At the beginning of the 20th century, the French rail network comprised nearly 40,000 km of main lines and 20,000 km of secondary lines, extending like a fine mesh across most of the country. The growth of road transport, combined with the economic crisis of the interwar period, wartime destruction and the decline of traditional industry has led to a huge contraction of the network. Most of the secondary lines have closed completely. Passenger traffic has disappeared from around half of the main lines and the desire to improve speeds of passenger services has led to the elimination of a large number of stopping points.
Atlas Historique des Chemins de Fer Français allows the reader to again see the French railway network at its greatest extent, but to also see the new high-speed lines that have grown up around the country in recent years, and the relationship between the two.
The maps clearly show which lines are closed and which are still open. Diffferent weights are used to denote single, double, triple or four-track lines. Colours are used to denote different electrification voltages and markers are used to differentiate larger stations from smaller stations and halts. Every line is labelled to show the line number and the railway company that built it. High speed lines are distinguished. The maps also use colour to show altitude and several enlargements are included where necessary.
The tabulated data includes:
- Section of Line
- Line Length
- Date of Authorisation
- Date of Concession
- Date of Opening
- Date of Electrification
- Date of Closure to Passengers
- Date of Closure
The third volume brings together maps and information relating to the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, Bourgognne-Franche-Comte, Grand Est and Outre-mer regions of France. An index to all stations in the volume is included and a small number of photographs are also included to illustrate the railway atmosphere of the featured regions. 400 pages including over 100 pages of maps. French text. Hardback.