High-speed rail in Denmark

As a part of a long-term green plan for transportation in Denmark in December 2008, the government at the time presented a high-speed strategy for the inter-city train traffic, called The Hour Model (Danish: Timemodellen).

[3][4] The funding was supported by Enhedslisten and Dansk Folkeparti in a political agreement on 17 September 2013, when the potential outcome where adjusted to DKK 28.5 billion.

The trains could reach high speed only on the Berlin-Hamburg section, and would continue on regular railway lines into Denmark.

[7][12] In March 2011, the Danish Ministry of Transport published a strategic analysis of new transport connections between Copenhagen and Aarhus, including two alternative strategies for fulfilling the Hour Model between Odense and Aarhus:[12] The parts which have received the go-ahead so far are: The sections which are still pending approval are: The Vejle Fjord bridge is the main reason for approval still pending, as there is strong local opposition to the new trains bypassing the city center.

The treaty between Denmark and Germany for construction of the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link includes hinterland projects in both countries.

5 km of the Øresund Line closest to the border uses Swedish signalling, and 200 km/h is allowed here (only SJ X2 trains reach this speed here), as the only railway in Denmark.

[22] The project was tendered out in four contracts: Most of the InterCity train traffic in Denmark is currently operated using the diesel powered IC3 stock.

[28] On 1 March 2013, DKK 8.7 billion was reserved for electrifying the main lines Fredericia – Frederikshavn, Roskilde – Kalundborg and Vejle – Struer.

[34] Beside the Hour Model, additional high-speed rail lines in Denmark are discussed as a part of fixed link projects.

The strategic analysis of new transport connections between Copenhagen and Aarhus included a third alternative for decreasing the travel time between the two cities: a new fixed link across Kattegat.

As connection to a second fixed link across Øresund between Elsinore and Helsingborg, wanted by the Swedish Government,[35] a new high-speed rail line might be constructed.