COMMENTS TO MY PAGE "ART POSTCARDS WITH A RAILWAY MOTIVE"

Chemins de Fer de l'État

The Chemins de Fer de l'État (State Railways of France) was a French railway company that operated from 1878 to 1937. It was one of several state-owned railway companies that existed in France before the nationalization and creation of the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF) in 1938.  The company was created in 1878 after the French government took control of several private rail lines, including some of the former Compagnie des chemins de fer de l’Ouest and others that were struggling financially. The Chemins de Fer de l'État operated in the western and northern parts of France, serving a variety of important lines connecting major cities like Paris, Nantes, and Le Havre, and regions such as Brittany and Normandy. It played a crucial role in the transport of both passengers and freight. Over time, the company expanded its network and was responsible for several important innovations and developments in French railway infrastructure, such as the development of faster trains and improved stations. In 1937, the French government nationalized the country's railways, merging the various private and state-owned railway companies (including the Chemins de Fer de l'État) into a single national entity, the SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français), which was officially founded in 1938.

November 15th 2024

 

 
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