This avoided the duplication of routes that was seen in the United Kingdom and meant that the large cities and towns were connected.

The citizens of the smaller towns and villages also wanted railways to be built to connect them to the network.

[5] In preparation for the Battle of the Somme in 1916, branches were built from Martinsart to Aveluy, Thiepville Woods and Authuille to enable supplies of munitions to be brought up.

[6] Following the Battle of the Somme, the section of line between Acheux-en-Arménsois and Aveluy was converted to 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) gauge.

[7] In April 1917, it was decided that the line between Albert and Doullens should be restored to Metre gauge.

By July 1917, the Société Générale des Chemins de Fer Economiques (SE), of which the Réseau Albert formed part, was running two trains per day between Acheux-en-Arménsois and Gézaincourt.

The Acheux-en-Arménsois to Gézaincourt line was the only part of the Réseau Albert to remaine in Allied hands.

The line from Fricourt to Montauban and Trones Wood (between Monauban and Guillemont) was subsequently reopened.

[8] At some point, the line between Maurepas and Péronne-Flamicourt was converted to Standard gauge by the British.

[10] In early 1918, the line between Péronne and Mons-en-Chausée, and also between Voyennes and Ham, was converted to 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) gauge.

[21] During the early part of World War I, prior to the Battle of the Somme, the line between Montdidier and Rosières-en-Santerre was used by the French Army.

A branch was built to serve the main headquarters of the French light railways in the Somme sector at Etelfray.

Ercheu to Bussy closed to passengers on 1 February 1954,[12] An occasional freight service was operated until 31 December 1955.

[24] The stations on the Réseau Albert were classed according to their importance and the size of the location they served.

A type 1 station had a main building with its ridge at right angles to the track, and a wing each side, one of which contained a goods hall.

A type 2 station had a main building with its ridge at right angles to the track and smaller wings.

[31] The Société Générale des Chemins de Fer Economiques had at least 43 steam locomotives.

[34] In 1925. two 30 horsepower (22 kW) Renault diesel railcars were put into service between Albert and Montdidier.

Between 1936 and 1939, the SE introduced 85 horsepower (63 kW) De Dion-Bouton railcars on services from Albert.