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Welcome one and all to the 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' blogsite. This site was set up to share photos, historical pieces, comment and virtually anything else pertaining to transportation in the Philippines, with a special emphasis on rail. Occasional we vary from topic, but this is the less serious side of the hobby shining through - cause sometimes, in this miserable and uptight world, we just take ourselves a little too seriously.
Since 1999, the Philippine Railway Historical Society has regularly published items, FOR FREE, of railway interest on our PRHS Website. These include locomotive, rollingstock and transit updates, as well as our occasional magazine, 'Along Da Riles'.
Our interest base has grown over the years with our main Facebook railway group expanding to include groups interested in other Philippine Transport, modelling of Philippine transport and even a group for Philippine railfans interested in overseas railways.
If it sounds interesting, come join in the fun of the oldest, and most diverse, group dedicated to Philippine railways and other transport.
We look forward to meeting you.

If you have a question Philippine railway related, just drop us a line, maybe we can help.
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Friday, January 22, 2021

MARK'S NORTHERN ADVENTURE PART 1

Again, our roving reporter, Mark Chua, has headed out searching out some of the Philippines rich railway history.

This time, he set off north for an overnight journey to San Fernando (La Union), where an early morning arrival saw them following the long closed railway line back towards Manila.

As always, we thank Mark both for his passion for the railways of the Philippines, but for his generosity in sharing it with us.

This is the first of a multi-part series looking at what he saw.



Given the long journey from Manila to San Fernando (La Union), Mark obviously took a couple of rest stops.
One was here at the remains of an old railway bridge near Paniqui.




Mark's motorbike at Rosario in Pangasinan.


San Fernando - La Union

San Fernando opened in 1929 and was considered the terminus of the main north line. 

However, there was a 20km extension to Bacnotan, which appears to have been considered a branchline. There has been conflicting reports as to whether or not this extension was only for freight. 

Much of this extension can still be made out on Google Earth today.  







Looking down the once extensive railway yard.
Whether this location ever sees rail again remains to be seen.



The San Fernando wye (triangle for some of us)






Bauang Station - La Union
This station has a reasonable sized yard at it's peak.
A 1928 image (see below) showing a train at the station would suggest that services ran to here prior to the completion of the line to San Fernando. This is assuming the opening date of 1929 is correct, or indeed the date of the photo below.






The arch design below is reminiscent of that at Los Banos (College) station in Laguna.





The CTC initials stand for the 'Commonwealth Transportation Commission.
If anyone can share details of the CTC, we would love to receive an email from you.


Bauang railway station back in 1928.


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Hope this has been of interest. 
The second part is coming soon.
Photos/Report: Mark Chua
Website Compiling: Brad Peadon
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With thanks to Dirk Paul Celoso.







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