The first lines opened in 1902 and the system had a total extent of 433 kilometres (269 mi).
The CM was a Voie Ferrées d'Interêt Local system.
Although railcars had been introduced in the 1930s, all rail passenger traffic ceased in 1939, along with another series of line closures.
The main line was Gourin - Lorient - Meslan - Lochminé - Vannes - La Roche-Bernard.
Surzur - Port Navalo, Baud - Port Louis, La Roche-Bernard - Herbignac - Piriac-sur-Mer - Guérande, Herbignac - Saint-Nazaire, Pontivy - Moulin Gilet, Pontivy - Guémené-sur-Scorff.