The railways of France present a uniquely interesting picture, consisting as they once did of two entirely separate but overlapping systems: the standard-gauge network of the great railway companies and the mostly meter-gauge network of the local rural railways. This book attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of this fascinating diversity. Featuring a variety of locations throughout France, subjects covered include the seven pre-nationalisation railway companies; locomotives of all types, including the successful and the spectacular failures; freight and passenger trains; the great railway engineers; famous lines, such as the Vivarais, as well as the not so famous; tourist railways; some of the great engineering marvels, such as the Viaduc du Gabarit; accidents and disasters; railways in wartime, and even railways which were built but never saw a train.Using the authors own photographs as well as historic postcard views, this book will appeal to anyone with an interest in railways.