Caloocan Workshops has seen it's fair share of historically important rollingstock over the years, but for this century, there has been none more important than that PC-286 'Kalayaan'.
Believed to have been built in Japan (can someone confirm the builder?), it was originally numbered PC-777.
The 777 is apparently significant in that '7' was the favourite number of President Marcos. The same number was carried by the presidential bus, as seen here in a photo from Mark Chua's collection.
The 777 is apparently significant in that '7' was the favourite number of President Marcos. The same number was carried by the presidential bus, as seen here in a photo from Mark Chua's collection.
So why the number change?
Marcos was removed from power in February of 1986 (or 2/86) and it is believed the number change was made soon after. As such, it is unlikely that he would have ever been in the carriage under it's current designation.
'Kalayaan' is Filipino for 'Freedom', obviously also aimed at the fall of the former president. While the name is in official 'Philippine National Railways' computer records, I have not seen any evidence that the carriage has actually ever carried it.
Today the carriage resides in Caloocan Workshops, and has done so for all the 20 years I have been visiting there. Records say that it was in Manila Yard back in late 1988, but it is unlikely it was used post 1986.
Below are a selection of detail shots I took, with a view to building a model should measurements ever come forward.
Following those, I am indebted to my friend Mark Chua, who recently went and took some exclusive photos inside the carriage.
All thoughts of it being filled with money, jewels and the First Lady's shoe collection, have been well and truly dashed :-)
'Kalayaan' is Filipino for 'Freedom', obviously also aimed at the fall of the former president. While the name is in official 'Philippine National Railways' computer records, I have not seen any evidence that the carriage has actually ever carried it.
Today the carriage resides in Caloocan Workshops, and has done so for all the 20 years I have been visiting there. Records say that it was in Manila Yard back in late 1988, but it is unlikely it was used post 1986.
Below are a selection of detail shots I took, with a view to building a model should measurements ever come forward.
Following those, I am indebted to my friend Mark Chua, who recently went and took some exclusive photos inside the carriage.
All thoughts of it being filled with money, jewels and the First Lady's shoe collection, have been well and truly dashed :-)
Overall view of the Presidential carriage, along with north wall of
the main workshop building.
A huge thanks to Mark Chua for sharing these important
internal photographs with us.
Thanks also to Ap Cal and John Tickvah.
Earn some extra Pesos for that Jollibee dinner. Timebucks.
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