2023 is looking to be the year of change for the 'Philippine National Railways'.
It was recently announced that the rail services around Manila, and down to Calamba, would be closed for a period of five years for elevated road construction (yeah road).
Details have been light at best. It is not clear whether there will still be rail access for transfers to Tutuban and Caloocan.
Depending on what report you wish to believe, Tutuban yard will see some severe changes during this period, while Caloocan Workshops may finally see the redevelopment first expected to be commenced some years back.
Last August I visited a number of railway locations in Manila. Expecting these developments, I went to extra special lengths to cover more than has been the case previously.
To start the 2022 series, I thought it was time to give the Caloocan Workshop traverser a good going over.
A few years back there was talk of a new workshop being built down in Laguna.
To our knowledge, nothing has commenced construction wise and, even if the project does happen, it is probably unlikely to include this 1989 built traverser.
Photos: Brad Peadon (PRHS)
KYOSAN KOGYO
1989
FUKUSHIMA JAPAN
Photos: Brad Peadon
Looking west along traverser.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Newly painted 52 122 goes for a ride on the traverser.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Looking east along the traverser.
In the background is the new elevated road that follows above the PNR right of way.
Sadly this construction lead to severe damage to the original Caloocan station, as well as the disappearance of the last semaphore signal in the country.
Both being significant heritage losses.
Photos: Brad Peadon
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Caloocan Workshops Content
Many thanks to Mark Chua &
Philippine National Railways.
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