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One Million Views... and Remarkably We're Still Here.
Well, here we are.
After 27 years of operating the PRHS website, we have finally rolled past the rather impressive milestone of one million views.
To be honest, it is a little difficult to comprehend. When I first put this website together all those years ago, I certainly wasn't sitting there thinking, "One day this little hobby project will attract a million visitors." In fact, I was probably just hoping the internet wouldn't crash every time I uploaded a photograph.
Over the course of nearly three decades, I couldn't even begin to estimate how many photographs, articles, news items, updates, historical records, and random observations have found their way onto these pages. The website has evolved into something far more significant than I ever imagined—a living archive documenting the extraordinary changes that have occurred across the Philippine railway scene since my first visit in 1999, and in many cases, preserving stories and images from years long before that.
It has certainly been an interesting journey.
There have been highs and lows. Wonderful people, generous contributors, lifelong friendships... and, naturally, a seemingly endless supply of individuals whose primary hobby appears to be making everyone else's hobby less enjoyable. Railway enthusiasm, it seems, attracts some remarkable characters. Unfortunately, not all of them are remarkable in a positive sense.
After many years of dealing with the usual drama, politics, personal attacks, and assorted nonsense, I found myself gradually scaling back what we do. Offline publications were wound down, regular updates became less frequent, and much of the non-railway content was transferred across to the Semi-Retired Foamer Media banner.
After all, there are only so many hours one can devote to documenting railway history before wondering why a small but determined group of troublemakers are investing so much effort trying to damage the reputation of the hobby itself. It remains one of life's great mysteries.
Despite this, the website has endured.
Following a quieter period, the last few years have seen a renewed focus on sharing the vast collection of photographs and historical material accumulated over decades of travel and exploration. Judging by the viewing figures, people seem to have responded rather positively to that idea. The growth in readership has been genuinely remarkable and, if I'm honest, quite humbling.
It is an incredible feeling to think that a hobby started nearly three decades ago has grown into something followed and appreciated by so many people around the world.
As we now set our sights on the next milestone—two million views, assuming I survive long enough to witness it—I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to the PRHS railway group and this website over the years.
The list is far too long for me to remember without inevitably forgetting somebody important, which would no doubt result in several strongly worded messages arriving shortly afterwards. Nevertheless, every contribution, photograph, article, historical record, and piece of encouragement has helped make the site what it is today.
Special thanks must go to my close friends Mark, Rey, and Arvin, who somehow continue to tolerate my endless railway obsessions and make it easier to keep everything running despite being separated by thousands of kilometres.
A huge thank you also goes to the many contributors who now support the transport groups operating under the Semi-Retired Foamer Media banner. Your efforts ensure that these communities continue to thrive and preserve important pieces of transport history that might otherwise be forgotten.
Looking ahead, I remain committed to documenting and sharing the fascinating story of Philippine railways. The history is rich, the stories are endless, and there is still much to uncover.
So, subject to continued good health, sufficient patience, and the occasional ability to ignore whichever hate group has decided to offend everyone this week, I look forward to many more years of preserving and sharing this remarkable history.
Even if the national railway operator, and government, seem less enthusiastic about us documenting it than we are.
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Philippine Railway Historical Society Website
Guide To Philippine Transport Groups & Websites V2
Our Sister group.
