Philippines And Spain To Build A Railway!

Spain is to spend US$340 million in a railway system, as well as a wind and power venture in the Philippines.
The announcement, made by Philippine Ambassador to Spain, Joseph Bernardo, does not outline where the railway portion of the investment would be made.
The finance would be an extention of pre-existing financial package.

Brad
Lubricated Flange Australasian Railway E-Zine!

Philippine Railway Preservation: Is Time Running Out?

Is time fast running out for achieving the goals of starting an operating railway museum, has the time long past already?


It is an interesting question. Many very wonderful pieces of rollingstock and lineside equipment have long gone from the railways of the Philippine National Railways and its predecessors.


There once existed a huge variety of steam/diesel locomotives and rollingstock, some incredible designs that just begged to be looked at. Today there are really only a handful of rotting steam locomotives left in various states of disrepair and three designs of diesel locomotive.


On the rollingstock front, incredibly, we fair a lot better. There are still numerous types of passenger vehicle in existence, although it would be fair to say that some, 7E a particular example, that are beyond economical repair and are teetering on the edge of oblivion.


Plenty of other exciting carriages still exist, amongst them PC2-86 (or Kalayan) car, the former presidential car once used by Marcos and the last few operational DMUs.


Freight stock also continues to have a large selection of preservable examples and it is amongst these that possibly one of the more important examples of preservable rollingstock exists.


What is likely the last fixed wheelbased freight vehicle (a small tank wagon exists at Caloocan, but it is doubtful this was used outside the workshop) existing in the Philippines resides off the track in the centre of the huge Tayuman/Tutuban yard.


At last report the demolision crew had arrived at Tayuman station and, as reported below, destroyed the old station. Other reports earlier in the year had said that the whole system was to close before the end of 2007 so formations/trackwork could be completely rebuilt.


While the closure has not yet occured, it must be close. Bringing with it will be the total end of need for all current stock, except possibly for works trains, and see items like this lone remaining boxcar just thrown away as being in the way of progress.


I have certainly made mention of this important relic to the new railway preservation group there but to date have recieved no reply on the subject of movement to ensure its safety. Perhaps if other readers start making their voices heard about it to the powers that be in the group they may listen.


Sadly my concerns regarding a very old small concrete 'ENGINE STOP' sign at Blumentritt went unnoticed and it is likely it has been trashed and gone forever. Lets hope the same fate does not await this boxcar, a wonderful link to the past years of the Philippine railways.



I feel there is still time, but time if fast running out. We are not talking years here, we are talking only months.
While much is gone, intense researching will help locate photographs, documents, perhaps even movie footage, that could help fill in the gaps. Train-simulator technology nowdays means that you can even recreate driving an old MRR steamer through Tarlac.
The project has a long way to go, they know it wont be easy, but they have the capability should they restrain the political gerbil, rebuild bridges and get on with the job.

I wish them well.

Unite for the Philippine railway hobby, together we can make it great.

Brad

Thanks!

Thanks to all two people who have contacted me about the future of this website and the 'Philippine Railways SIG'.

One comment really gave me some inspiration to get past the bollocks of recent times and continue on with what I have been doing. While 2 out of all recorded visitors is not much, one has to imagine there must have been some appreciation from the non-members of the SIG and publications that have asked for help with enquiries over the years.

This will of course be an endless thing and why should future people with an interest be denied access to information.

To the two people who cared enough to reply, thanks for making it seem worthwhile.

Back to normal programing of news, photos and thoughts.

Brad

Casualty Of Progress!

Tayuman station,situated on the road of the same name, marked the commencement of the extensive PNR yards approaching the once grand Tutuban railway station.

For a short while it even served as the main starting point for all trains headed south from Manila until a replacement, and somewhat dreary, Tutuban station was built to replace the beautiful original that is now a shopping mall.

The Tayuman station buildings were far from magnificent, a small ticket office and a open waiting area devoid of most expected conveniences. It was however a regular location to visit and the staff always friendly and helpful in the true Filipino way.

Upstairs was a narrow line of offices used by a number of PNR officials. One had to be sure to be out of their view when photographing, lest the wish to endure an extended interogation as to your reasons for wanting to take photos of their railways.

My most recent encounter with these managers was probably the most amusing. A rather serious looking chap comes down and demands I tell him what I am doing. After replying, he then asked if I had permission. I simply said 'yes' and he accepted this :-)

Recently the demo team moved in and removed all trace of this once important station from the face of the earth. Photos showing little more than an empty patch of dirt brought some sadness that change had caused this, but then without such sacrifice perhaps in another few years there would have been no more PNR to see.

Here are a few photos of Tayuman in her final months, both taken during February this year. Seen also in the photos are SIG members and good friends Bill (a fellow Aussie), Karel and Cesar.

All other Manila stations will suffer a similar fate as modernization replaces lovely old PNR designs with, apparently, more functional and interesting ones.

Thankfully we can remember them all in photos.

Brad

Change Of Page Name and The Future!

Hello,
Observant readers will have noticed a change in name for this news and history page.
While my 'Philippine Railways SIG' started the ideas of the 'Philippine Railways Historical Society' the new museum group starting in the Philippines have requested I don't use it anymore.
Out of respect for the president of that group, and given he is one of the few in the association that actually shows much for me, I have complied and changed the name.
This is an interim measure as I am wanting to close down both this blog and the entire Philippine Railways SIG. I am, however, giving it a 2 week cooling off period to make sure this is what is best. It is certainly not easy to rebuild 9 years of work should I change my mind later.
It certainly has been fun. I have learn't much and have made many new friends and some who I thought were. I used to enjoy the Philippines and was always in trouble off the asawa for planning the next trip before returning from the current one :-)
While it may be seen, indeed the comment was made yesterday, that I am just giving up to easily. It will allow me to concentrate on other areas and devote my time and money to them. Fiji is one area of great interest nowdays.
The railfan hobby has long been scattered with many people with little respect for anyone except themselves. We all run into one of them from time to time, sadly it was my time for ONE particularly bad example.
For now the PhilippineRailways Yahoogroup will continue to exist.

Thank you for your support of the Philippine Railways SIG over the years. I will update on decisions shortly.
Please throw your support behind the new museum project. No matter who sits on the board, the project is worthy of support of every Filipino.

Best wishes and early Merry Xmas
Brad