MARK'S NORTHERN ADVENTURE PART 3

 

Again, our roving reporter, Mark Chua, has headed out searching for some of the Philippines rich railway history.

This time, he set off north for an overnight journey to San Fernando (La Union), where an early morning arrival saw them following the long closed railway line back towards Manila.

As always, we thank Mark both for his passion for the railways of the Philippines, but for his generosity in sharing it with us.

This is the second part of a multi-part series looking at what he saw.

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DAMORTIS - Opened 1938

Superseded the original station, thenceforth named 'Old Darmortis' which was built in 1908.

Damortis Station during the war. 

Photographer Unknown. Mark Chua Collection

Damortis station in 1945.

AP Photo via Gorio Belen

MANGALDAN

DAGUPAN PART 1

PRHS Member Benjamin Saga shared this family photo taken at Dagupan Station in 1983. The railcare is CMC-383.

1907 Timetable via Gorio Belen

The Journey Towards Forgotten History

Part 1

Part 2

Philippine Railway Historical Society Group

Since 1999

Lucena Rail Heritage Commitee

Rehabilitate Panay Railway

SPOTLIGHT ON THE CMC/CTC

 

Brad Peadon (PRHS)

A brief look at the once numerous CMC/CTC railcars that were once so common on the Philippine National Railways.
Back in 1999, when I first visited the Philippines, there was one remaining operational set being used around Manila. I got to see it, but sadly not photograph, at Espana station, having terminated there on a run from Caloocan (2nd station, north side of Samson Road).
At this same time, they were very commonly seen on loco hauled services to Alabang and, quite likely, Calamba and Carmona as well.

At this stage they were in their declining years and, by the time I returned in 2004, had started to drop greatly in numbers of serviceable units. They were all locomotive hauled by this time.

By 2010, all that remained were some examples in perway use (dormitories, rerailments) and a few ones that were well beyond economical repair.

CMC-201 was one of only two of her type built.
This being in 1976.
Tayuman locomotive depot - Brad Peadon

In 2020, it is only the perway use ones that have survived.

CMC-201 - Manila

CMC-366 - Naga

CMC-382- Hondagua

Of these, CMC-201 is the sole remaining double ended motor car, of which there were two, while CMC-382 appears to spend its time in Manila nowadays.
If you would like to learn more about Philippine rollingstock, the PRHS occasionally publishes free updates covering the subject 'HERE'.

CMC-386 sits off her bogies in Tutuban Yard 

Brad Peadon

CMC-372 Espana, enroute to Tayuman.

Brad Peadon

CMC-380 Caloocan Workshops.

Brad Peadon

CMC-387 Tutuban Yard.

The last CMC to be built, delivered in 1980.

Brad Peadon

CTC-153 Tutuban Yard.

This CTC is one of the earlier batch from 1976

Brad Peadon

CMC-372 Tutuban Yard.

Brad Peadon

CTC-176 Tutuban Yard.

Brad Peadon

CTC-168 Laon Laan, enroute to Tayuman.

Brad Peadon

CMC-369 Laon Laan, enroute to Tayuman.

Brad Peadon

CTC-167 Tutuban Yard.

'Manila Shed - Rerailment Gang'

Brad Peadon

CMC-372 Laon Laan, enroute to Tayuman.

Brad Peadon

CLASS	NUMBERS	BUILT	BUILDER
CTC	151-164	1976	Toyu Trading Co - Japan
CTC	165-176	1980	Mitsui & Co - Japan
CMC	201-202	1976	Toyu Trading Co - Japan
CMC	343-348	1974	C. Itoh & Co - Japan
CMC	352-364	1976	Toyu Trading Co - Japan
CMC	365-387	1980	Tokyu Car Mfg Co - Japan

CMC-370 at Tutuban.
Photo: John Ward

CMC-374 was noted derelict at Caloocan in 2010 and believed to have been scrapped by 2011.
Photo: John Ward

CMC-376 at Buendia.
Photo: John Ward

CMC-382 at Caloocan.

The number on the side is incorrect, with the '2' 

somehow having gone missing.
Photo: John Ward

CMC-383 at Caloocan.
Photo: John Ward

Can you help?
We are seeking photographs of CMC cars from the first two batches, that's CMC-364 and lower in number, for a bigger rollingstock project.
Please email us if you can help.

Thanks to: Mark Chua and John Ward.