Umair Gaines
France has a large network of high-speed rail lines, with a total of 29,901 kilometres of railway as of 2007, making it the second-largest railway network in Europe at the time. The country has been working on modernizing its railway network since 1981, with the introduction of the TGV high-speed rail service. In June 2021, the French high-speed rail network comprised 2,800 kilometres of tracks, making it one of the largest in Europe and the world. The electrification of the French railway network was carried out in four phases, with 15,687 kilometres of electrified railways in France, accounting for approximately 55% of the network in use. The process began with a phase of testing and technological exploration, followed by the electrification of main lines from Paris and lines in the Pyrenees with 1,500 V DC. After World War II, tests were conducted with 20 kV AC, and subsequently, the North and East of France were electrified with 25 kV AC. So, does France have non-electric railroad lines?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electrified railways in France | 15,687 km |
| % of electrified network in use | 55% |
| Voltage | 1,500 V DC, 25 kV 50 Hz AC |
| Railway electrification phases | 4 |
| Railway network length | 29,213 km |
| Electrified network length | 15,141 km |
| High-speed lines | 1,876 km |
| Railway network rank in Europe | 2nd |
| Railway network rank worldwide | 10th |
| Annual ridership | 1.762 billion |
| Annual ridership on SNCF services | 1.270 billion |
| Annual ridership on RATP sections | 493 million |
| % of annual ridership on Paris suburban rail services | 82% |
| Worldwide rank in passenger network | 5th |
| European rank in passenger network | 2nd |
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What You'll Learn
France has 15,687 km of electrified railways
France has a large network of electrified railways, totalling 15,687 km in length. This extensive network makes up approximately 55% of the country's railway system, which stands at around 29,213 km of commercially usable lines. The electrification of the French railway network was carried out in four phases, beginning in the early 20th century with a period of experimentation and technological exploration. This early phase involved trialling third rails and overhead lines, as well as testing different voltages.
In the 1920s, the focus shifted to electrifying the main lines radiating from Paris and the lines in the Pyrenees, using 1,500 V DC. Following World War II, advancements in power electronics led to trials with 20 kV AC, and later, 25 kV AC in the Alps. This higher voltage was deemed satisfactory, and it was subsequently adopted for electrifying the North and East of France. Some lines in the South were electrified with 1,500 V DC.
From the 1970s onwards, electrification efforts continued, primarily using 25 kV to bring electric power to TGVs serving various cities. This expansion of electrification contributed to the success of the TGV high-speed rail service, which revolutionised rail transport in France. The TGV network has been consistently expanded since its introduction in 1981, with new high-speed lines opening in 1989 and 1993, among other developments.
The presence of two electrification norms, 1,500 V DC and 25 kV 50 Hz AC, in France's railway network posed significant challenges for the SNCF until the 1970s. The coexistence of these norms resulted from historical factors, and it created issues due to the limited equipment capable of operating under both standards. However, over time, improvements and expansions in the electrified railway network have contributed to France's status as the operator of the fifth-most used passenger network worldwide and the second-most used in Europe.
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Two electrification norms co-exist in France
France has a large network of electrified railways, with 15,687 km of electrified tracks, making up approximately 55% of the network in use. The electrification of the French railway network was carried out in four phases. The first phase, at the beginning of the 20th century, involved testing and technological exploration, with third rails and overhead lines being trialled on some lines.
In the 1920s, the second phase saw the electrification of the main lines radiating from Paris and lines in the Pyrenees with 1,500 V DC. This standard is still used in the south of France. Following World War II, the third phase witnessed tests with 20 kV AC, and subsequently, 25 kV AC in the Alps. The latter voltage was deemed satisfactory, and it was adopted for electrifying the North and East of the country.
As a result of these historical developments, two electrification norms currently coexist in France: 1,500 V DC and 25 kV 50 Hz AC. This duality posed significant challenges for the SNCF until the 1970s, as there was a lack of equipment capable of operating under both systems. Since then, electrification has continued primarily with 25 kV to facilitate the introduction of electrically powered TGVs in various cities.
The use of electrification in railways is part of a broader global trend towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation infrastructure. Electric railways typically generate electricity in large, efficient stations, which is then transmitted to the trains via overhead lines or third rails.
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The first French railway line opened in 1827
The history of railways in France began in 1827 with the opening of the country's first railway line from Saint-Étienne to Andrézieux. This line, 18 kilometres long, was used to transport coal from the Forez mines to the river Loire. The opening of this line marked the beginning of the expansion of the railway in France.
The Saint-Étienne to Andrézieux railway was granted by order of King Louis XVIII to Louis-Antoine Beaunier in 1823. Two local engineers, Louis de Gallois and Louis-Antoine Beaunier, after a study trip to England, concluded the necessity of a railway. On 5 May 1821, Beaunier, along with financiers having interests in the region, demanded the granting of a railway from Saint-Etienne to Andrézieux.
The line was first operated in 1827 for goods transported in wagons pulled by horses. On the return trip, they carried gravel, sand, and lime. The line was opened to passengers in 1832, with trains limited to animal traction at three miles an hour. In 1844, the company purchased two Schneider steam locomotives, and until 1845, "mixed" traction was used for goods, with animal traction for passengers.
The Saint-Étienne to Andrézieux railway was the first public railway in France and continental Europe. It was also the first completed line radiating out of Paris, connecting France's major cities to the capital. These lines still form the backbone of the French railway system.
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The TGV high-speed rail service began in 1981
The TGV (originally standing for "très grande vitesse" or "turbine grande vitesse") was first proposed in the 1960s, inspired by Japan's Shinkansen high-speed train. The project was approved in 1974, and construction of the first line began in 1975. Initially, the TGV was envisioned as a turbotrain powered by gas turbines, but the 1973 oil crisis led to a shift towards electric trains.
The introduction of the TGV transformed rail travel in France and beyond. With speeds of up to 320 km/h, it significantly reduced travel times between cities. The success of the TGV led to the rapid development of additional high-speed lines across France, including towards the south-west in 1989 and the north in 1993. By 2017, the high-speed network had expanded to 2,600 km, and the TGV had become a symbol of French rail innovation, setting world records for speed and safety.
The TGV has not only revolutionised domestic travel within France but also international connections. The Eurostar service, launched in 1994, utilised a version of the TGV designed for the Channel Tunnel, connecting Paris to London. The TGV network has expanded to neighbouring countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, and Spain, offering seamless high-speed travel across Europe.
The TGV has been continuously improved and updated since its debut in 1981. With its innovative design, high speeds, and safety record, the TGV has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of rail transport, earning its place as an iconic symbol of French engineering and technological advancement.
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France has the fifth-most used passenger rail network globally
France has a highly developed railway network, with nearly 30,000 km of lines, including 2,600 km of high-speed routes. The country has the fifth-most used passenger rail network globally and the second-most used in Europe after Russia. In 2017, there were 1.762 billion journeys on the French national rail network, with 1.270 billion on SNCF services and 493 million on RATP sections of the RER, the express regional network operating in the Paris area. Paris suburban rail services alone account for 82% of the French rail annual ridership.
The history of railways in France began in 1827 when the first trains operated on the Saint-Etienne to Andrezieux Railway, granted by order of King Louis XVIII in 1823. The network has undergone significant modernisation since 1981 with the introduction of the TGV high-speed rail service, which has been continuously expanded. The TGV, or "train à grande vitesse", is renowned for its speed, reaching up to 200 miles per hour. The success of the TGV is undeniable, with new high-speed lines being added over the years. The regionalisation of intercity and local services was tested in 1997 and fully implemented in the early 2000s.
The French railway network is predominantly passenger-centric, with railways transporting only 9% of French cargo, which is significantly lower than the European average. The focus on passenger traffic is particularly evident in the Paris region, where the dense network of suburban rail services accommodates a large volume of commuters. The high concentration of traffic on the main lines and the large number of stations contribute to the heavy utilisation of the rail network.
The SNCF, the national state-owned railway company, operates the majority of passenger and freight services on the national network managed by its subsidiary SNCF Réseau. The SNCF has played a crucial role in the development of the rail network, previously holding a monopoly on rail freight transport until 2003. While freight transport has declined, international freight transport has shown positive growth, with Geodis, the international subsidiary of SNCF Logistics, experiencing a market increase.
The French rail industry has also made inroads internationally. For instance, ALSTOM, a French railway Tier 1 supplier, partnered with Amtrak in the US to build 28 high-speed trains for the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, DC. This partnership, worth $2 billion, showcases the expertise and appeal of French railway technology.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, France has non-electric railroad lines. In 2007, the country had a total of 29,213 kilometres (18,152 mi) of commercially usable lines, of which 15,141 km (9,408 mi) were electrified.
There are 15,687 kilometres of electrified railways in France, making up approximately 55% of the network in use.
France has two voltage systems: 1,500 V DC and 25 kV 50 Hz AC.
Railway electrification is the use of electric power for the propulsion of rail transport. Electric railways use either electric locomotives or electric multiple units.
Electric locomotives in France include the TGV high-speed rail service and the SNCF, the national state-owned railway company that operates most of the passenger and freight services.
