Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE VINTAGE MICHELINE RAILCAR
Donald Wilson
In the 1930s, the Michelin tyre company collaborated with several builders to design
a self-propelled rubber-tyred railcar which could give a smoother ride on tracks and
avoid the 'clickety-clack' produced by the wheels of conventional trains as they pass
over track joints.
Most countries were reluctant to place orders for this innovative technology, but
some of the French colonial railways used them successfully, including Madagascar
which received three new trains to the original design in 1952.
Disused for 25 years, no 517 (named 'Viko-Viko' after an endemic bird, the Mad-
agascar pratincole) was restored to its former glory at the Antananarivo workshops of
Madarail, and finally returned to service in 2010.
Weighing in at almost seven tonnes and measuring over 13m in length, Viko-Viko
has a theoretical top speed of 80kph. With its 19 comfortable wicker armchairs, bar
andtoilet,this12-wheeledvehicleispoweredbyaPerkins100hp4-cylinderdieselen-
gine and glides effortlessly along, stopping at scenic locations for passengers to alight
and admire the stunning views.
Punctures are an occasional hazard, and when this happens the train is jacked up
where it stops so that one of the six spare wheels can be fitted. The process takes just
15 minutes.
Atthetimeofwriting,servicesruneverySaturdayfromAntananarivo'simpressive
railway station - either east to Andasibe (perfect for an overnight visit to the national
park) or south to the elegant town of Antsirabe - returning the following day.
Madagascar's Micheline is a working museum piece that lives up to its marketing
slogan - the 'train unlike any other'. Where else in the world could your train suffer a
puncture?
DonaldWilsonisaformerstationmasterofLondonMaryleboneandCommercialDir-
ector of Kent & East Sussex Railway. He travels the world in search of unusual rail
experiences and gives lectures on his travels (
e
stationmasterdon@aol.com
)
.
Even more exciting for rail enthusiasts is the refurbished
Micheline 'Viko-Viko'
(see
box above). Michelines were rubber-tyred trains pioneered in France in the 1930s and this
is the only one still in regular operation anywhere in the world. More reminiscent of a bus,
the vehicle averages just 30mph, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the view. At present it
operates mainly on a private hire basis so you have full flexibility in choice of destination
anddeparture time, althoughscheduled services havestarted torunfromTanaatweekends
