G'day all,
I know posts have been a little thin on the ground of late. Been a bit preoccupied with going ons on my other blog sites, especially 'The Semi-Retired Foamer' and have been a tad bollocked since the festive season after endless parties and karaoki nights.
Still one likes to update regularly and felt I would share a little gem from the 'Philippine Railways SIG' contributed by Chris Hart, a fellow Aussie, some years ago.
Taken on the 20th of January 1984 at an unknown location on the Panay system, it shows some fascinating rollingstock that has sadly missed preservation.
I bet #50 had some great tales to tell.
Brad
These railcars were a project of my late father, his name was Florencio Unson Jr., When I was 18 years old, I helped my dad bring home 3 semis, International Harvester tractors, the R185 model. Because the railway had no money, these were items foreclosed by the bank and transferred to the railway company for one Philippine Peso. After they were brought to Panay Island from Luzon, the tractors were taken apart, parts were transferred onto a cane car frame, and a bus body built around it, mostly out of wood and sheet metal. His father, Florencio Sr. was also a railroad person who retired as Operations Manager of the old Manila Railroad Company (MRR). Althought they have now passed on they will take pride in these photo. I know I am very glad that i found your posting.. thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteoh yes, originally this railcar had a flat nose, and was a cab over engine. They also originally had commuter cars called "suburban" wish had a long cowl hood where the engine is accessible from the side, but still built like a bus or an old peterbuilt that had engine access from the sides , complete with fenders and teardrop headlights. When they got to the terminals, it went into a turntable where only the prime mover goes in and gets turned around. These were the primary transportation between all the towns along the route from Iloilo city to Roxas City
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