DUMARAO STATION - PANAY RAILWAY SERIES PT8

 

It has been some time since the last installment in this series. I do apologise for that, but wanted to cover Mark's northern adventure as it was more timely.
Anyway, this part of our adventure had seen us farewell Kuya Ed at Passi City. From there we had to go it alone, without the huge benefit of Ed's local knowledge.

This meant that we missed a lot, but also meant I still had more reason to return to Panay. :-)

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Damarao is considered a second class municipality, consisting of 33 barangays, in the province of Capiz (Panay Island). The last census, some six years ago in 2015, showed an population of 46,157 people.

Looking at the statistics over the years, this population number would have well exceeded 60,000 by now.  

Dumarao was founded in 1580.
The railway opened in 1907, following construction that had started at both the Iloilo and Roxas ends.
It is interesting to note that the two met on the border of Dumarao and Passi City, at a location later known as 'Summit'.

Passenger operations ceased in 1985, with freight following in 1989.
Every couple of years the idea of rebuilding the line is raised, along with silly suggestions of a hybrid truck roadway along the formation, but nothing has yet eventuated.

Above: Looking towards Roxas City from the former level crossing near Dumarao station.

Above and below.

Dumarao station building, taken from level crossing and looking towards Iloilo City.

Above: Dumarao station from the Iloilo end.

Below: They would be quackers not to rebuild the railway.

Panay Railway passenger rates as of December 15th 1949.
Iloilo City to Dumarao being a massive P2.55 in second class and P1.55 in third.
Courtesy of: Turag Soy 

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If you would like to join in, perhaps share some memories, photos, news, or anything else related to the railways 

on Panay, please JOIN US HERE. 

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