Who built the French high speed network much cheaper than we can build high speed line. Was a lot of it done internally by SNCF? I notice in France they dont build much high speed rail into big cites and use existing stations in Paris, savings all the way.
On HS1 the signalling is french, is the overhead line also french design?
How does SNCF do it so well?
French high speed lines were built by their big contractors like Bouyges and Eiffage, not SNCF who led the design of the network.
Some of those contractors are part of the four consortia building HS2 Phase 1 (along with UK and other European partners).
HS1 OHLE is a French (SNCF) design, and we have adopted a more advanced version of that spec for HS2.
Signalling on HS1 is French (SNCF TVM430, essentially the same as in the Channel Tunnel and on LGV Nord).
Signalling on HS2 will be ETCS, but the contract has not been placed yet - it could come from one of several suppliers, Alstom being one.
I don't recall any of the French LGVs being altered once the go-ahead was given.
They were also built quickly and seemingly without much fuss, though through empty countryside mainly.
France does have problems getting lines authorised and funded though, mainly because of the powerful Regional governments.
That's why they have some very odd intermediate stations, to satisfy the locals.
The last two LGVs, the Tours-Bordeaux and Brittany line west of Le Mans, were funded by the contractors themselves, with a toll charge to SNCF for using them - PFI deals if you will, or like Eurostar and the Channel Tunnel.