Philippine Railways Update! (March 2008)

A roundup of where things are at, information gained from personal emails, various forums and newspaper websites. Contributions are always very welcome.

Philippine National Railways

NEWS:
** By early March a section of track (southbound at Paco) had been relaid and ballasted, the northbound line remained untouched.
The reason why this one little isolated section being done is unknown, however as Hanjin's worksite is reportedly here we can probably assume they are to work outwards for here in both directions.
No advice recieved on the proposed, and more logical, complete closedown of services for a proper rebuild. Perhaps they do not wish to cause the service interuption.

SOUTHRAIL REBUILD:
Phase I (Caloocan to Alabang) - Clearing Continues!
*** Trains operating between Tutuban-Alabang-San Pedro-Binan.
*** Services suspended Binan-Legaspi and San Pedro-Carmona.
Phase II (Alabang to Calamba)Southrail Project - Work yet to commence.
Phase IA (Calamba-Lucena)Phase IB (Lucena-Legaspi) - Work yet to commence.
Phase II (Sorsogon Extension Matnog) - Work yet to commence.

PLANNED LINES:
Calamba to Batangas line rebuild - Work yet to commence.

Northrail

NEWS:
Rebuild continuing, no further advice on developments.

NORTHRAIL REBUILD:
Caloocan to Malolos - Rebuild commenced full steam ahead January 2008.
Malolos to Clark - Rebuild commenced.

PLANNED LINES:
Cabanatuan Line - No advice.
Cagayan Valley - No advice.

Panay Railway

Work has yet to commence on any railway building on Panay!

Iloilo City to Roxas City - No Advice
*** There has yet to be movement in regards to anyone willing to finance this project.

Mindanao Railway

Work has yet to commence on any railway building in Mindanao!

Phase 1, Ist Segment (Cagayan de Oro-Iligan City
Phase 1, 2nd Segment (Cagayan de Oro-Gingoog City)
Phase 1, 3rd Segment (Iligan-Marawi City)
Phase 1, 4th Segment (Marawi City-Cotabato City)
Phase II (Surigao-Butuan)
Phase III (Davao City-Monkayo)
Phase IV (Zamboaga City-Dipolog City)
Phase V (Gagayan de Oro-Davao City)

Railway & Industrial Heritage Society

MUSEUM:
Apart from another site inspection of Paco no other advice forthcoming.

ROLLINGSTOCK:
No information on attempts to preserve rollingstock has been received.

Locomotive Fleets

Remain virtually unchanged since last reported on the Philippine Railways SIG website!

THANKS:
Thanks to Jaime and 'Wheels on Steel' for information contained in this update!