Yes, here we go again — another batch of ancient photos guaranteed to trigger mild annoyance in some quarters. My sincerest apologies to anyone who finds themselves bored, offended, or emotionally distressed by evidence that the railways once looked different a decade and a half ago.
This collection isn’t for everyone. It’s really for those who fondly remember the Philippine railways before “progress” arrived with all the warmth and charm of a demolition crew. Back when things were a bit rough, a bit chaotic, but somehow less soul-crushing than today’s sleek, modern, and deeply depressing version of change.
That said, I did arrive early enough to catch PNR in its “surely this is the end” era, before the great scrapping bonanza really got underway. I’ve watched locomotives disappear at an alarming rate, liveries change as often as management strategies, and derailments provide regular unscheduled excitement. I’ve also seen shiny newcomers arrive from Indonesia and Italy, a few lucky survivors rebuilt against the odds, and most recently, the curtain come down on Manila operations as the remaining fleet packs its bags for the long trip south.
Much of this has been covered on this website and discussed in our ever-growing main members forum.
If you find an interest in non-railways topics in the Philippines, you are invited to check out our
Above and two below.
U6B (4754.9 of 1992) 5009 on a perway train heading south through the now closed Espana station in Metro Manila.
This locomotive was one of the lucky ones to go south prior to the closure and removal of the system north of Calamba and remains in use today, albeit in the new orange livery.
Behind it is caboose (guards van for my fellow Aussies) FCD-8
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below
U15C (4753.2 of 1991) 918 is seen wearing the then new livery which, while an attractive new design, was somewhat impractical with all that white.
Still, it was a great, if just temporary, departure from what had been the norm till this point.
Still, it was a great, if just temporary, departure from what had been the norm till this point.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Same locomotive while stopped at Naga station on a run from Sipocot down to Ligao, the then northern and southern limit of Bicol Commuter services.
This has seen some extensions since this visit, though some recent typhoon damage has likely seen some services shortened or cancelled.
This has seen some extensions since this visit, though some recent typhoon damage has likely seen some services shortened or cancelled.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Another short lived livery was a return to the dark blue, but with golden lining. This was taken a year after the earlier shots of 918 in Bicol.
918 is currently stranded in Manila since the line was ripped out north of Calamba.
Photos: Brad Peadon
DAGUPAN: A steam loco 'sort of' preserved out the front of the Tutuban railway station in Manila..
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and six below.
The scene at Sipocot station after an early morning departure from Naga.
Despite all the rock pelting by lineside criminals, it was a very enjoyable day.
Photos: Paul Hornby (with my camera)
Above and below.
Twas a very wet and miserable morning while we waited on 917 (U15C 4753.1 of 1991) to arrive with the once a day commuter from down at Binan.
Today she wears the orange livery and is in use down on the surviving operational parts of the south line.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and below
917 again, this time on some departmental run through a similarly moist day at Pasay Road.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Despite appearances, these photos were taken in the mid afternoon. There had been some heavy rain around as usual and it had caused a lot of train delays. This Bicol Express to Manila was one to suffer major delay.
921 (U15C 4753.5 of 1991) at Pasay Road station.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below
In 2011, 2540 (U10B 41844 of 1979) wore somewhat of a hybrid Filtrack livery as seen here at Tutuban station.
Photos: Brad Peadon
5001 (U6B 4754.1 of 1992) makes itself busy with Tutuban yard shunting duties.
Photos: Brad Peadon
919 (U15C 4753.3 of 1991) also in the temporary gold stripe livery of GM Ragrario's term.
Photo: Brad Peadon
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