Over the last 70 years, the SNCF has moved from steam engines and green wagons into the era of high-speed rail and green business.

1937 - The Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (French National Railway Company) is established for a period of 45 years.

1956 - 3rd class is discontinued.

1967 -The Capitole service between Paris and Toulouse is launched. For the first time in France, rail speeds reach 200 kph.

1971 - State subsidies come to an end. From now on, the SNCF will have to borrow on the financial markets.

1974 - After 50 years when the French rail network has been shrinking, the SNCF starts building new lines, starting in Evry. The Council of Ministers launches regional transport plans. This is the start of the transfer of the management of railway services to the Regions, a process that is completed in 2002.

1975 - The Corail train starts its services, making travelling in comfort a possibility for all, particularly with air conditioning in second class coaches.

1976 - Roissy-Rail is built, the first railway line in France to connect with an airport.

1979 - RER line C in the Paris region becomes the first line of a regional express network entirely run by the SNCF.

1981 - President François Mittérand opens the first section of the Paris Sud-Est High-Speed Line, 302 km between Saint-Florentin and Sathonay. The LGV Méditerranée is on its way...

1983 - The newly opened Northern section of the LGV Sud-Est, brings Lyon to only 2 hours from Paris. Under the French Domestic Transport Framework Act (LOTI), SNCF becomes a state-owned industrial and commercial enterprise (EPIC). Management agreements between the SNCF and the Regions can begin.

1987 - TER, the national "brand" for regional train services, is launched.

1989 - Westward bound. The first section of the LGV Atlantique Paris / Le Mans is put into service. The Aquitaine branch opens a year later.

1993 - The TGV Nord Europe makes its first run between Paris and Lille.

1994 - The first Eurostar journey connects Paris and London in 3 hours via the Channel Tunnel.

1996 - Europe is brought closer as the SNCF launches Thalys between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

1997 - RFF (Réseau Ferré de France), the owner of the French railway network is founded.

1999 - Transilien, the SNCF's transport brand in the Paris region, is launched.

2000 - The era of the Internet. Online ticket booking began in 1998 and online sales in 1999. This was an immediate success, so the SNCF creates the dedicated website voyages-sncf.com.

2001 - President Jacques Chirac opens the LGV Méditerranée high speed line. It connects Paris to Marseille in 3 hours.

2002 - The Regions become rail transport commissioning authorities. They receive operating budgets from the State and determine their requirements in an agreement made with the SNCF.

2003 - Train travel makes a huge leap forward with the launch of Corail Téoz. The same year, the European rail freight market is opened up to competition.

2005 - The SNCF brings out its new logo and launches a new approach: cutting edge ideas for trains.

2006 - Inter-regional trains are renamed Corail Intercités.

2007 - The TGV Est Européen makes its first run towards Strasbourg, Germany and Luxembourg. SNCF will use this line to shatter the world rail speed record with a breathtaking 574.8 kph!

2008 - Looking ahead to competition in international passenger travel, the SNCF invests in NTV, the private Italian high-speed train company.

2009 - SNCF Geodis takes over IBM logistics and takes a stand in worldwide supply chain management. On 13 December 2009, the French railway market opens up to competition in international passenger travel. In order to make a success of this new era, SNCF creates a new independent service: Gares & Connexions.

2010 - With the integration of the Keolis and EFFIA subsidiaries into SNCF Proximités, public transport becomes the SNCF's main business in terms of volumes, with an forecast turnover of €10 billion.