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. _ _
Monday, September 8, 2025
SPOTLIGHT ON DEL GALLEGO - 2010
Ah yes, once again we find ourselves looking back through locations visited during our somewhat epic 2010 pilgrimage from Manila all the way down to Legazpi, accompanied by the ever-mysterious MrX and the ever-patient Philippine Railway Historical Society crew. Back then, railfanning wasn’t yet overrun by questionable characters and half the places we explored were still shiny new discoveries for us—like kids in a railway-themed candy store.
Del Gallego Station, in particular, was a bit of a wild goose chase—difficult to locate but absolutely worth the effort once we stumbled upon its surprisingly charming design and prime real estate. As with many stops on that journey, the locals were a treasure trove of stories, mostly people who’d grown up with the railway line as their backdrop, swapping tales while the station silently waited for trains that weren’t coming. At the time, typhoon damage had already put a big fat pause on services, and though the trains briefly made a comeback, it was the kind of comeback that lasts about as long as a mayfly’s Tinder match. These days, the rails see the occasional maintenance train — if you squint and wish really hard — while the station building plays the world’s slowest game of “gather dust and hope for a brighter future.”
Ah, Del Gallego Station — the grand old diva of Philippine railway history, now enjoying a well-earned retirement in the quiet town of Del Gallego, Camarines Sur. Once a bustling stop on the Philippine National Railways’ Main Line South, this station used to be the place where dreams took the train from Manila all the way to Bicol. It was 1938, jazz was still cool, and President Manuel L. Quezon himself came all the way down to hammer in a ceremonial golden spike, because apparently, nothing says "progress" like hitting metal into wood while photographers clap. It was a big deal — the kind of ribbon-cutting moment you’d post on Instagram with a sepia filter and a long caption about nation-building.
Architecturally, Del Gallego Station is no slouch either. Designed by Pablo S. Antonio, a National Artist who clearly had a thing for river stones and concrete, the building was a masterpiece of “weather-resistant chic.” You could throw a typhoon at it and it would probably just yawn. The design is shared with other stations in the south, so it’s kind of like the IKEA of Bicol railway architecture — stylish, durable, and hard to replicate without the manual. Back in its heyday, it sat right in the middle of town like a socially active grandmother — near the church, the school, and all the local gossip.
These days? Well, let’s just say the station has “retired gracefully.” No more trains, no more passengers — just curious tourists, history nerds, and maybe a couple of stray pusas. It’s been labeled a historical landmark, which is a polite way of saying “you’re old, but we still kind of like you.” Sure, the tracks are quiet, and the walls may be crumbling a bit, but Del Gallego Station still stands as a nostalgic reminder of when rail travel was king — or at least when it had a working schedule. So if you're ever in town, drop by. Take a selfie. Pay your respects to a legend that once made history — and is now making peace with the weeds.
Interested In All Things Philippines? We Have Heaps.
We always welcome news, photos and small articles for inclusion on both this site and our parent group (see below). Please email us!
PRHS.Society at gmail.com
The Philippine Railway Historical Society websites and forums on Facebook and Twitter, along with our YouTube channel, have further information regarding these interesting railways and also a number of chat forums for those interested in all areas of Philippine transportation.
Our various forums have the latest news and information from a number of very knowledgeable people. Please join in with our PRHS family, learn about the railways of the Philippines and make new friends.
We now act as a information society, having removed ourselves from the badder elements of the Manila railfan hobby, existing to meet and help others with similar interests.
PRHS - Longest Running Philippine Railways group.
26 years of serving the Philippine railway hobby.
Brad
Australia
FREE PRHS RAILWAY PUBLICATIONS
The PRHS regularly publishes magazines (mostly ezines, but sometimes hard copies) covering different railway topics. Locomotive, rollingstock and transit updates, publications aimed at modellers and our occasional magazine 'Along Da Riles'. In the future, we are planning a number of other publications of interest to everyone, along with plans for a regularly updated database, and another plan that could prove to be a first for the Philippines. PRHS: Bringing a railfan hobby to the nation.
Want more information on the PRHS or have another Philippine railway enquiry?
Philippine Railway Historical Society
For all your Philippine railway information photos and chat, please visit our HOMEPAGE! Our group and activities are free - we are here to promote interest in the Philippine railways, make friendships and help with information. We are not a fundraising group and do not ask for funds. Do you support the past and future of the railways in the Philippines? Come chat with us atPRHSFacebook.We look forward to meeting you.
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