Railways in
Madagascar
Train of the FCE at Manampatrana.
The locomotive is an Alsthom AD16B 1600hp Bo-Bo diesel electric delivered in 1982 for Chemin-de-fer de Madagascar.
These locomotives ave been replaced since this picture was taken in 2004.
The first railway in Madagascar opened in 1909 between the island's capital, Antananarivo, and Brickaville, a distance of over 200km. It was built to metre gauge, as were all subsequent lines on the island.
By 1923 there was a network of 3 lines in the northern part of the island, totalling 673km of route. During the 1920s and 1930s, a separate 163km line was built in the south of the island. All lines came under government control in the 1940s. In the early years of the 21st century the system was part privatized.
The northern group of line under Madarail operates freight services from the capital, Antanarivo, to Antsirabe, and via Moramanga to Tamatave and Ambatrasorara. Regular passenger services operate between Moramanga and Ambila. Another passsenger service, from Antanarivo to Ambohimanambola on the line towards Moramanga, was launched in 2025. A historic railcar is available for charter on any of the lines.
The FCE line (Fianarantsoa Côte Est) connects Fianarantsoa to Manakara on the east coast. It operates regular passenger and freight trains, and tourist charter trains.
In 2018 a memorandum of understanding was signed for a new line between Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa, connecting the two networks.
© 2005-2026 Glyn Williams
Photo image by World Resources Institute Staff from Wikimedia Commons