Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans
Encyclopedia
The Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans (PO) was an early French railway company.
It merged with the Chemin de Fer du Midi
to form the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi
(PO-Midi) in 1934. In 1938 the PO-Midi was nationalized with five other companies to become a part of the Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF).
and Orleans
. It had its headquarters in Paris. The first president of the board was François Bartholony.
The first operation of the line dated 20 September 1840, but it only reached to Corbeil via Juvisy. The line reached Orleans on 2 May 1843. At the time, it was the longest railway line of 114 kilometres (71 mi) in France.
In 1853 it tookover the Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Sceaux.
With these mergers, the Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans had almost reached its final extent.
From 1852 to 1934 it was the second largest French private railway. From the Gare d'Austerlitz
, the network extended over the territory from the Loire and Garonne to Orléans and Tours . From here, the branches led to Vendôme, Le Mans, the Atlantic coast of Angers, Nantes, St Nazaire to Landerneau, south of Villefranche, Clermont-Ferrand and Toulouse, south-west of Poitiers and Angoulême to Bordeaux
into Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi
(PO-Midi)". After the merger, the new PO-Midi's network was almost 12000 kilometres (7,456.5 mi).
To create an efficient, uniform and nationwide network under state control, on 1 January 1938, it was nationalized with five other companies to become a part of the newly founded Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF). Then this also took on more rail activities of five other companies.
took over the remains of the Paris Orléans and transformed it into a holding company for its banking activities and corporate investments.
It merged with the Chemin de Fer du Midi
Chemin de Fer du Midi
The Chemin de Fer du Midi, often abbreviated to CF du Midi, was an early French railway company.In 1934 it merged with the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans to become part of the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi ....
to form the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi
Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi
The Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi, often abbreviated to PO-Midi, was an early French railway company. It was formed in 1934 following the merging of the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans and the Chemin de Fer du Midi....
(PO-Midi) in 1934. In 1938 the PO-Midi was nationalized with five other companies to become a part of the Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF).
History
Beginnings as railway company
The company was founded on 13 August 1838 under the name Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans (PO). It had the right to form a limited company and was equipped with a starting capital of 40 million francs. In addition, the company had one of the French government's awarded temporary concession of 70 years, to build and operate a railway between the cities of ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Orleans
Orléans
-Prehistory and Roman:Cenabum was a Gallic stronghold, one of the principal towns of the Carnutes tribe where the Druids held their annual assembly. It was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, then rebuilt under the Roman Empire...
. It had its headquarters in Paris. The first president of the board was François Bartholony.
The first operation of the line dated 20 September 1840, but it only reached to Corbeil via Juvisy. The line reached Orleans on 2 May 1843. At the time, it was the longest railway line of 114 kilometres (71 mi) in France.
First merger
On March 1852, with government support, Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans took over some companies. These were:- Compagnie du Centre
- Compagnie du chemin de fer de Tours à Nantes
- Compagnie du chemin de fer d'Orléans à Bordeaux'
In 1853 it tookover the Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Sceaux.
With these mergers, the Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans had almost reached its final extent.
From 1852 to 1934 it was the second largest French private railway. From the Gare d'Austerlitz
Gare d'Austerlitz
Paris Austerlitz is one of the six large terminus railway stations in Paris. It is situated on the left bank of the Seine in the southeastern part of the city, in the XIIIe arrondissement...
, the network extended over the territory from the Loire and Garonne to Orléans and Tours . From here, the branches led to Vendôme, Le Mans, the Atlantic coast of Angers, Nantes, St Nazaire to Landerneau, south of Villefranche, Clermont-Ferrand and Toulouse, south-west of Poitiers and Angoulême to Bordeaux
Network in 1912
| Network | Length (km) | Length (miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed home network | 5116 | 3,179 |
| Franchised new lines, standard gauge | 2351 | 1,461 |
| Franchised new lines, narrow gauge | 323 | 201 |
| Total network | 7790 | 4,840 |
Second merger and nationalization
In 1934, Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans (PO) was merged with the Chemin de Fer du MidiChemin de Fer du Midi
The Chemin de Fer du Midi, often abbreviated to CF du Midi, was an early French railway company.In 1934 it merged with the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans to become part of the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi ....
into Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi
Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi
The Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans et du Midi, often abbreviated to PO-Midi, was an early French railway company. It was formed in 1934 following the merging of the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans and the Chemin de Fer du Midi....
(PO-Midi)". After the merger, the new PO-Midi's network was almost 12000 kilometres (7,456.5 mi).
To create an efficient, uniform and nationwide network under state control, on 1 January 1938, it was nationalized with five other companies to become a part of the newly founded Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF). Then this also took on more rail activities of five other companies.
Legacy
After the Second World War, the banking family Rothschild familyRothschild family
The Rothschild family , known as The House of Rothschild, or more simply as the Rothschilds, is a Jewish-German family that established European banking and finance houses starting in the late 18th century...
took over the remains of the Paris Orléans and transformed it into a holding company for its banking activities and corporate investments.