Límits). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_7a.jpg (53678 bytes)

North end of the French-Spanish village of Le Perthus-El Portús (Els Límits). The Perpignan-Figueres HSL will run through the Alberes Tunnel (8171m) at this stage. Interestingly, it will be routed some 110m underneath the border point where Motorways A9 and A7 converge... The route marked in pink is that originally planned for the cross-border tunnel. From this place, one can see Perpignan pretty well. Fort de Bellegarde (Le Perthus-Els Límits). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

fr-es_HSL_8a.jpg (76567 bytes)

South end of the French-Spanish village of Le Perthus-El Portús (Els Límits). This is actually the Spanish sector (Els Límits), seen from the Fort de Bellegarde (France). The Perpignan-Figueres HSL will run through the Alberes Tunnel (8171m) at this stage, some 100m underneath the Main Street (Avinguda d'Espanya). Actually, the HSL will run slightly further West than on this pic, accross this street, still underneath the French sector. I had to displace the stripe, for the purposes of this pic. Had Spanish plans overriden French views in 1864, the Perpignan-Barcelona conventional line would have been routed there, with a border station. Something that would doubtless have appealled pretty much to both trainspotters and booze-riders :-)) Fort de Bellegarde (Le Perthus-Els Límits). 21st February 2005. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)