Philippine Railway Historical Society News and History!: January 2025

Howdee, and welcome to the 26th year of the 'Philippine Railway Historical Society', a celebration of a quarter century of existence.

We will be looking back on those 26 years later on in the year, but most of 2026 will be spent looking back on our massive 2010 visit.

Due to the huge variety of photos taken during the 2010 trip, we will be separating the different subjects into various posts over the next 12 months.

Locomotives - Rollingstock - Infrastructure

Railcars

This post marks the second installment of random rolling stock photographs taken in 2010. Interestingly, while back in Australia I've always been more interested in locomotives, infrastructure, and to some extent railcars, my time in the Philippines has sparked a growing fascination with rolling stock. I've set myself the goal of capturing photos of every surviving piece since 2004.

Occasionally, more historic rolling stock makes appearances on our blog or in discussions on our main members forum.

If you find an interest in non-railways topics in the Philippines, you are invited to check out our

Semi-Retired Foamer Travel Blog

Here we cover scenery, shopping malls, jeepneys, shipping, aviation, and other topics.

Interested In All Things Philippines? We Have Heaps.

Check out our new Link Tree site.

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7A-2007 being taken back to the carriage shed at Tutuban Yard.

This was the Tutuban - Biñan set.

This carriage is stored at Caloocan as of January 2025.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2006 also being taken back to the carriage shed at Tutuban Yard.

This was the Tutuban - Biñan set.

Carriage is now scrapped.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2019 being taken back to the carriage shed at Tutuban Yard.

This was the Tutuban - Biñan set.

Carriage is now scrapped.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2015 as with the above shots.

Carriage is now scrapped.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2014 as with the above shots.

This carriage is stored at Tutuban as of January 2025.

Photo: Brad Peadon

A couple of near new Rotem sets in the carriage shed as the Biñan set joins them.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7C-114.

Sitting in Tutuban yard.

This carriage is stored at Tutuban as of January 2025.

Photo: Brad Peadon

NR-09.

Sitting in Tutuban yard.

This carriage is stored at Tutuban as of January 2025.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A class carriages sitting at Tutuban station.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2029 sitting at Tutuban station.

Carriage is now scrapped.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Inside 7A-2007 looking out onto PNR heritage loco 902.

About to depart on that evenings Biñan service.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Now scrapped 7A-2006 sitting at Tutuban station.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Biñan service about to depart Tutuban.

The service would operate to Biñan then stable overnight to operate back in the morning.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2014 at Tutuban station.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Fuel tanker TF-71 in Tutuban yard.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Flat FL-472 in Tutuban yard.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Boxcar BC-583 in Tutuban yard.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Flat FL-255 in Tutuban yard.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Flat FL-1 (type leader) in Tutuban yard.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Tutuban yard.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2014 at Tutuban station.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Now scrapped 7A-2029 at Tutuban station.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Now scrapped 7A-2006 at Tutuban station.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Recently restored CAR-4s bogie at Ligao (Bicol).

Photo: Brad Peadon

Inside carriage CAR-4 at Ligao (Bicol).

Photo: Brad Peadon

Recently restored CAR-1s bogie at Ligao (Bicol).

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

Inside carriage CAR-1 at Ligao (Bicol).

Photo: Brad Peadon

Recently restored CAR-3s bogie at Ligao (Bicol).

Photo: Brad Peadon

Inside carriage CAR-3 at Ligao (Bicol).

Photo: Brad Peadon

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The videos above showcase the old Caloocan Workshops, an integral part of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) infrastructure, which first opened its doors in 1906. Since its inception, this facility has played a pivotal role in the maintenance, repair, and construction of rolling stock, crucially supporting the operations of the railway network in the Philippines, especially in the greater Manila area.

Over the years, the workshops have adapted to meet the evolving needs of the PNR, making significant contributions to the development and upkeep of the country's railway infrastructure. However, with the gradual reduction of the railway system's scale, the prominence of the Caloocan Workshops has also diminished.

Note that despite the thumbnails, it was not to be our last coverage of the Caloocan Workshops.

We would return for one last time in 2023 to historically cover it just prior to the Manila system closing (they like to say temporarily, but we'll see).

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MrX, Nhing, and Onyo.

Mark Chua (PNR)

Tanggol Lao (PNR)

Philippine National Railways Management & Staff.

Phil-Hist Investments

wikipedia.org

Philippine National Railways Official Site

2009 - Random Rollingstock

2009 - Random Rollingstock Pt2

2010 - Random Rollingstock Pt1

2010 - Random Rollingstock Pt2

Philippine Railway Historical Society

Free Philippine Railway Publications

Negros/Panay Sugar Tramways & History - Past & Present

Philippine Association of Rail Enthusiasts
Our Sister group.

Semi-Retired Foamer Travel & Aviation

Love The Philippines (For Those Who Do)

Philippine Transport Modeller

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If you play guitar and want to know the secret to making it sound better, please stay tuned...

Ragay railway station is located in the municipality of Ragay, which is in the province of Camarines Sur (CamSur), in the Bicol region of the Philippines.

The station is part of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Bicol Line, which now connects Calamba in Laguna (from Manila until that section closed last year) to the Bicol region.

Historically, the Bicol Line provided rail services between Manila and various parts of the Bicol Region, including Ragay. However, services in this area were disrupted and have been suspended for a number of years, particularly after damage from Typhoon Reming in 2006 and subsequent infrastructure issues.

While, as of now transfers do seem to be possible, there has been no word on the returning of passenger services any time in the near future.

In recent years, there have been discussions and efforts to revive rail services in the Bicol region as part of the Philippine government's push to improve transportation infrastructure, including the potential restoration of the Bicol Express and the construction of new rail systems under the Bicol Railway Project.

For the most current status of railway services in the region, it's recommended to check with local authorities or the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

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Are you interested in the fascinating sugarcane railways on the islands of Negros and Panay (Philippines)?

Also includes sugar and timber railways on Cebu & Mindanao.

We have started a new specialising in this topic, aimed at local historians, railfans interested in these railways, and people with a general interest in the industry.

You are invited to come join the new forum.

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North end of Ragay station.

Sadly the station has since been rebuilt and modernised, removing all the features that made the station so unique and leaving another dreary example of modernity.

Photo: Brad Peadon

North end of Ragay platform.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

The sea creature design in the window grill were just one of the unique parts of the station building.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Another fascinating design aspect of the station was awning supports that all had a palm tree like design.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Main station building.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Looking northwards along Ragay platform.

Photo: Brad Peadon

South end of the platform showing a hive of activity.

The local shops can be see to the far left.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Another unique feature of the station were these fish design name signs at both ends of the awning.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Shopping area next to Ragay station.

Location today.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Looking north along the station platform.

Photo: Brad Peadon

The less appealing modern replacement for that lovely old structure that existed in 2010.

Photo: Google Streetscape

Locals using what passes for passenger service even today.

Photo: Brad Peadon

The south end of the awning.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Ragay yard.

Photo: Brad Peadon

A local somewhat curious about the appearance of two Aussies in town.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

Yeah, the awning was in a bad way at this stage. But I wonder what the cost difference would have been for a full heritage restoration compared that which replaced it?

Photo: Brad Peadon