Welcome one and all to the 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' blogsite. This site was set up to share photos, historical pieces, comment and virtually anything else pertaining to transportation in the Philippines, with a special emphasis on rail. Occasional we vary from topic, but this is the less serious side of the hobby shining through - cause sometimes, in this miserable and uptight world, we just take ourselves a little too seriously. Since 1999, the Philippine Railway Historical Society has regularly published items, FOR FREE, of railway interest on our PRHS Website. These include locomotive, rollingstock and transit updates, as well as our occasional magazine, 'Along Da Riles'. Our interest base has grown over the years with our main Facebook railway group expanding to include groups interested in other Philippine Transport, modelling of Philippine transport and even a group for Philippine railfans interested in overseas railways. If it sounds interesting, come join in the fun of the oldest, and most diverse, group dedicated to Philippine railways and other transport. We look forward to meeting you.
If you have a question Philippine railway related, just drop us a line, maybe we can help. _ _
Regular visitors to the site and forum will know I've returned to the beautiful town of Hondagua in Quezon Province many times. Once home to a sprawling rail yard, Hondagua remains one of the most scenic spots along the remaining Philippine National Railways line.
This two-part series showcases photos from my 2010 visit— the last time the station building would be fully intact. On a later visit, a local told us that PNR had begun modernizing the structure but abandoned the project before it was completed.
A heritage disaster up there with that which has occurred at Lucena station.
Hondagua Station, located in the province of Quezon, Philippines, was inaugurated on May 10, 1916, marking a significant expansion of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Main Line South. This extension connected Padre Burgos to Calauag, threading through the scenic landscape of southern Quezon and establishing Hondagua as a key stop on the route.
As part of the Main Line South, Hondagua Station served both passenger and freight traffic, supporting the growing economic activities of the region, especially during the early 20th century. The station’s establishment not only improved connectivity for towns along the route but also played a vital role in facilitating trade and transport between Quezon Province and Manila.
Today, while train services are not currently operating, the sad remains of Hondagua Station stand as a historical reminder of the PNR's expansion era, echoing stories of journeys taken across the archipelago by rail and underscoring the enduring importance of rail travel in the Philippines.
Are you interested in the fascinating sugarcane railways on the islands of Negros and Panay (Philippines)?
We have started a new specialising in this topic, aimed at local historians, railfans interested in these railways, and people with a general interest in the industry.
What passes for a passenger service while trains are not in use.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Looking towards Bicol with the mainline on the right and the former leg of the triangle to the left.
Blue wall to the left is the flour mill.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Hondagua town, looking south.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Hondagua RSOM Department Shed signage.
Photo: Brad Peadon
FL-485 - Hondagua Yard.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Hondagua Engine Crew Dormitory.
I've been told that this building is supposed to be haunted. I've never been inside to try to confirm that :-)
Photo: Brad Peadon
BC-514 - Hondagua Yard.
Photo: Brad Peadon
BC-xxx - Hondagua Yard.
This modified boxcar remains unidentified. If anyone can help, please email us,
Photo: Brad Peadon
FL-499 - Hondagua Yard.
Photo: Brad Peadon
FL-3199 - Hondagua Yard.
Photo: Brad Peadon
GC-126 - Hondagua Yard.
Gondola (Open) wagon normally used for ballast.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Unidentified GC type wagon.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and numerous below.
A look at this lovely station before an alleged failed modernisation project saw it destroyed.
I acknowledged that I am somewhat heritage biased, but what a far better outcome it would have been to to restore the original historical structure, perhaps with a high level platform.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Can I have a return ticket to Sipocot please?
Photo: Brad Peadon
Not many railway stations with views this beautiful.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
RDO-204 A former observation car, is now in use for internal reasons.
One of the most important items I listed in my 2009 heritage report, and still an item I wish to see preserved.
Photo: Brad Peadon
GC-127 - Hondagua Yard.
Gondola (Open) wagon normally used for ballast.
Photo: Brad Peadon
GC-126 - Hondagua Yard.
Builders plate.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Much more coverage of this trip will be appearing here on the blog. Join ourgroup to be notifiedof every new post.
This steam locomotive on display at Riverbanks Mall in Marikina is a historic reminder of the Philippines' sugar industry railway heritage. This locomotive, a Baldwin-built steam engine, is a classic representation of early 20th-century steam trains that once operated in the country. Baldwin Locomotive Works, an American manufacturer, produced many of the engines used in the Philippine sugar industry during that era.
The locomotive was placed as a static display to honor the legacy of rail travel in the Philippines, where steam trains played a significant role in connecting various regions before diesel and electric trains took over.
It’s popular among visitors for photos, especially because of its vintage design and the nostalgia it evokes. However, the security guard on the day seemed unconcerned about such interest, preferring to try to chase off the man with a dangerous camera.
The locomotive is not operational but serves as an educational piece, giving people a chance to appreciate the machinery that was central to Philippine transport history.
If you're interested in steam train history or railway memorabilia, this display is worth visiting to get a sense of the past railway era in the Philippines.
It is one of four known preserved steam locomotives in the Metro Manila area, and possibly the most easily accessed at this time.
Are you interested in the sugarcane tramways and industry on the islands of Negros and Panay (Philippines)?
We have started a new specialising in this topic, aimed at local historians, railfans interested in these railways, and people with a general interest in the industry.
The just visible security guard spotted me, thus leading to us both walking around and around the locomotive while I got these images.
He eventually caught up to me and issued the usual 'you're not allowed to' instructions.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Builders number.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Needs filling up :-)
Photo: Brad Peadon
The driver must be having a rest break.
Photo: Brad Peadon
It was election time, with the headquarters of Bayani Fernando and Richard Gordon seen behind the locomotive.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Inside the cab area.
Photo: Brad Peadon
A recent Google Streetscape image shows that a good bit of landscaping has taken place since my photos were taken. Looks better I guess, but now makes clear photos complicated at best.
We always welcome news, photos and small articles for inclusion on both this site and our parent group (see below). Please email us!
PRHS.Society at gmail.com
The Philippine Railway Historical Society and forums on Facebook and Yahoo groups have further information regarding these interesting railways and also a number of chat forums for those interested in all areas of Philippine transportation.
Our various forums have the latest news and information from a number of very knowledgeable people. Please join in with our PRHS family, learn about the railways of the Philippines and make new friends.
We now act as a information society, having removed ourselves from the badder elements of the Manila railfan hobby, existing to meet and help others with similar interests.
PRHS - Longest Running Philippine Railways group.
25 years of serving the Philippine railway hobby.
Brad
Australia
FREE PRHS RAILWAY PUBLICATIONS
The PRHS regularly publishes magazines (mostly ezines, but sometimes hard copies) covering different railway topics. Locomotive, rollingstock and transit updates, publications aimed at modellers and our occasional magazine 'Along Da Riles'. In the future, we are planning a number of other publications of interest to everyone, along with plans for a regularly updated database, and another plan that could prove to be a first for the Philippines. PRHS: Bringing a railfan hobby to the nation.
Want more information on the PRHS or have another Philippine railway enquiry?
Philippine Railway Historical Society
For all your Philippine railway information photos and chat, please visit our HOMEPAGE! Our group and activities are free - we are here to promote interest in the Philippine railways, make friendships and help with information. We are not a fundraising group and do not ask for funds. Do you support the past and future of the railways in the Philippines? Come chat with us atPRHSFacebook.We look forward to meeting you.
