Thursday, December 9, 2021

CALOOCAN WORKSHOPS 2009 REVISITED - PT1




A while back we had a series about the endangered railway workshops in Caloocan (Manila).
At the time, the workshops were in imminent danger of demolition to make way for a depot to serve the north line.

However, as of now the workshops are still there. Though this cannot be expected to be the case forever. 

Anyway, while partaking in the endlessly boring task of catalogue a mass of photos, I came across another large amount of workshops shots taken in 2009.

Given the interest in the last series, I thought I would chuck them up here for all and sundry to see.

As always, a huge salamat to the Philippine National Railways for their support in allowing me to cover this wonderful workshops.



SCB-977 was historic in that it was the last bus (excluding mini vans) to remain in Philippine National Railways ownership.

Over many visits, this poor old girl was noted deteriorating badly, by our 2011 visit she was scrapped with only a few parts remaining.

An article on SCB-977 is here.

At the time it was thought it was the last existing PNR bus anywhere, however, more recent information has come to light that at least one went to MAC LINER and was observed still operating around this time. Indeed, it still wore pretty much the same livery.

Photo: Brad Peadon



Photo: Brad Peadon


Locomotive status and rollingstock inventory as of 2009.
While I have seen many lists outlining all existing locomotives and passenger stock, I never saw individual listings of surviving freight stock (except from back in the 80s).
This has made recording freight wagon history a little hard.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Clocking on and off for work.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Photo: Brad Peadon


Photo: Brad Peadon


Machine Shop - January 26 1972
Photo: Brad Peadon


5004 in the main shed at Caloocan.
Photo: Brad Peadon


NR-1 was undergoing a rebuild by the 'Sta Rosa Motor Works'. It was the prototype for a project that was to see many old 7A type carriages upgraded.
Sadly, while this carriage was completed, the project never progressed beyond this example. 
Photo: Brad Peadon







A track machine playing peek-a-boo.
Photo: Brad Peadon



NR-02 alongside the main workshop.
Photo: Brad Peadon




7A-2004 alongside the main workshop.
Photo: Brad Peadon


7A-2004 (14 53) alongside the main workshop.
Photo: Brad Peadon


7A-2004 alongside the main workshop.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Workhorse U15C #921.
Photo: Brad Peadon




908 (ex 904). Her working days are over and she has given many internal parts to keep her sisters alive.
Now she sits awaiting her turn with the gas axe.
Photo: Brad Peadon



Inspection car IC-888 has spent many, many, years sitting in the workshops disused.
On this visit we were treated to a look inside.
Photo: Brad Peadon









7C-104 undergoing work.
Photo: Brad Peadon