From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The French railway network, as administered by Réseau Ferré de France (RFF), disposes (June 2007) of a network of commercially usable lines of 29,213 kilometers (18,152 mi), out of which 15,141 km (9,408 mi) is electrified. 1,876 km (1,166 mi) of those are high speed lines (LGV), 16,445 km (10,218 mi) dispose of two or more tracks. 5,905 km (3,669 mi) are supplied with 1,500 V DC, 9,113 km (5,663 mi) with 25 kV AC at 50 Hz. 122 km (76 mi) are electrified by third rail or other means^[1].

Since 1981, the SNCF has operated the TGV service, a high-speed rail network which has been consistently expanded in subsequent years.

Rail links to adjacent countries

• Same gauge
  • Belgium — voltage change 25 kV AC/3 kV DC (except high-speed line to Bruxelles, same voltage)
  • Germany — voltage change 25 kV AC/15 kV AC
  • Great Britain via the Channel Tunnel — voltage change 25 kV AC/750 V DC third rail (except high-speed line to London, same voltage)
  • Italy — voltage change 25 kV AC/3 kV DC (except high-speed line, same voltage)
  • Luxembourg — same voltage
  • Monaco — same voltage
  • Switzerland — voltage change 25 kV AC or 1,5 kV DC/15 kV AC
• Break-of-gauge, 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+¹⁄₂ in)/1,668 mm (5 ft 5+²⁄₃ in)
  • Spain — voltage change 1,5 kV DC/3 kV DC
• No rail link to Andorra

See also

• History of rail transport in France
• Transport in France

References

1. ^ RFF Website "Network inventory"

External links

• RFF - Réseau Ferré de France. Updated in June 2007