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. _ _
Calamba station is the latest in our series looking at railway locations back in 2009.
With the recent closure of the Alabang to Calamba section, it has now become the northern terminal for rail operations to Bicol. Not that you can actually catch trains all the way to Bicol yet.
Today this station has been removed and replaced with another horrid example of modernity. :-(
Calamba station, looking north towards Manila.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Sound end of the yard, looking south towards Bicol.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Mobile Caldereta.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Closer view of the previous Calamba station structure.
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above: The rear of Calamba station (on right).
Photos: Brad Peadon
Above: I guess this is a good indication as to why the station was rebuilt.
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.
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.
Welcome back to the latest in our series covering South line locations back in 2009.
This time we head back north a wee bit and visit the old shed at Calamba (the rest of the station and yard will be covered at a later date).
Since these photos were taken, the shed has undergone a massive refurbishment and no longer looks the same. See the video at the bottom of this article to have a glimpse at the current shed.
Calamba is served by infrequent daily services from both Manila and Lucena. However, official permission needs to be gained for a visit to the shed.
A modified, and very attractively painted BC-611.
BC = Boxcar
Photo: Brad Peadon (PRHS)
Inside the shed, the roof shows signs of the excessive weather often experienced there.
Photo: Brad Peadon (PRHS)
Eddie the Calamba shed pusa
Photo: Brad Peadon (PRHS)
Above: View out the south end of the Calamba shed.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above: Apparently translates into 'Not allowed to do the washing in the bathroom'.
Photo: Brad Peadon
TW-75 was the sole example of a tanker being used for holding water that I have seen around the 'Philippine National Railways'.
It is assumed that 75 was the number carried when used for its original intended purpose of carrying fuel.
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.
