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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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Monday, July 19, 2021

902: NEW ERA FOR PNR'S FIRST LADY

 


902 - New Era For PNR's First Lady

During the past week, during the sadness of this worldwide pandemic, we were made aware of the exciting news that 'Philippine National Railways' U15C (it is not a U14C no matter how many people choose to spread Wikipedia misinformation) has been released from her rebuild at DESCO.

This development has been much looked forward to.

Having visited the DESCO factory back in 2019 (seems so very long ago), I for one have been excited to see their finished product.

Thanks to 'Daryl Guarnes Saavedra', we have a number of shots of this delivery to show. However, we will start with some photos of her since the 70s and through until today.



A photo of 902 in the red/yellow livery taken by my friend Lindsay Bridge.
While red has always been my favourite livery, it was far more preferable without the yellow cab door.


Very rare pic of DEL 902 taken in 1977
From the International Railway Journal via Dirk Paul Celoso

903, 904 and 902 official photo taken in 1974.



902 Tutuban - 2007 - Brad Peadon

902 Tutuban - 2007 - Brad Peadon


902 Tutuban - 2007 - Brad Peadon


902 and 917 Tutuban - 2007 - Brad Peadon
Two differing versions of the U15C on PNR.


902 Tutuban - 2007 - Brad Peadon
Was, and still is, the oldest operational locomotive on the 'Philippine National Railway'. Her rebuild should see her retain this title for some time to come.

This was the first use of 902 in 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' logos and promotion.
It would go on to a couple of redesigns until the one we have today, designed by Jansen Rainhard Clemente.


902 Caloocan - 2009 - Alberto Nual


902 Caloocan - 2009 - Brad Peadon


902 Caloocan - 2009 - Brad Peadon


902  Tutuban on evening Binan pass - 2010- Brad Peadon
Interestingly, some eleven years later and she is reunited with the rail at Binan, rebuilt and in a whole new look.

I have long had an association with 902. We all have our favourite locomotives on the various different railway systems of the world, and 902 has certainly been mine.
Ever since the scrapping of Panay Railway 114, sometime in the last decade, U15C 902 has held the title of the oldest government railway owned (as opposed to private) diesel locomotive in the country.

902 at Tayuman locomotive depot with David Xuereb - 2010 - Brad Peadon


902 at Tayuman locomotive depot with myself - 2010 - David Xuereb

902 at Tayuman locomotive depot with myself - 2010 - David Xuereb

Video

902 arrives at Pasay Road station with a service to Alabang, as 918 arrives on an opposing service back to Tutuban.




902 in Caloocan Workshops, having been picked for the next round of locomotive rebuilds.
Soon after, she would be railed to Binan, then road hauled to the DESCO factory, where she, and 913, would be rebuilt over the next two years.



902 is indeed a lovely looking locomotive - 2018 - Brad Peadon


A very tightly cropped image of 902 under rebuild at Binan.
The tight cropping necessary for an agreement not to show anything more than the front until both locomotives have been delivered.
Due to these conditions, we ask you not to risk legal ramifications by sharing without asking first.

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The PNR Flagship Returns!

The following shots come thanks to 'Daryl Guarnes Saavedra' and show 902 on her way home to PNR tracks.
All images taken at Binan.


The fresh orange livery make a wonderful contrast against the black night sky.







With 902 now back on the system, and 913 soon to follow, many are asking what is next.
We have always known that two more were expected to follow.
 It has already been revealed publicly that 914 is to be one of them. We know of the second, but feel it best to wait for PNR or DESCO to officially identify it.


A big thank you to the following:

Philippine National Railways - Management & Staff
DESCO Engineering - Management & Staff

Edwin Aguiwas, Onyo Artocillo, Dirk Paul Celoso, Mark Chua, Junn Magno (PNR GM), Jimmy Reyes and Daryl Guarnes Saavedra.
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900 Class Livery Project

The PRHS is slowly working on a project covering all 900 class liveries, and variations, over the years.
We would like to hear from anyone who has photos of the class prior to the year 2000, or even notes of same.
Your contributions will be credited. 

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