~~ MARCH PRHS DISPLAY ~~~

Had another display at a recent party, mostly to promote our upcoming change in charter from helping the local Manila railway society, to a charity solely for helping poor children in Manila.

Sadly, as we were unable to take donations on the night as we are mid way through the work needed to officially make the change, however the support from people, for what we propose, was very heartwarming and it looks very promising.

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~~ ANGELES CITY 1999 ~~

I wondered where this photograph got to.

Amazingly it tuned up while looking in a box of Australian railway

shots from around 15 years ago.

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~~ FROM THE SIDELINE ~~

A NEW SECTION OF PERSONAL VIEWS!

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By - The Colonel

RIHSPI taking control of Skyscraper city forums...
As part of the RIHSPI plan to control the railfan movement in the Philippines, it would seem many posts on SSC that are critical of them, or PNR demolishing, and destroying potential heritage assets, are now being delated.
This group supposedly for preservation, seems to heading more towards a type of railfan dictatorship, something rarely seen in preservation circles, and if it does, such schemes, or the people involved, are doomed to failure.

Well meaning individuals have tried to make a difference, however these efforts seem in vain.
If one is to go to the Philippines to research their railways and infrastructure, it would be best to keep a low profile, as quite a few rumours circulate at present about blackbans, unwelcome railfan individuals etc.
How much is genuine PNR, or RIHSPI is a point in question.As it was pointed out, the recent destruction in Caloocan, and elsewhere, under RIHSPI's nose has left even less historical items to perhaps preserve, and enjoyfor future generations.
The end result for this power grabbing, and enforcement, is assets being obliterated, while the struggles to police peoples ideas, and enthusiasm are being consolidated.

---------------------------------

ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS SECTION ARE SOLELY THAT OF THE PERSON WHO WROTE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESERNT THOSE OF THE 'PHILIPPINE RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY'

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~~ RAILFAN DAY IN MANILA ~~

As has become quite a tradition with Philippine trips, our visit last month saw another railfan gathering organised.

This gathering saw us meet at Espana to photograph the DMUs and then travel the old Commex into Tutuban. Here we inspected the few remaining items in Tayuman yard, before catching a train to Blumentritt to inspect Abad Santo and Sollis signalboxes.

Then it was off to Paco to look at the derelict remains of the original station, Pasay Road for the sake of it and then back to Espana where we all farewelled each other.

I have some photos to share, but thought I would show these by my good friends Rodney Orca and Ben Exconde who have been quicker to get them on to Facebook than I have.

APOLOGIES - Rodney just notified me that all the photos are actual Ben's. I have rectified this in the credits below. Thanks Rodney and sorry Ben.

Brad and David walking back to Abad Santos and Sollis station.

Grrrrrrrr train stoppages!

Photo: Ben Exconde

BUDA (aka PUSA) Car #22 recieves an inspection much to the disgust of its informal settler who high tailed it outside the door.

Photo: Ben Exconde

Some of the remaining group at Paco.

Photographer: Unknown - - Camera: Benm Exconde

Taking a look at the newest additipons to the PNR fleet.

Photo: Ben Exconde

Morning service heads back to the cover of the carriage shed.
Photo: Ben Exconde

Just when you think they have all been removed from Manila
they go and sneak back in!

Does this make is a PUSA car now?

"We decided to mark that which we could hope to

preserve in our lifetime"

Quote: Jaime Tiongson!

An interesting quote recieved yesterday during upset following

the showing of these shots.

So all that can be preserved in this persons lifetime is a few freight wagons and the dormatory car? Perhaps the observation car after a panic trip south.

Not even just three historic Madras cars could be done on

the very cheap labour available there?

Perhaps the last MCBP which was still in good condition and stored inside could have been easily kept?

Then there was the favourite of some local members, 7A-129 and 130.

Nobody seems to even know the status of the last two sleeping car survivors, perhaps even parts of them show in ther photos below.

Seems also an interesting quote as this reason was not an important concern when the 'H' program commenced on its very small scale. Plans were even mentioned of going to Caloocan to mark these cars, my being asked to come along and identify which should be kept.

Now we are left with the dormatory car, the observation car, the very important Marcos car (I hope), a number of 7As (many in far worse condition than the 7Es at scrapping and some modern day NR types.

The first three are indeed historically important, some very much so, but what about the every day items? The ones that Mr and Mrs

Filipino once travelled on and can relate to?

Suppose the next time we see them will be at the big roundhouse in the sky.

What about the people in the 'next lifetime' who would have had more time to restore these important items. Won't they be rightly pissed?

A PERSONAL VIEW!

This is my personal view and does not reflect that of the PRHS, or any of its members, whether or not they already agree with what I say.

This is not aimed at any society, more so the comments of an individual who tried to explain his inaction that lead to this event.

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RIVERBANKS STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

Taken during February 2010 and remaining in a rather good condition.
Contrary to earlier reports, security guards were not a problem.
The building behind s the Gordon/Fernando campain office.