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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.
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Thursday, August 6, 2026

2010/2011: RANDOM ROLLINGSTOCK




At the risk of inflicting yet another dose of rollingstock-induced tedium upon the unsuspecting reader, we now move into our coverage of 2011.

By this stage, the veteran 7A-type coaches were rapidly approaching the end of their working lives, with yet another sizeable donation of second-hand Japanese EMU stock arriving to take their place. Naturally, these electric multiple units could not actually operate as intended, given that the Philippine National Railways network has never possessed overhead electrification. Instead, they were reduced to being hauled around by diesel locomotives—a rather fitting example of trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

Almost everything featured in this collection has now become part of history. The Metro Manila commuter railway has since been closed, supposedly on a temporary basis, to make way for the construction of an elevated replacement. We continue to hear assurances that the original ground-level alignment will eventually reopen for freight services, and perhaps even passenger trains. Whether that actually eventuates remains another matter entirely. After watching decades of promises, delays and changing priorities, I find it difficult to share the same level of optimism. Experience has taught me that grand announcements are considerably easier to produce than functioning railways.

Nevertheless, this collection forms another chapter in documenting over twenty-five years of Philippine rollingstock—an era that has now largely disappeared into history. What was once an everyday sight has become an archival record of a railway that, in many respects, no longer exists in the form it once did. It is also a reminder of why I eventually abandoned any attempt to promote railway heritage preservation in the Philippines. There comes a point where repeated disappointment outweighs enthusiasm.

So, with expectations firmly kept in check, welcome to Philippine Rollingstock in 2011.

We put a huge amount of work into our many social media activities.
Would you like to give some encouragement here?

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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 all different topics from around the Philippines and elsewhere, and have the huge 'Jeepney 3000' project still ongoing. 
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There is an unidentified gondola car (GC-xxx) under all that Caloocan grass. I promise..
Photo: Brad Peadon

These former Japanese EMU cars were still quite new to the Philippines when I arrived in 2011.
They would go on to be a major part of the Manila rail scene up till the regretful 'temporary' closure of the heavy rail system for building of an elevated line.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below. 
Former Japanese spark 203-107 sitting at Tutuban's non-passenger platforms.
Photos: Brad Peadon



203-113 also sitting in Tutuban yard.
A few years ago I was told this building, and the others down the west side of the yard, were to be soon demolished. 
As far as I am aware, it is still there.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
Former sleeping carriages 14-752 and 14-755.
Both were donations from Japan, and while still existing, they are in a rather bad condition at San Pablo and Hondagua. I doubt they will ever be required again.
Photos: Brad Peadon


The next pile of photos show the former Japanese 12 & 14 class rollingstock, the majority of which is now either scrapped or is a condition close to collapse.
Again, it is unlikely any survivors will see use again.
Photos: Brad Peadon


Poor old 7A-2015 and 7A-2007 were actually still in service on the daily run to Binan.
Tutuban station.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Dining car at Tutuban station.
Photo: Brad Peadon


CAR-2 was one of these cars that were refurnished by the team at Naga during a period of typhoon caused isolation from the line to Manila.
Photo: Brad Peadon


14.82 on the once important Bicol Express while stopping at Pasay Road station in Metro Manila.
This service operated between Manila and the southern most terminus (at the time) of Legaspi.
Photo: Brad Peadon


14.29 also on the once important Bicol Express while stopping at Pasay Road station in Metro Manila.
Photo: Brad Peadon


NR-01 at Tutuban station.
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
CAR-1 at the south end of our Bicol Commuter run at Sipocot station.
We spent the day riding this train from Naga to Sipocot, back south to Ligao, and then back to Naga.
Was a great day. Met some great railway people. 
They were far better days than what it has now become.
Photos: Brad Peadon



Poor ol 7A-2007 trailing up the rear of a Binan passenger train. A very moist evening.
Photo: Brad Peadon


14.30 at Tutuban station for the Bicol Express.
These three were in somewhat better condition than the earlier delivered 7A type of the same Japanese class.
Photo: Brad Peadon


14.91 at Tutuban station for the Bicol Express.
Photo: Brad Peadon


14.28 at Tutuban station for the Bicol Express.
Photo: Brad Peadon


KIHA 59 Kogane to the right, Bicol Express on the left..
Photo: Brad Peadon



CAR-1 during the 2011 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' Railfan Day.
Photo: Brad Peadon


7A-2006 has seen better days, but was still in use on one service a day..
Photo: Brad Peadon


NR-07 in the Caloocan Workshops .
Photo: Brad Peadon


Above and below.
Inspection car IC-888 in Caloocan Workshops where it has slept for over two decades.
Only time I have seen it elsewhere was Tutuban yard in 1999. Sometime after it was painted in this livery, which it can't have carried for long before being placed in storage.
Photos: Brad Peadon




Presidential Car PC-2.86 sitting in the main workshop building at Caloocan.
It would later become an office in the smaller workshop, while today it sits in the open at Tutuban station during the seemingly never ending period till being transferred south.
Tragic to see such an important carriage out in the elements, when it could have just as easily been kept back undercover at the workshop.
Photo: Brad Peadon

5009 passes the former Espana station hauling caboose FCD-8.
Today, the tracks are gone, the station is gone, and a horrid elevated road passes overhead.
Photo: Brad Peadon


MrX and Nhing.
Plus a couple of strangely normal security guards.







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You're welcome.


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