Madagascar Rail Network Profile
Madagascar’s rail network consists of two separate systems operated by Madarail, primarily serving freight with limited passenger services. The network faces significant maintenance and modernization challenges.
Network Overview
Parameter Statistics Notes Total Track Length 854 km Active lines Northern Network 671 km Antananarivo-Toamasina Southern Network 183 km Fianarantsoa-Manakara Track Gauge 1,000 mm Meter gauge Active Stations 48 OperationalMajor Lines
Northern Network (Madarail) Route Length (km) Status Usage Antananarivo-Toamasina 372 Active Main corridor Moramanga-Ambatondrazaka 165 Active Branch line Antananarivo-Antsirabe 153 Limited Secondary Southern Network (FCE) Route Length (km) Status Usage Fianarantsoa-Manakara 163 Active Mixed trafficTechnical Parameters
Track & Civil Infrastructure Parameter Specification Standard/Reference Notes Track Gauge 1,000 mm Meter gauge Colonial era Rail Profile 30 kg/m Light rail Original design Maximum Speed 40-60 km/h Operational Condition-dependent Axle Load 15 tonnes Limited Infrastructure constraintsRolling Stock
Locomotives Type Quantity Status Usage Age (years) BB 900 8 Active Main line 30-40 BB 500 6 Mixed Shunting 40+ ZM Series 4 Active Branch lines 25-35 Passenger Cars Type Quantity Capacity Status Service Standard Coach 25 80 seats Mixed Regular Mixed Class 15 60 seats Active Main line Local Service 12 70 seats Limited Branch lines Freight Wagons Type Quantity Capacity (tons) Status Covered 180 25 Mixed Platform 150 30 Active Tank 40 25 LimitedOperations
Passenger Services Route Frequency Journey Time Annual Passengers Tana-Toamasina 3x weekly 12h 150,000* Tana-Antsirabe Weekly 8h 40,000* FCE Line 3x weekly 8h 100,000* Freight Traffic Commodity Annual Volume (tons) Route Trend Containers 120,000 Tana-Toamasina Stable Cement 80,000 Various Growing Fuel 60,000 Port routes Stable Agricultural 40,000 Various SeasonalInfrastructure Condition
Track Status Condition Percentage Maintenance Need Good 20% Regular Fair 45% Medium-term Poor 35% Urgent Structures Type Quantity Average Age Condition Bridges 167 80+ years Critical attention needed Tunnels 48 80+ years Regular monitoring Culverts 450+ Various Mixed conditionsDevelopment Projects
Current Projects (2025-2026) Project Budget (USD) Status Completion Track Rehabilitation 45M Ongoing 2026 Bridge Repairs 15M Active 2026 Station Upgrades 8M Planning 2026 Future Plans (2026-2030) Project Estimated Cost Status Notes Network Extension 200M Proposed New connections Rolling Stock 75M Planning Fleet renewal Signaling Upgrade 25M Concept Safety enhancementEnvironmental Challenges
Climate Adaptation Challenge Impact Mitigation Strategy Cyclones High Infrastructure reinforcement Flooding High Drainage improvements Landslides Medium Slope stabilizationEconomic Impact
Employment Sector Direct Jobs Indirect Jobs Operations 800 2,400 Maintenance 400 1,200 Support 200 600Our Partners
Possession Planning – Current Possession Calendars
Latest Possession Calendars Australia ARTC https://www.possessionplanning.com/possession-planning-documentation/australia/artc/latest-possession-calendars/ Australia Queensland Rail https://www.possessionplanning.com/possession-planning-documentation/australia/queensland-rail/latest-possession-calendars/ Australia UGL https://www.possessionplanning.com/possession-planning-documentation/australia/ugl-regional-linx/ugl-regional-linx/ Australia Sydney Trains https://www.possessionplanning.com/possession-planning-documentation/australia/sydney-trains/latest-possession-calendars/ Australia Transdev https://www.possessionplanning.com/possession-planning-documentation/australia/transdev/ Australia Transperth https://www.possessionplanning.com/possession-planning-documentation/australia/transperth/ Ireland Irish Rail https://possessionplanning.com/possession-planning-documentation/ireland/irish-rail/irish-rail-major-works-possession-calendars/ UK Transport of London https://possessionplanning.com/track-possessions/uk/transport-of-london/ ✨ Support Our Mission ✨Help us continue building tools that simplify complexity!
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