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Fianarantsoa used to be an important staging point for exports thanks to its rail link to the port of Manakara on the coast but now the train goes only half way to Manampatrana because the line was damaged by floods a few years ago. There is no link north to Antsirabe so this handsome train station does not see much traffic.
The diesel locomotive and cars were old but had been well maintained.
The area is fertile and densely populated so the train is an important life-line for small places like Ranomena along the way.
The train was very crowded so I was delighted when the train's mechanic Bruno invited me to ride in the engine.
Below, Bruno and I and Lionel the driver. I took a subtle suggestion and bought a generous supply of beer for the crew.
This woman was happy to see the train arrive for she will sell her vegetables.
Beautiful scenery.
The kids were also happy to see the train stop near their hut.
The train stopped everywhere someone flagged it down and there was always a small shop more or less like this one at every whistle stop.
Without the train these people would probably move out for no road comes here.
Down from the plateau towards the sea.
More food for sale along the way.
The poorer they are, the happier they look
Everything grows furiously and nobody goes hungry in the rain forest.
Loading bananas for the return trip to Fianar.
