DORMITORY CAR

During efforts to start a preservation movement in the Philippines I started to look into the history of the various types of rollingstock that still survived and that which would warrant saving should the opportunity arrive.
Despite an interest in railways that has spanned over four decades, it was not until I started going to the Philippines that I looked beyond just locomotives and into that which they haul around.

The 'Dormitory Car', so called as it is used as one in Manila's main yard at Tutuban, is one of the more interesting carriages still to be found.

It is the last Metropolitan (United Kingdom) built carriage in the Philippines, as well as the last one with six-wheel bogies.
It appears to have undergone quite a lot of modification over the years and, despite some claims that it is the former 'Presidential Car' ABB-1, is actually quite longer and highly unlikely to have been extended.
While the 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' has a listing of Metropolitan cars in the UK, this covers far earlier than when this carriage was built.If you know any other information regarding this carriage, or any built by Metropolitan for the Philippines, please contact us via our email address.

This number, welded on the under-frame, may be the best bet we have for identifying the car.

A great start would be builders records, should any reader be in possession of such.
It looks to be 66-22, though the second number in not entirely clear.

The 'Dormitory Car' is unquestionably a very historic car and very worthy of preserving in the future.

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Have you anything you can add to this article?

Corrections - Additions - Updates are all welcome.

Further Reading

Metropolitan on Wikipedia
PNR Rollingstock Updates

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PART 1

The railway workshops in Caloocan is believed to have been built around the 1910s, or 1920s, with a refurbishment in 1989 (reopening in 1990). This refurbishment is thought to be mostly external, with signs of the original structure, most notably the round windows,  still being visible.


Photographer Unknown - From Defunct RIHSPI Group.

I first went to the workshops during a visit to Manila in 1999. At the time, my main interest was still in the locomotives, the obsession with Philippine rollingstock, and infrastructure coming in later visits. Each time I have returned to the country, I have made an effort to drop in and record what is there.
Late in 2018, I was made aware that the whole workshop complex was to be redeveloped for use as car stabling siding related to the new north line (currently being built), with the workshop being transfer somewhere south of Manila.
It was this news that spurred me on to, not only get as many last shots as possible, but to do this multi-part article covering the workshops over the last two decades.

The inspiration for this project, which will likely run over the next few months, is with immeasurable thanks (maraming salamat) to 'Philippine National Railways' General Manager, Sir Jun Magno. Mr Magno inspires with both a passion for the future, and for the heritage, of the local railways.
Thanks also go to the many members of PNR management and staff who have helped me over the years.

In coming parts, we shall look at the workshops, locomotives and rollingstock, listings and other items related to the workshop.

Can You Help?

We are seeking photos, notes and documents related to the Caloocan Workshops for adding in this project.
Did you work at Caloocan? Were you a visitor to the workshops?
Please email us, we would love to hear from you.

Kogane was undergoing an extensive refurbishment and would be released in the newest livery, along with a new glass that would allow the wire grills to become a thing of the past.

Probably the most important car in the workshop would be PC-286, President Marcos's 'Presidential Car'. Originally numbered 777, the 286 number reflects the date he was removed from power.
Today the car remains locked up, but internally it is empty. To date, not photos of the car in use have been found.

Machine Shop - January 26th 1972

TA-5, by this time she was the last survivor of her class.

Like the author, these were Australian made. :-)

Thanks to Dirk Paul Celoso, Mark Chua and Sir Jun Magno (PNR GM).

LRT1 - HISTORY BEING MADE

September 1st saw history made with the first piling works for the extension to Cavite. The work has started from Dr Santos Station in Paranague.
Updates on this exciting project are covered in the PRHS group.

LRT1/2 MRT3 Fleet Update - August 2019 - Free PRHS Publication
Available Now.

Photos: Courtesy of the 'Department of Transport - Philippines'

With thanks to: Ren Garcia.

SEMI RETIRED FOAMER TV

A channel devoted to transport (and occasionally other things) around the Philippines and Australia. New content added regularly, with much footage of the Philippines during the recent festive period.
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Salamat and enjoy.

First article inspection team from the 'House of Representatives', 'Committee On Transport' and PT INKA.

Checking out a new railcar being built for the 'Philippine National Railways'.

Photo: Courtesy of Mr Junn Magno (PNR General Manager)

OPERATION ADOBO #7

March 2017

Philippine Trip report.

A hastily cobbled together trip report on Manila.

NOTE: While the report does contain all the transport related guff that is expected, it is not solely a transport related publication.

VIEW TRIP REPORT

Bicol Express at Pasay Road station.