Philippine Railway Historical Society News and History!

Monday, November 24, 2025

2010: PHILIPPINE RAIL PEOPLE STAFF/FANS - PART 1

Philippine Railways: The Staff - The People - The Fans - The Morons

I’ve been travelling to the Philippines since 1999 — long enough that immigration officers now look at my passport, raise an eyebrow, and silently ask themselves, “Why?” The answer, of course, is railways. Not beaches, not tropical cocktails, not the inexplicably popular Jollibee spaghetti. No. I willingly fly across an ocean to chase trains, tracks, and whatever rusty relic happens to be dissolving quietly behind a coconut tree.

Over the years I’ve roamed most of Luzon, trundled across Panay, and wandered around Negros, all in the noble pursuit of documenting as much railway history as humanly possible. And by “noble pursuit,” I mean standing in the heat wondering why I left the comfort of air conditioning to photograph a bridge that last saw a train sometime during the Ramos administration.

My regular involvement in the Philippine railway scene has also introduced me to a truly impressive (if that's the word) variety of humans. I’ve met PNR managers who can recite locomotive histories better than their own birthdays, employees who’ve seen more chaos than a teleserye finale, and passengers who genuinely want to know why a foreigner is photographing a rail siding at 6am.

Then, of course, there are the railfans.

Ah yes. The railfans.

Over the years I’ve encountered the entire 'spectrum' — from delightful, knowledgeable enthusiasts who’d gladly guide you to the nearest abandoned station, to prepubescent ego-fuelled storytellers who insist their uncle’s neighbour’s dog has insider information about a secret bullet train arriving “next month.” If I had a peso for every tall tale I’ve been told, I could probably fund the restoration of half the fleet myself.

Thankfully, amongst all this, I have found some of the best of friends.

But for all the heat, the wild rumours, and the questionable life choices involved in chasing trains across an archipelago, the reward has been the people. Dozens, maybe hundreds, of them — generous, passionate, curious, chaotic, hilarious. A community stitched together by steel rails, diesel fumes, and a shared obsession with whether Train 711 will depart on time (it won’t).

And that’s why I keep coming back.

Not just for the trains — but for the characters who ride them, maintain them, mismanage them, photograph them, and argue about them online.

It’s been one hell of a ride since 1999.

And I’m not done yet. Although there are a few fans there trying hard to make that so :-)

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Above and below.

Mr Homer Taguiwalo was a lovely guy who I met for the first and last time on this day.

I was awaiting departure of the afternoon Binan service, when he hopped out of the train and come across to say g'day. Having seen my websites and groups, he suspected it was me.

I wish more did it.

Sadly Homer passed away a few years ago, so I was unable to repeat the meeting 😢

Photos ©: Brad Peadon

Passengers at Blumentritt eagerly awaiting a south bound Rotem set.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Fellow Aussie Paul Hornby was living in Naga at the time and we caught up with him for a ride on the Bicol Commuter.

He is seen here getting shots of 918 after having run around it's train in preparation for return to Naga, and the then Ligao (the then southern terminus).

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Above and two below.

2010 PRHS Railfan Day.

Checking the heritage railway display at Tutuban station.

Despite the closure of the line, this was all still there during my inspection in March this year.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

2010 PRHS Railfan Day.

This time in the courtyard outside the Tutuban station.

Sadly we have lost Jun (far left) and Ben (second from right) since this photo was taken. Two more great friends who were taken so terribly early.

This is probably one of the hardest part of living so far away from mates.
But their memory reminds me that there are a few genuine people in the hobby there. You just have to find them.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Above and two below.

2010 PRHS Railfan Day.

Now in the former (?) bus terminal next to Tutuban station.

Photos from this part appear on my 'Travel & Aviation Blog'.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

The age old tradition of the 'Photo line' as a Rotem approaches from the south of Metro Manila.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Things are busy at Pamplona station (Bicol Region, Philippines) as we approach with the Bicol Commuter to Naga.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Now busy at Tutuban as people disembark the morning service from Binan.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

MrX is checking out my beloved 902, the 'Philippine National Railways' flagship..

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Waiting on someone to get off the Rotem set at Espana station.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Espana station people are looking quite bored.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Above and two below.

A selection of peak hour passengers awaiting a train from the south. There was single line working through the station at the time, thus why people were waiting on the same platform for trains each way.

Just in case you noticed that.....

Photos ©: Brad Peadon

Adrian and Roberto conducting a track inspection at Tutuban.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

A very young Mark on 5001 inside Tayuman shed.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

MrX Roberto and Adrian preparing for a ride on a near new ITR-04.

Tutuban Station.

Photos ©: Brad Peadon

Now it is a young Adrian with 5001 at Tayuman shed.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

MrX and a very concerned looking security guard at Pasay Road station.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Above and below

Passengers on the evening Binan train.

Tutuban Station.

Photos ©: Brad Peadon

Another Espana station.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

A sled trails behind a Tutuban bound Rotem set. I seem to remember this was an official PNR sled, as I have never seen one in this location before or since..

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Above and below

The two Sucat station pusas.

Photo ©: Brad Peadon

Above and four below

Various passengers at Sucat station while we await a train back north.

Photos ©: Brad Peadon

Guess we better purchase a ticket also.

MrX again, this time back on the Bicol Commuter.

902 departing Tutuban station with another afternoon run to Binan. It may be of interest to know that this was a once a day service, travelling down in th evening, stabling overnight, then coming back early the next morning.