LAST BINAN PASSENGER: 15/16 JULY 2023

The winding down of Philippine National Railway's narrow gauge operations around Manila continues, with this weekend seeing the very last service from Manila to Binan.

Following this last run, services are now curtailed to Alabang, at least until October when reports state that this will also end.

The next five years will see a new elevated commuter railway replace the original line to Calamba. Narrow gauge services continue from Calamba to Bicol wherever operations are possible.

While all us true fans of the 'Philippine National Railways' are sad to see the disappearance of all that we knew, there is no doubt that this modernisation will be of immense benefit to the people of Manila.

Brad Peadon

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16/7/2023 Last Train To Binan.

The crew of the last Binan service prior to departure from Tutuban station in Manila.

Photo: Mark Chua

Set 7 is about to go down in history as the last set to operate the Manila to Binan service.

Photo: Mark Chua

Mark is busy preparing the train for the final run.

This would no doubt be a bitter sweet moment for him, being able to be part of history, while also being saddened to see another service ending.

Photo: Mark Chua

What would now be quite the souvenier, a ticket on the final run.

Photo: Ivan Callanta Tiples

902 has left Tutuban and commenced it's journey into history.

Train Engineer: Wilson Batac

Photo: Mark Chua

Stopping at Del Rosa station..

Photo: Ivan Callanta Tiples

902/921 at San Pedro (Laguna).

Ignore the caption on the photos :-)

Photo: Jay-Ian Carlos A. Palacol

Our photographer is greeted with a friendly wave.

Photo: Jay-Ian Carlos A. Palacol

Just like that it is all over, with the train staff posing for another photo.

Photo: Mark Chua

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16/7/2023 Last Train From Binan.

After spending the night at Binan station, it is time for the early departure from Manila. A very wet end to another era of PNR.

921/902 heads north and into the history books.

Binan station has seen it's last passengers.

Photo: Jay-Ian Carlos A. Palacol

921/902 heads north and into the history books.

Binan station has seen it's last passengers.

Photo: Jay-Ian Carlos A. Palacol

'That's All Folks' 

921/902 sit in a very moist Tutuban station, having just arrived from Binan for the very last time.

Photo: Mark Chua

921/902 sit in a very moist Tutuban station, having just arrived from Binan for the very last time.

Photo: Mark Chua

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Video: A cabride to Espana on the former Binan passenger service.

Video: Riding the last Binan passenger from Alabang.
Video taken by Mark Chua

Video: Riding the last Binan passenger from Binan.

Thus ending an era.
Video taken by Mark Chua

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Thank you.

We would like to give a big thank you to Mark Chua, Jay-Ian Carlos A. Palacol, Ivan Callanta Tiples, and other members of the Philippine Railway Historical Society who shared this historic moment with us all.

Thanks also to the 'COMMEX SHED and Manila Shed Personnel' who prepared the trains.

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Philippine Railway Historical Society Website

Philippine Railway Historical Society Group

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DESCO ENGINEERING 2019 - PART 2

2019 - DESCO Part 2

Finally, here is the second part of the DESCO Engineering coverage.

 At the time of this trip, I would never have dreamed that it would be the last time I could return to the Philippines until 2022. We had been getting used to being back in the routine of at least one annual visit, sometimes two.

However, it was worth it given the generosity afforded us by DESCO and PNR.

Anyway, that guff is all quite irrelevant to the article.

While partaking in my twelfth visit, we were blessed with an invitation from the 'Philippine National Railways' to visit the DESCO Engineering factory in Binan Laguna.

For it was here that they were rebuilding my beloved U15C (yes it is a U15C, no matter what the rumour spreaders say) 902, along with sister unit 913, and we were able to photographically cover progress for historical reasons.

Part of the agreement of the visit was that the photos would not be used until after these two locomotives were finished. While they were completed, and back in service, some time ago, it was just recently that I confirmed the ability to share.

I am very excited to be able now to show the photos of this very interesting part of PNR locomotive history.

Due to the nature of these shots (they must be unaltered in any way), any desire to use 'needs' permission to be granted.  You can contact the 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' at the email address on each image with details of where, and how, you wish to use them and I can follow up with the relevant organisations.

Please try to respect their generosity in allowing us to bring this part of Philippine railway history to you.

DESCO Engineering 2019 - Part 1

Edwin (DESCO), Mark (PNR/PRHS), Rene (DESCO) and myself.

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Brad Peadon

U14C #913 at left.

U15C #902 at right.

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Brad Peadon

My baby getting the full treatment.

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Brad Peadon

Can't have a trip to the Philippines without catching up with PNR Flagship 902. A tradition since 1999. 

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Brad Peadon

Pilot of U15C 902.

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Brad Peadon

DXL-485 the DESCO shuttle bus.

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Brad Peadon

Mark checking out progress on 902.
DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Brad Peadon

U14C 913 taken from 902.

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Mark Chua

U15C 902.

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Mark Chua

Looking down the chassis, away from the cab, of U15C 902.

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Mark Chua

The Finished Product

U15C 902 approaches Pasay Road station with a passenger train from Alabang to Tutuban.

Photo: Brad Peadon

U14C 913 reflects on her long career with the Philippine National Railways.

Tayuman Locomotive Shed in Manila.

DESCO Factory - Binan Laguna

Photo: Brad Peadon

Part One Of The DESCO article.

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Thanks To:

The management of the 'Philippine National Railways', in particular former General Manager Junn Magno and Atty Ces Lauta.

The management and staff of DESCO Engineering (Binan, Laguna), in particular manager Rene and Kuya Edwin.

Members of the Philippine Railway Historical Society.

PRHS Website - Facebook Group - Twitter

Mark Chua (PNR, PRHS, GMA :-) )

Onyo Artocillo (B-I-L and Driver)

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Further reading:

902 - PNR Flagship returns home.

913 - Returns Home

914 - Transfer To DESCO.

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900 Class Appreciation Group

The only group dedicated to everything related to the 900s.

Note: Members will only be accepted if questions answered.

Note: This is a contribution-based group. Only contributors will remain members.

913 RETURNS HOME

 

We recently reported on the return of rebuilt 902 to PNR.
Not long after, it was time for 913 to follow.

Both are now in Caloocan Workshops for the final stage of the rebuild.

Our roving reporter Mark Chua was at Binan (Laguna) to witness this historic event.

Thanks Mark.