This in turn related to the requirement to use DC series motors, which required the current to be converted from AC to DC and for that a rectifier is needed.
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The first railway to use this system was completed in 1951 by SNCF between Aix-les-Bains and La Roche-sur-Foron in southern France, initially at 20 kV but converted to 25 kV in 1953.
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Exceptions are two local isolated railways – Saltsjöbanan and Roslagsbanan – that use DC power, the Stockholm Metro and tramways use DC power, the Oresund Bridge linking Sweden and Denmark is electrified at 25 kV, Danish standard; the split is located on the Swedish side near the bridge.