THE BIG CHANGE - PT 1 - 2024

Whether or not you are happy about 'the big change', it has started and the coming years are going to see massive differences along the traditional 'Philippine National Railways' line from Manila to Calamba.

In 2023 we saw the section from Alabang to Calamba close and the removal process began. This action strangely left the system around Manila isolated, resulting in no way to rail out all the locomotives and rolling stock for use south of Calamba when that section closes at the end of March.

With April 1st (ironically) now looking like being the date the lines in Manila close, any items needed to be used for provincial services will have to be road-hauled south. This will be a mammoth undertaking.

We would like to cover this change, for the benefit of historians in the future, using our site to post occasional updates.

We are after photos and information covering:

1) Trains from January 1st 2024 to closure.

2) The transferring of trains after closure.

3) The removal of tracks, stations, and other infrastructure from Manila to Calamba.

4) The construction of the new elevated railway.

You will be acknowledged for your work, and contributions can be either sent by email or posted on the 'PRHS Group'.

 Operations are continuing in Manila, at a much reduced frequency, but after numerous false dates, the end of March is now looking to be the ultimate end.

Above and Below: PNR flagship 902 (U15C despite what others would try to have you believe) around the Triangulo / Blumentritt area.

Above: So much of this scene is expected to soon be gone.

The two rollingstock sheds, along with the control tower (signal box if you wish) will soon be eradicated in favour of the new railway.

Above: 9001 sitting in Tutuban yard, around the same spot I saw it back in September 2023.

It is believed that she has not seen use for some time. The reasons for this are not currently known.

Above: PNRs oldest locomotive at the southernmost station on the current system in Manila.

Alabang station is not all that old, having replaced the original station (around those trees in the background) as recently as 2010.

Above: The rear of Set 6 at Tutuban station.

Above: The rear of Set 2 as it negotiates the curve at Triangulo.

Above: A beautiful night shot of a scene soon to be no more.

Above: The new kids on the block will soon be no more a thing around the Manila railway scene,

Painting the PNR logo on the side of an EMU set.

INKA built DMU 8103 at Triangulo.

The changes in this area are already extreme, and are set to get worse.

Above: I was particularly taken by this lovely glint shot taken by Roberto Go. I am definitely looking forward to more photos from him in the future.

Correction Above: This photo was actually taken in Naga yard. Opps!

Above: A freshly painted Set 7 waiting at Tutuban station for its next turn of duty.

I would love to hear from anyone who has taken photos in the Alabang to Calamba section recently.

Sta Rosa station with the track already removed.

Sta Rosa Railway Office - Manila Standard

PNR To Cease Manila Operations In January 2024

Now to be on April 1st.

PNR Alabang - Calamba Trips Pause On July 2nd 2023

Our PRHS Roving Reporter Mark Chua

John Lawrence Andaleon, Roberto Go, Guillermo Karlo Angelo Juan III, Marc Edmund Khe, 

JJay Montesa, Peter Jiro Estaville Padila and Jay-Ian Carlos A. Panacol

'Philippine Railway Historical Society' Group.

Philippine Railway Historical Society

Calamba Station Commuter Group

Locally Run Page.

Lucena Rail Heritage Committee 

PRHS Managed For The LRHC.

Philippine Association of Rail Enthusiasts

Locally Run Sister Group Of The PRHS.

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Congratulations to Mr Romeo Caincol Sr on your retirement, from everyone at the 

'Philippine Railway Historical Society'.

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Seems the facts change with each different editor.

EMUs now DMUs

Gone from departing three weeks ago to due in July.

We are still awaiting the Phase 2 ROTEMs that reportedly left Korea two years ago.

Is Manila Bay the new Bermuda Triangle?

PNR’s ‘Bicol Express’ to resume running July 1

Quote:
NAGA CITY—More than four years since Super typhoon “Reming” derailed its commercial run from Manila to Bicol, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) is set to run again on July 1.

The PNR will run a six-coach train from Naga City to the Tutuban Station in Manila, and another from Manila to Naga City, said Constancio Toledano, manager of the South Railways’ Area 3 covering routes from Tagkawayan, Quezon to Legazpi City, Albay.

He said the trip would last less than 10 hours. Diesel-fed engines would pull the coaches.

A fare rate of P700-P800 would be charged for air-con sleeper coaches and at least P300 for the reclining seat coaches.

Toledano said there would be two air-con sleeper coaches: a 28-person capacity coach with a double-deck bed in one room and a 38-person capacity coach with two double-deck beds in one room.

He said there will also be two reclining seat coaches with a carrying capacity of 68 and 72 persons.

Another coach will serve as dining car for passengers, he said.

Toledano said the PNR would conduct two test runs on June 22 and June 28 before the July 1 commercial run.

He said it took the train nine hours and 50 minutes to reach Naga City from Manila during a test run on May 22 that carried top PNR officials, several journalists and guest passengers.

A return trip on May 23 took nine hours and 35 minutes, said Toledano.

Toledano said the PNR would expand its Bicol commercial run as soon as 10 motorized train cars and 40 trailer cars donated by the Japanese government arrive in July.

He described the motorized train cars as akin to buses with one coach attached to an engine and with accommodations for passengers. It pulls several other passenger trailer cars.

The current PNR train has a separate coach to house the engine which consumes more fuel than motorized train cars that are similar to buses in terms of fuel efficiency.

The arrival of the train cars from Japan would allow the PNR to service short distance routes, said Toledano.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/

~~~ 2010 - A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS ~~~

2010 has proven many a PNR sceptic wrong. Even I, just a few years ago, thought I was witnessing the end of a once grand system, a system that has deteriorated continually over a number of decades.

However the railway back then is a vastly different one to that which exists today as new projects and restoration work continues at a rapid pace.

The above shot was taken on both the first day of restoration of normal service to Sucat, as well as the reopening of the former down track allowing for a two track service again.
I was lucky enough (missed my plane back to Sydney) to ride in the cab of one of these first runs. Cab riding is often a fun experience, no matter what country yor in, but the stark difference around the Sucat area in less than 8 months had me more entertained than what the train was doing.

Only four months later we have these services extended to Alabang, a whole brand new station no less, we have trial runs to the rebuilt San Cristobal bridge, Calamba and, just a couple of days ago, the first train to run from Manila to Naga in nearly four years.
Truly cause for celebration - Great work PNR.

But it won't stop there.

New president depending, there is the full rebuild of the south to look forward to, along with its extension to Sorsogon. Then there is the occasionally talked about reopening of the Batangas, Sta Cruz and Panay railways.
This along with the Northrail project actually now quite a possibility, will make the next few years a very interesting period indeed.

We will be following it all here on the blog, the good and the bad.

MABUHAY

~~ PRHS LURKING IN LIGAO ~~

Membership officer Paul Hornby is caught enjoying the sight of 922 at Ligao, the first train at this station in nearly three years.

The CMC would be 366, the sole one south of Lucena and probably in the best condition of all her remaining sisters.

The date was the 4th of August and the photographer 'WheelOnSteel'.

~~ 918 UNDERGOING A TRANSFORMATION ~~

PRHS Board Member Paul Hornby is currently holidaying down in Naga.

While down there his lovely new asawa has been quite generous with the railway time allowing him to bring us this interesting shot of 918.

He has been told that it will be repainted into its original blue and red scheme.

Meanwhile the trapped 7A/NR class carriages are also getting a good going over in preparation for resumption of services.

Exciting times ahead, both for the PNR and the PRHS!