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Road-rail substitution in the early motoring age, 1910-1938

Author

Listed:
  • Alban de Gmeline

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Alexis Litvine

    (University of Cambridge)

Abstract

We investigate the closures of railway lines in France between 1910 and 1938 when France experienced rapid network shrinkage. Multiple hypotheses have been put forward, ranging from the financial troubles of railway companies, the competition of automobiles and interurban coach services, and the rationalisation of the network leading to its nationalisation and the creation of the SNCF in 1938. We provide a quantitative assessment of these factors using newly assembled data on road and rail networks and the first historical metric for passenger traffic at the station level. Finally, we analyse the impact in terms of spatial inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Alban de Gmeline & Alexis Litvine, 2025. "Road-rail substitution in the early motoring age, 1910-1938," Working Papers 43, Department of Economic and Social History at the University of Cambridge, revised 19 Mar 2025.
    • Handle: RePEc:cmh:wpaper:43
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L92 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Railroads and Other Surface Transportation
    • N74 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Europe: 1913-

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