Rail transport in Madagascar
Rail transport in Madagascar is primarily operated by Madarail,
The northern railway (TCE, Tananarive–Côte Est) is currently concessioned to Madarail. The southern line, Fianarantsoa-Côte-Est railway (FCE), is a parastatal line.
History
Construction started in 1901 on the Madagascar Railway (Le Chemin-de-Fer de Madagascar) from Tananarive to Ambatolampy. The full line was completed from Tananarive to Antsirabé in 1923.[1]
Overview
There is a regular (at least daily) goods traffic between the port city of Toamasina and the capital city of Antananarivo. There are daily passenger trains[2] on the Madarail system. Very occasionally there are special chartered trips on restored Micheline railcars for tourists. The southern line has a regular daily passenger train, which provides a slow but picturesque alternative to the recently rehabilitated road in the region.
total:
875 km (544 mi)
metre gauge:
875 km (544 mi) 1.000 m (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge (2006)
There are two unconnected systems.
After the Proposed Extension of Madagascar Railway operated by Madarail up to Antsiranana, Nosy Bay Andoany & Andapa in the North, up to Mahajanga & Maintirano in the West, up to Morondova, Morombe, Toliara & Tolanaro in South, the Total Length of the Railway System will increase to 6,768 km (4,205 mi) connecting all of Madagascar.
Interfaces
- Continuous Brakes: Air/Vacuum/Unbraked ?
- Couplers: Centre buffer and two side hooks and chains.[3]
Cities served by rail
- Antananarivo - national capital
- Toamasina - chief seaport
Extension of the system
There are two unconnected systems having a total length of 875 km (544 mi). Talks are going for extending Madagascar Railway operated by Madarail. The Malagasy Government have signed a pact with Indian Railways & South African Railways to extend their railway services up to Antsiranana, Antalaha & Andapa in the north, up to Mahajanga & Maintirano in the west. Again southwest, south & southeastern extension of Fianarantsoa - Manakara Railway Line up to Morondova, Morombe, Toliara & Tolanaro is being planned. After extension, the length of the Madagascar Railway operated by Madarail will stand at 6,768 km (4,205 mi) connecting all of Madagascar.
See also
References
Notes
- ^ "Commerce Reports". Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Department of Commerce. February 18, 1924 – via Google Books.
- ^ "MADARAIL - TRAIN VOYAGEUR" (in French). Archived from the original on 2018-06-12.
- ^ RailwaysAfrica 1/2008 FCover
Further reading
- Robinson, Neil (2009). World Rail Atlas and Historical Summary. Volume 7: North, East and Central Africa. Barnsley, UK: World Rail Atlas Ltd. ISBN 978-954-92184-3-5.
External links
