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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.
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Tuesday, February 18, 2025

SPOTLIGHT: LEGASPI STATION - BICOL PHILIPPINES 2010

 



Legazpi Station, situated in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines, serves as the terminus for the Philippine National Railways' (PNR) South Main Line. This line extends approximately 478 kilometers from Manila to Legazpi, with the segment from Calamba to Legazpi being single-tracked and narrow-gauge. 

Opened in November 1914, Legazpi Station was initially part of the Legazpi Division Line connecting Tabaco, Albay, to Iriga, Camarines Sur. The original station building, constructed in 1939, was a pebbled structure. Over the years, the station has experienced numerous periods of service interruptions due to natural disasters, including typhoons and volcanic eruptions, which have caused significant damage to the infrastructure.
The Bicol Commuter service from Naga is set to recommence on February 25th this year following the latest restoration of the track.
An original section of the line between Travesia and Daraga, via Camalig station, was diverted due to lava damage to the section. It also suffered from steep grades.
This is believed to have opened in 1986.




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Are you interested in the fascinating sugarcane tramways and industry on the islands of Negros and Panay?
You are invited to come join the new forum looking at a very little covered part of Philippine industry.
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Above and below.
The front entrance to Legaspi station on Peñaranda St.
Photos: Brad Peadon



Front entrance from the foyer.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Looking north along the two platforms.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Looking northwards from the end of the station platform.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
Looking along the platform from the north end.
Photos: Brad Peadon




Kids partaking in the sport of spider fighting on the station platform.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Above and below.
The beautiful stonework in the foyer/ticket office area.
Photos: Brad Peadon



Entrance from the main building to the platforms.
Photos: Brad Peadon




Nice solid looking buffer stop. 
Photos: Brad Peadon



A rather concerned looking rooster having a bit of a trespass.
Photos: Brad Peadon


Along the north wall of the station building.
Photo: Brad Peadon

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Since 1999 - Promoting Hobby & Friendship
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The following three images show a 1940 map of the Legaspi area.



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MrX, Nhing, and Onyo.

PNR Management & Staff.
PRHS Archive.
wikipedia.org




Website. 


Interested In All Things Philippines? We Have Heaps.
Check out our new Link Tree site.

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Sunday, February 2, 2025

2010: SPOTLIGHT ON GUMACA AREA (QUEZON)

 



Howdee, and welcome to the 25th year of the 'Philippine Railway Historical Society', a celebration of a quarter century of existence.
We will be looking back on those 25 years later on in the year, but most of this year will be spent looking back on our massive 2010 visit.
Due to the huge variety of photos taken during the 2010 trip, we will be separating the different subjects into various posts over the next 12 months. 

Locomotives - Rollingstock - Infrastructure
Railcars

If you find an interest in non-railways topics in the Philippines, you are invited to check out our 
Semi-Retired Foamer Travel Blog


Interested In All Things Philippines? We Have Heaps.
Check out our new Link Tree site.



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  Gumaca Railway Station is located, not surprisingly, in the town of Gumaca in Quezon Province, Philippines. It is part of the historic southern line and once played a significant role in the region's transportation system. The station was part of the Manila-Bicol railway line, operated by the Philippine National Railways (PNR), which connected Metro Manila to the Bicol region in the southern part of Luzon.

  Historically, Gumaca Railway Station was an important stop for passengers traveling to and from the southern parts of Luzon, and it was one of the key stations in Quezon Province. However, like many other stations along the line, it saw a decline in service over the years as road transport became more popular and rail services in the region were suspended or reduced.

  In recent years, there has been plans to revive and improve the various railways of the Philippines, including plans to rehabilitate and expand the rail network. This includes potential improvements to the Manila-Bicol line, which could lead to a revival of stations like Gumaca, though the specifics of such projects are still in the planning stages.
  To my knowledge, passenger train services only get as close at Lucena (to the north), and Sipocot (to the south).

The station itself, as of now, remains a point of historical interest, albeit in a very poor condition. It's one of the remnants of a once-thriving rail system that connected different provinces across Luzon.
  Today though, the station has declined much further than what appears in my 2010 photos. The awning has all been removed, as has some of the station walls (2016 Google photo below).
  Going by recent experience with the railways heritage disinterest (Ragay station a case in point), and how the station is currently, it is likely that any reopening will see this historic structure obliterated for something modern and far less visually appealing. 


In 2010, what was left of the station awning was in appalling condition. 
Evidently it must have become a safety concern and later removed (see below)
Photo: Brad Peadon



Above and below.
The south end of the station building.
Photo above: Brad Peadon
Photo Below: Google




Looking towards Manila, there was a second track under all that guff to the left.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Wider shot of Gumaca station.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Passengers have boarded the next train to depart Gumaca.
Photo: Brad Peadon



A good look at the details under the awning for any potential modellers out there.
Photo: Brad Peadon




Though it would have pointless turning up there in 2010, well even now in 2025, Gumaca was obviously the timetabled crossing location for the two Bicol Express services.
Right on the stroke of midnight no less.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Whoever owns that washing is going to be less than impressed with any train that may have passed by.
Not much danger of it at the time though.
Photo: Brad Peadon



The Manila end of the building.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Crossings of the Maharlika Highway (AH26) around the Gumaca area..
Photo: Brad Peadon



Maharlika Highway (AH26) taken from a level crossing.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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Video Above: Plaridel Station (Quezon Philippines)


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MrX, Nhing, and Onyo.
Tanggol Lao (PNR)

Philippine National Railways Management & Staff.
wikipedia.org









Interested In All Things Philippines? We Have Heaps.
Check out our new Link Tree site.

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Philippine Railways Historical Society (Since 1999).
Come join the longest running Philippine railfan group.




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