CALOOCAN WORKSHOPS 2009 REVISITED - PT1

A while back we had a series about the endangered railway workshops in Caloocan (Manila).

At the time, the workshops were in imminent danger of demolition to make way for a depot to serve the north line.

However, as of now the workshops are still there. Though this cannot be expected to be the case forever. 

Anyway, while partaking in the endlessly boring task of catalogue a mass of photos, I came across another large amount of workshops shots taken in 2009.

Given the interest in the last series, I thought I would chuck them up here for all and sundry to see.

As always, a huge salamat to the Philippine National Railways for their support in allowing me to cover this wonderful workshops.

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SCB-977 was historic in that it was the last bus (excluding mini vans) to remain in Philippine National Railways ownership.

Over many visits, this poor old girl was noted deteriorating badly, by our 2011 visit she was scrapped with only a few parts remaining.

An article on SCB-977 is here.

At the time it was thought it was the last existing PNR bus anywhere, however, more recent information has come to light that at least one went to MAC LINER and was observed still operating around this time. Indeed, it still wore pretty much the same livery.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Photo: Brad Peadon

Locomotive status and rollingstock inventory as of 2009.

While I have seen many lists outlining all existing locomotives and passenger stock, I never saw individual listings of surviving freight stock (except from back in the 80s).

This has made recording freight wagon history a little hard.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Clocking on and off for work.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Photo: Brad Peadon

Photo: Brad Peadon

Machine Shop - January 26 1972

Photo: Brad Peadon

5004 in the main shed at Caloocan.

Photo: Brad Peadon

NR-1 was undergoing a rebuild by the 'Sta Rosa Motor Works'. It was the prototype for a project that was to see many old 7A type carriages upgraded.

Sadly, while this carriage was completed, the project never progressed beyond this example. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

A track machine playing peek-a-boo.

Photo: Brad Peadon

NR-02 alongside the main workshop.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2004 alongside the main workshop.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2004 (14 53) alongside the main workshop.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7A-2004 alongside the main workshop.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Workhorse U15C #921.

Photo: Brad Peadon

908 (ex 904). Her working days are over and she has given many internal parts to keep her sisters alive.

Now she sits awaiting her turn with the gas axe.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Inspection car IC-888 has spent many, many, years sitting in the workshops disused.

On this visit we were treated to a look inside.

Photo: Brad Peadon

7C-104 undergoing work.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Philippine Railway Historical Society Forum

Philippine Railway Historical Society Website

PRHS Travel Blog

PRHS - Philippine Jeepney

DOUBLE DECKER SURPRISE

Can You Help?

A couple of days ago, PRHS Moderator Reynante came across this at a petrol station along the SLEX at Binan (Laguna). For the very geographically challenged, this is just to the south of Metro Manila.

Over the years, I have heard the occasional rumour of at least two old Manila Leyland Atlanteans possibly existing, neither of which have ever been confirmed.
  This one does look significantly different to the Atlanteans I have seen in photos and looks like it may have had significant bodywork at some stage.

Can anyone identify the bus, the maker and know of it's history or future.

Rey mentions that there does seem to be work getting done to it.

Please email us if you can help.

The above photos were taken by, and remain the property of, Reynante Bulaon.
Photo used with permission.
Thank you for sharing this terrific find.

Bus is currently located HERE in Binan.
Ironically, I went past this place just a few months ago.

PRHS - Philippine Transportation Group (Non-Rail)
Philippine Railway Historical Society Group.

Original Manila Leyland Double Decks.
Bus photos taken by John Ward.

Interested in Philippine Buses, Ferries, Jeepneys, Planes or Trikes?
Join the PRHS Philippine Transportation group.
Note that this group is not for railway chat.

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Readers: Please note that our Caloocan Workshops series will return soon.

There is far too much news going on in Manila at this time.

Philippine Railway Historical Society

Changes / Groups / Guff

  Yahoo  recently made an announcement informing the world that their long running Yahoogroup service would be ending later this year.
 This has not come as a major surprise, as the closure has been rumoured for quite some time now. However, while use of the platform has declined greatly, thanks to alternatives like Facebook, there are still a significant amount of groups that still operate there.

  The 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' is one of those groups. We originally started on Egroups in 1999, but became part of Yahoogroups when they were taken over. The Yahoogroup was significantly busy for over a decade, however friction within the group, coupled with the emerging Facebook group platform, has seen postings dwindle greatly. Today there is little more than a couple of posts a month, hardly justifying the group at all, but left due to the huge amount of stuff residing in the database there.

  It was this immense database of history that had me most concerned. There is a lot of information there that would disappear with the group, some of it shared by people who have passed away.

  It would just be unthinkable that it should be lost.

Thankfully, this worry has been removed. I have been able to download the entire database and have started the mammoth task of cleaning it all up into one semi-decent looking file.
As this process, which will likely take a couple of years, progresses, I will be sharing some of the more interesting posts on our PRHS Facebook group and Twitter account.

Also currently being saved is the bulk of photos and documents that have been downloaded into the group files sections. Again, it is hoped that these can be re-shared with people in the future.

After much though, and a few discussions, I decided to finally give in to the Twitter thing. I have had an account for a while, but never used it. So I find myself in new territory as I explore all that can be done with the new 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' account.
If you are on Twitter, please come and join us.

Over the years, the PRHS has expanded into a number of different areas. While still primarily a railway, and railway hobby, promoting group, there are many of us with wider interests.
Below are listed all these groups and websites.
The PRHS promotes both the Philippine railway hobby, as well as friendship.
Come join us.

Website
Blogsite
Facebook Group - Nearly 2000 members
Facebook Page
PRHS on Twitter - New and growing.

Philippine Transportation Group
Road - Air - Sea

Buses - Ferries - Planes - Taxies - Jeepneys - Trikes

Philippine Railfans Into Overseas
Railways Group
Discussions about railways outside the Philippines.

PRHS - Philippine Jeepney

Anything related to the endangered "King Of The Road"

Philippine / Australia Aviation Fans
Topics pertaining to Philippine and Australian aviation

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We also recommend the following 
closely related groups.

Philippine Association of Rail Enthusiasts (PARE)
Our locally based sister group.



PH Model Railroaders
The Philippines leading model train group.

Lucena Rail Heritage Commitee

Our friend down in Lucena City.


Meycauayan Railway Precinct
A local joint-venture with the PRHS.

For nearly 21 years we have strived to make a truly great Philippine railway hobby. There have been many ups and downs, but we battled on and still we grow.
We may be fare-welling an era with the demise of our Yahoogroup, 
but we still have many great times ahead.
Mabuhay!