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 this year will be spent looking back on our massive 2010 and 2011 visits.
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
Also rail employees - railfans - passengers.
If you find an interest in non-railway topics in the Philippines, you are invited to check out our
Here we cover all different topics from around the Philippines and elsewhere, and have the huge 'Jeepney 3000' project still ongoing.
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Lucena railway station is located in Lucena City, the capital of Quezon Province in the Philippines. It is part of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) network and holds both historical and cultural significance in the region. The station originally opened on February 10, 1913, with a wooden structure, which was later replaced in 1937 by a larger rubble-stone building to accommodate the growing number of passengers and the completion of the Main Line South.
Today, the structure is recognized as one of Lucena’s heritage buildings and is considered an "important cultural property" by local authorities, however a few years back lovely rubble-stone main building was ordered to be demolished, half of this utter heritage vandalism occurring before a stop was put to it.
Despite reports that the station was to be rebuilt, as of my last visit in 2023 this had yet to start.
In recent years, efforts have been made to restore and revive railway services in the area. In February 2022, Lucena station was partially rebuilt and reopened as the terminus of the San Pablo–Lucena Commuter Service. This marked a significant step in PNR’s ongoing rehabilitation program. The commuter service between San Pablo and Lucena takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes, with affordable fares ranging from 15 to 50 pesos, depending on the distance traveled.
More recently, services have extended to Calamba once a day. See the current timetable below, although it probably pays to check services on any day planned to travel as they can change quickly.
Despite some structural limitations, the station remains functional and plays a key role in the local community. The local government and the PNR have continued to express their support for further restoration and expansion, which could eventually re-establish more frequent train services in the region.
It is reported that there are plans to extend services south from Lucena. However, this is also yet to happen and probably relies on the arrival of locomotives and rollingstock trapped in Manila following the ripping up the tracks southwards to Calamba.
If you’re interested in the heritage of Philippine railways, Lucena station stands as a meaningful landmark worth noting and a visit. Hopefully you find some friendly security guard during any visit (they vary greatly in attitude across the system).
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Looking along Lucena station in the direction of Manila.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Randy Torres and friend in the yard at Lucena. Randy has sadly since passed away.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Southwards from station looking at the since rebuild rollingstock shed.
Photo: Brad Peadon
With much of the line damaged at the time 916 (original 908) didn't enjoy a huge amount of work.
Photo: Brad Peadon
A sled ride is always great fun.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Inside a rather run down rollingstock shed.
The rebuilt shed in 2022 can be seen HERE.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below
We were treated to the lovely sound of a 900 being turned over in the shed.
Photos: Brad Peadon
The south end of the shed.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Not entirely sure why the 'Office of the Storekeeper' had Pepsi advertising on it. But that it did.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
More views of the rollingstock shed.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Looking towards Lucena station from the shed.
Quite a significant yard, including a turntable, used to exist over where the trees are at left.
However today it is just the two tracks (see boxcar in the distance) and during 2023 visit I was told the second road was not fit for use. So the shunting engine had to pull the passenger set south on the main to allow the hauling engine to run around by using the shed road.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Passengers awaiting a train that was still a few years away.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Flatcar FL-23 on the platform road at Lucena.
Photos: Brad Peadon
FL-47 on the platform road also.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
An FL that looks more like a GL.
FL-265.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
The beautiful rubble-stone station before the destruction took place. Many eagerly await it's promised reconstruction.
Photos: Brad Peadon
A more traditional looking FL in the form of FL-643.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Awning and support shot looking southwards from the station building.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Note the Filtrack logo of the era.
Photos: Brad Peadon
The awning again, but looking towards the main station building.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Even before the severe damage to the main structure, some locals have been scrawling stuff over the station supports :-(.
No, I'm not suggesting it is those appearing in this photo.
No, I'm not suggesting it is those appearing in this photo.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Philippine National Railways Police.
Area IV Command
Photos: Brad Peadon
We will return in 2022 in a future post (see videos below).
Stay tuned.
To be updated on all posts, along with the latest news and photos
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MrX, Nhing, and Onyo.
PNR Management & Staff for your ongoing support with my efforts to record the last two and a half decades of the 'Philippine National Railways'.
wikipedia.org
Website.
Interested In All Things Philippines? We Have Heaps.
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Are you interested in the fascinating sugarcane tramways and industry on the islands of Negros and Panay?
You are invited to come join the new forum looking at a very little covered part of Philippine rail history.
You are invited to come join the new forum looking at a very little covered part of Philippine rail history.
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