The development of energy transmission and distribution networks is often a blind spot in forecasts of the energy transition, even though they are recognized as central to the use of low-carbon energies. We propose to explore the historical case of the development of the railway network in the 19th century, in terms of the consumption of material and energy resources for its construction, maintenance and use. Our ambition is to understand the link between the dynamics of transport development and economic growth based on coal, both the raw material of the network and the beneficiary of its development. We will make use of the results already obtained by graph theory applied to these spatial networks, and will draw on a similar approach underway for electricity networks. The aim of the internship will be to gather documentary resources, define the geographical study area in line with available data, and present an initial network development model.