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. _ _
Showing posts with label Southrail Ragay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southrail Ragay. Show all posts
Ragay railway station is located in the municipality of Ragay, which is in the province of Camarines Sur (CamSur), in the Bicol region of the Philippines.
The station is part of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Bicol Line, which now connects Calamba in Laguna (from Manila until that section closed last year) to the Bicol region.
Historically, the Bicol Line provided rail services between Manila and various parts of the Bicol Region, including Ragay. However, services in this area were disrupted and have been suspended for a number of years, particularly after damage from Typhoon Reming in 2006 and subsequent infrastructure issues.
While, as of now transfers do seem to be possible, there has been no word on the returning of passenger services any time in the near future.
In recent years, there have been discussions and efforts to revive rail services in the Bicol region as part of the Philippine government's push to improve transportation infrastructure, including the potential restoration of the Bicol Express and the construction of new rail systems under the Bicol Railway Project.
For the most current status of railway services in the region, it's recommended to check with local authorities or the Philippine National Railways (PNR).
Are you interested in the fascinating sugarcane railways on the islands of Negros and Panay (Philippines)?
Also includes sugar and timber railways on Cebu & Mindanao.
We have started a new specialising in this topic, aimed at local historians, railfans interested in these railways, and people with a general interest in the industry.
Sadly the station has since been rebuilt and modernised, removing all the features that made the station so unique and leaving another dreary example of modernity.
Photo: Brad Peadon
North end of Ragay platform.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
The sea creature design in the window grill were just one of the unique parts of the station building.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Another fascinating design aspect of the station was awning supports that all had a palm tree like design.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Main station building.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Looking northwards along Ragay platform.
Photo: Brad Peadon
South end of the platform showing a hive of activity.
The local shops can be see to the far left.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Another unique feature of the station were these fish design name signs at both ends of the awning.
The less appealing modern replacement for that lovely old structure that existed in 2010.
Photo: Google Streetscape
Locals using what passes for passenger service even today.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The south end of the awning.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Ragay yard.
Photo: Brad Peadon
A local somewhat curious about the appearance of two Aussies in town.
Photo: Brad Peadon
Above and below.
Yeah, the awning was in a bad way at this stage. But I wonder what the cost difference would have been for a full heritage restoration compared that which replaced it?
Photo: Brad Peadon
Stairway down to station platform?
Photo: Brad Peadon
Presumably a former little sari-sari store on the platform.
Photo: Brad Peadon
The fish nameboard at the north end of the awning.
The Bicol Express has been an on again, off again, service for as long as I have been going to the Philippines. However, after a break of some years following an accident, the following article suggests that it is to again make a comeback. Heres hoping it lasts longer this time round. Train ride to Bicol ‘bumpy’ By: Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Juan Escandor Jr., Maricar Cinco - @inquirerdotnetPhilippine Daily Inquirer / 12:24 AM November 19, 2016
NAGA CITY—It was not a smooth ride for the inspection run of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) train that would ply the Manila-Naga City route by Dec. 15. The inspection train, made up of three coaches, left the Tutuban station in Manila at 5:15 a.m. on Friday, carrying PNR officials led by Joseline Geronimo, PNR officer in charge. The team had set out to reach Naga City in Camarines Sur province by nightfall Friday. But it was a slow ride as informal settlers, wet market vendors, trees and sections of houses along the PNR track blocked the route in Laguna province. Geronimo said the inspection was smooth until the train reached the Mamatid station in Cabuyao City, also in Laguna. “After Mamatid, there were some interactions, encroachments by informal settlers [near the rail tracks],” Geronimo said. The train had to stop at some point as PNR personnel remove debris, tree branches and trunks blocking the track or clear canopies of some houses. In Calamba City, “talipapa” (village wet market) vendors were asked to move out for the train to pass through. “We’ve fixed this issue (informal settlers) before but they just keep coming back. It’s one of the things we need to ask help from our local governments,” Geronimo said. “Like in Candelaria (town in Quezon province), nakiraan pa kami (We had to ask permission to pass through). In Los Baños (town in Laguna), the coaches [hit the ground] in some elevated portions,” she said. The train reached Lucena City at 11:30 a.m., stopping at the abandoned station. The PNR’s safety steel bar at the railroad crossing near the station and warning lights were broken. As of 5 p.m. on Friday, the train was in Tagkawayan town in Quezon. It was expected to reach Ragay town in Camarines Sur at 6:30 p.m. A portion of the railway bridge in Ragay that connects the villages of Apali and Apad is undergoing repairs, after it collapsed when a flash flood washed out one of its support foundations in March this year. Geronimo said the inspection team would alight from the coaches in Ragay and transfer to another train to bring them to Naga City. Ricarte Galopa, PNR security chief, said team members did not note any major safety issue along the route in Laguna and Quezon provinces. xxx “After the test run, an assessment meeting will immediately follow to discuss some critical areas along the Manila-Bicol route, particularly the conditions of the bridges,” Geronimo said. Geronimo said she would invite officials from local governments along the route to help the PNR solve local problems, particularly the clearing of houses along the tracks.
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.
