The famous Michelin railcar in Fianarantsoa is part of the historic FCE (Fianarantsoa–Côte Est) railway. While it operated sporadically until 2019, it has since remained idle at the station—without an engine and with a damaged control panel. Although staff say they hope to restore it, its current condition suggests otherwise. Visitors can still tour the vehicle (🎟️ 20,000 MGA), but with our ticket being number one, it was clear that few people currently take an interest in this remarkable piece of railway history. We hope to catch its sister, Michelin, in Antananarivo instead.
The Michelin train in Fianarantsoa is a historic “bus-on-rails” dating back to the 1930s. Specifically, the Fandrasa railcar ZM516 was manufactured by the French tyre company Michelin and featured innovative rubber-tired wheels designed to provide a smoother, more comfortable ride. It was one of the last surviving examples of its kind still in operation.
More than just transportation, the Michelin served as a moving museum piece, offering travellers a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era. Considerably smaller than a standard train, it felt more like a coach bus running on railway tracks. It once operated along the legendary Fianarantsoa–Côte Est (FCE) line—one of the steepest railways in the world—covering approximately 163 kilometres through lush rainforests, dark tunnels, cascading waterfalls, and across dramatic landmarks such as the famous Ankeba viaduct. The journey was famously slow, averaging around 20 km/h, but that leisurely pace only added to its charm.
