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. _ _
In March of this year, we were incredibly fortunate to be warmly hosted for a visit to the historic Hawaiian-Philippine Company sugar mill in Silay City, about 28 minutes north of Bacolod in Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Unlike our somewhat impromptu visit in 2023, this time I opted for a more official approach. With the kind support and blessing of the company chairman, we were granted the opportunity to experience what turned out to be one of the most unforgettable moments in my 26 years of exploring the railways of the Philippines.
In this thrilling installment, we find ourselves back at the mill, with time to look through all the fascinating items residing in the loco shed.
If you wish to see the videos of the day, as well as a lot more Philippine content, check out our PRHS TV YouTube channel.
As I have a general interest in the sugar milling industry as a whole, and have been into a couple of Aussie ones, it was fascinating to finally have the opportunity for a better look at this wonderful and historic mill.
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Are you interested in the sugarcane tramways and industry on the islands of Negros and Panay (Philippines)? Also covering the timber/sugar railways of Leyte, Cebu and Mindanao.
So why 'SSR' on the side of the diesel locomotives?
Aussie railfans have joked that it stands for our 'Southern Shorthaul Railroad'. While the livery is also yellow and black, that's as close as they get to being the same :-)
On the Hawaiian-Philippine Company (HPCo) sugar railway in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, the initials “SSR” seen on the sides of the diesel locomotives actually stands for Silay-Saravia Railway (originally Silay-Saravia Railway Cooperative). In the early 2000s, the mill’s own transport division was closed and a cooperative formed by local planters took over operation of the cane railway haulage. The coop’s name — Silay-Saravia Railway Cooperative — was used on the diesels, and over time the “Cooperative” was dropped in the paint scheme, leaving just SSR on the cab-side logos.
Above and two below.
#1 - Henchel 21646 of 1929.
Awaiting restoration.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below
Plymouth #17
Operational, but we need the builders number and date if anyone is able to help.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below
Plymouth #16
6763 of 1970
Operational.
Photos: Brad Peadon
View from the loco shed looking towards the yard.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Cane truck 7418-7 sitting at the rear of the shed.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Mill track car (Speeder)
Awaiting restoration.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and five below.
#6 - Baldwin 52867 of 1920.
Under restoration.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and seven below.
#11 - Plymouth 6988 of 1973.
Unsure as to it's operational condition, it looked to be in the same spot it was during my 2023 visit.
Photos: Brad Peadon
#2 (ex #5) - Baldwin 22866 of 1920.
Operational and used for our tour on this day.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and four below.
#7 - Baldwin 60677 of 1928.
Used for special occasions involving the 'Don Papa Rum' company who I am told fund it's operation. I was told it was needing some sort of work at the time of my visit.
I did not look like it had seen use since our visit in 2023, which was the same year the 'Don Papa Rum' brand was purchased.
It is unknown if the locomotive will still figure in the plans of the new owner.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Don Papa Rum
Don Papa Rum is a premium Philippine rum brand created by entrepreneur Stephen Carroll, a former executive at Rémy Cointreau, who was inspired to start the company after visiting Negros Occidental—a region in the Philippines known as “Sugarlandia” for its abundant and high-quality sugarcane.
Seeing an opportunity to craft a world-class rum rooted in the country’s rich sugar heritage, Carroll founded the Bleeding Heart Rum Company and launched Don Papa in 2012, first in Bacolod and then Manila. The rum is named after Papa Isio (Dionisio Magbuelas), a charismatic Negrense leader and revolutionary figure in the late 19th-century Philippine struggle against Spanish rule, whose legacy the brand evokes as part of its storytelling.
Don Papa is made using molasses from local sugarcane and aged in American oak barrels for at least seven years, giving it a smooth, sweet profile with notes of vanilla, honey, and fruit.
Since its debut, Don Papa has expanded far beyond the Philippines, finding strong markets across Europe, Asia, and North America and becoming one of the country’s most recognisable spirit exports.
Its distinctive packaging and storytelling helped fuel international interest, and by the early 2020s it was available in over 30 countries.
In January 2023, global drinks giant Diageo agreed to acquire the Don Papa brand for an initial €260 million, a move aimed at bolstering its position in the growing premium rum category; the acquisition was completed in March of that year.
Once again, we step back into the comparatively peaceful and less socially radioactive railfan year of 2011 — a time when enthusiasts mostly enjoyed trains instead of attempting to destroy one another over the internet.
As I continue digging through the photographic relics from that trip, more material (some of it even in focus) keeps appearing.
During this visit, the Philippine Railway Historical Society (PRHS) was fortunate enough to gain permission to inspect the LRT-1 depot in Pasay City, Metro Manila. The tour covered the yard, workshops, and control room, offering a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the organised chaos that keeps this busy elevated railway operating.
This article forms part four (FINAL) of what has now grown into a monolith of a series covering our visit. Yeah, we took a heap of images.
Manila’s Light Rail Transit Line 1 holds the honour of being Southeast Asia’s oldest rapid transit system, opening in December 1984. Stretching roughly 19.65 kilometres across Metro Manila, it links several major cities while gliding above the legendary traffic congestion below. Originally planned as a street-level railway (which sounds like an excellent way to guarantee permanent gridlock), the system was wisely built as an elevated line. The first section between Central Terminal and Monumento opened in May 1985, and since then the line has seen multiple upgrades, including the ongoing Cavite Extension aimed at improving southern connectivity and giving motorists something impressive to stare at while not moving.
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Semi-Retired Foamer!
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1G 1022 1023 1024 about to enter the LRT-1 workshop.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below
Balintawak accident victim 1248 at workshop entrance.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
2G 1116
LRT-1 workshop.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Work platform in the LRT-1 workshop.
Photo: Brad Peadon
1G 1022 1023
LRT-1 workshop.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and six below.
Class leader 1G 1001 inside and out.
LRT-1 workshop.
Photo: Brad Peadon
2G 1113
Photo: Brad Peadon
1G 1027, another Balintawak victim.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
2G 1113
Photo: Brad Peadon
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1G-1037 victim of the Rizal Day Bombings.
The LRT-1 was unfortunately thrust into darker history during the Rizal Day bombings on 30 December 2000, when an explosive device detonated inside a southbound train near Blumentritt Station during the holiday rush. The attack formed part of a coordinated series of five bombings across Metro Manila that day, targeting crowded public locations and public transport — places chosen specifically because they were full of ordinary people simply trying to get home or about their day. The LRT explosion, along with the other attacks, killed more than twenty people and injured many more, prompting major security changes across the Philippine transport network and serving as a sobering reminder that even systems designed to move commuters efficiently can become targets for those with far more destructive intentions.
Above and six below.
The damage caused to 1G 1037 which I am told is now scrapped.
Photos: Brad Peadon
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1G 1007 sitting in the yard out of use.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below
1G 1002 amongst others who were out of use.
Photos: Brad Peadon
1G 1007 sitting in the yard out of use.
Photo: Brad Peadon
I've always thought the 2G sets were the slightly more attractive of the four that have operated on the system.
However, that being said, I've yet to see the new 4G ones, so may yet change my mind. Though, given my dislike of all things modern, my opinion will likely remain the same :-)
Photo: Brad Peadon
1G 1054 sits with destroyed sister 1037 in the yard, neither being in use.
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 websites and forums on Facebook and Twitter, along with our YouTube channel, 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.
26 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.
