SPOTLIGHT ON - 7A CLASS

The 7A class (former 'Japanese National Railways' 12 and 14 series) carriages were donated to the 'Philippine National Railways' between 1999 and 2001. They were to become a familiar sight both on local Manila services, as well as provincial runs through to Legaspi.
They were mostly built during the 1970s, though construction did start in 1969. There were various manufacturers of the cars, these being 'Fuji Heavy Industries', 'Niigata Engineering' and 'Nippon Sharyo'. This later builder having also supplied the 3500 class new to the Philippines.
Today, only a few 7A class survive, in rather bad condition, so we thought we would have a look through the PRHS archive and check them out over the years.
Enjoy. 
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7A-2001
Japan # 14 48 - 1974
Withdrawn following Padre Burgos accident (2004)
Scrapped

7A-2002
Japan # 14 49 - 1974
Withdrawn following Padre Burgos accident (2004)

Scrapped

7A-2003
Japan # 14 52 - 1973
Withdrawn following Padre Burgos accident (2004)

Situation Unknown

7A-2004
Japan # 14 53 - 1973

Believed Scrapped

7A-2005
Japan # 14 204 - 1974

Believed Scrapped

7A-2006
Japan # 12 116 - 1977
Part of last COMMEX set (Binan)

Believed Scrapped

7A-2007
Japan # 12 111 - 1977
Part of last COMMEX set (Binan)

Still existing (December 2019)

7A-2008
Japan # 12 114 - 1977

Believed Scrapped

7A-2009 (Now CAR-5)
Japan # Unknown

Still Exists

7A-2011
Japan # 12 124 - 1970

Believed Scrapped

7A-2012
Japan # 12 125 - 1970

Believed Scrapped

7A-2013
Japan # 12 231 - 1971

Believed Scrapped

7A-2014
Japan # 12 232 - 1971

Believed Scrapped

7A-2015
Japan # 12 ??? - 1971
Part of last COMMEX set (Binan)

Believed Scrapped

CAR-4 (7A-2016)
Japan # 12 234 - 1971

Still Existing.

7A-2019
Japan # 12 325 - 1977

Scrapped 2015

7A-2021
Japan # ? - 19??

Scrapped

7A-2023
Japan # 12 373 - 1978

Believed Scrapped

7A-2025
Japan # 12 372 - 1978

Only 7A to wear the Filtrack livery.
Still existing (December 2019)

7A-2026
Japan # 12 262 - 1978

Believed Scrapped

7A-2027
Japan # 12 373 - 1978Withdrawn following Padre Burgos accident (2004)

Scrapped 2009

7A-2029
Japan # 12 374 - 1978Part of last COMMEX set (Binan)

Believed Scrapped

12-801 (Japanese Number)
Japan # 12 801 - 1978Still Existing.

I would like to thank the 'Philippine National Railways' for their ongoing support of my research into their rollingstock over the years.
Special thanks to Mark Chua (PNR) for his help with this article.

Recent Articles:

BUDA Car 22
New Shunters Arrive
April 2020 - Locomotive Update

The PRHS freely publishes regular rollingstock updates HERE.

BUDA22 THEN - NOW

Anyone who has visited Tutuban station would likely have noticed the small railcar looking thing up the west end of the main concourse.
  I recently found some photos in the late William 'Bill' Sullivan (PRHS VP) collection and thought it would be great to give people a comparison of the vehicle back in 2007, and how she appears today.

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In 2007, at Caloocan Workshops, she was little more than a hollow shell and in severe danger of being scrapped. Her sister, #21, was in much worse condition, and can be seen next to her in these photos.
I am not aware of the fate of #21, but suspect it cannot be good.

Another Product of the BUDA Company.
This was  not a Philippine unit.
For more information on the company, check Wikipedia.

Hard to believe she is the same vehicle as 

in the above shots.
BUDA22 now sits here in the Tutuban station concourse, along with a small display of historical shots. It is great to see people often go have a look and experience a small part of their important railway history.

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Coming Soon!

Abad Santos Signalbox - William (Bill) Sullivan Collection

Rollingstock Photo Surveys

THE THREE NEW PNR ARRIVALS

While we have been concentrating on the two new shunter arrivals, one of our dearest friends has been busy with the delivery of an arrival of his own.

Yesterday, all three of them were united for the first time.

A huge congratulations to Mark Chua (PRHS/PNR) and his asawa on the birth of 'Mark Zean M. Chua' who, at one day old, may turn out to be the Philippines youngest railfan (and hopefully PRHS member).

Really wonderful news, at a rather dark time in history.
So happy for you mate, your kids are so lucky to have you for their dad, as we are to have you in the hobby.

Wishing you all the very best in life Baby Mark.