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. _ _
In March of this year, we were incredibly fortunate to be warmly hosted for a visit to the historic Hawaiian-Philippine Company sugar mill in Silay City, about 28 minutes north of Bacolod in Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Unlike our somewhat impromptu visit in 2023, this time I opted for a more official approach. With the kind support and blessing of the company chairman, we were granted the opportunity to experience what turned out to be one of the most unforgettable moments in my 26 years of exploring the railways of the Philippines.
In this thrilling installment, we have left the loading point at Colisap and make our way back to the mill for a look around the locoshed and yard.
Come join us for the ride. If you wish to see the videos of the day, as well as a lot more Philippine content, check out our PRHS TV YouTube channel.
As I have a general interest in the sugar milling industry as a whole, and have been into a couple of Aussie ones, it was fascinating to finally have the opportunity for a better look at this wonderful and historic mill.
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Are you interested in the sugarcane tramways and industry on the islands of Negros and Panay (Philippines)? Also covering the timber/sugar railways of Leyte, Cebu and Mindanao.
Preparing to depart Colisap and haul a load of cane to the mill.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and four below.
HPCo #2 in the ideal cane field surrounds of Negros (Philippines).
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above and four below.
Off we go, back through the fields towards the mill.
Photos: Brad Peadon
The quintessential Negros sugar industry view, looking across cane fields at a busy sugar mill hard at work.
Photos: Brad Peadon
That tree line to the left marks the former right of way for the many cane lines that once ran south of the mill, but have now regretfully all gone.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and two below.
Approaching, and crossing, the impressive Malisbog River bridge. The only intact bridge noted that was larger was down in Bais, but it does not look like it is still in use and information is hard to come by.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Level crossing before entering the Hawaiian-Philippine Company mill again.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Shunting the full cane trucks into the yard, before heading off light engine to the loco shed again..
Photos: Brad Peadon
Another rake of cane trucks waiting their turn to go out into the fields.
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.