John Middleton's Trip Report.

Trip reports on the railways of the Philippines are an all to infrequent occurance. We really appreciate John Middleton taking the time to share his recent trip with us.

Please feel free to add any additional information etc in the 'comments' section!

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A short business trip to Manila over the period 19-23 January 2008 allowed a quick look at PNR operations which seem to be pretty much as previously reported (Continental Railway Journal 152).

There are two steam locomotives in faded plain black livery with PNR logo plinthed in reasonable external condition (although missing many parts, including all cab fittings) outside Manila station which seems to double as the PNR offices, there is also a chapel on the concourse ! The locos are;

DAGUPAN 0-6-0ST OC KS (a)

- 0-6-0T OC KS (b)

(a) No plates but previously reported as ex Manila Railway Kerr Stuart 1021/1907, originally named SANTO TOMAS, some parts are stamped 1007 which would actually make it CAVITE). This loco was formerly on display at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, the old Spanish city.

(b) Assumed to be ex Manila Railway CABANATUAN (KS 777 of 1905) although carries no identification

Shunting the station area was GE type U10B Bo-BoDE No. 5002. Coaching stock was a mixture of Japanese built de-motored diesel railcars and second hand coaching stock from JR East in Japan, trains appear to typically run as 4 coaches and are in very poor condition. Visible in the distance at the running shed were a further four locos but lack of time prevented further investigation.

Some 5.8 km to the north are Caloocan workshops, the line to the workshops is only used when there is a need to transfer locos or stock for repairs which appears to be rarely as the tracks were covered with people, stalls and makeshift homes although it does clearly see use which must cause havoc as everyone has to move out of the way. The workshops themselves are quite interesting with lots of old equipment. Access was freely granted, present were 21 locos in various stages of storage / dis-repair plus a number of coaches, little work seemed to be taking place although there were plenty of workers around. Locos seen were:

GE type U14C Co-CoDE: 906, 911, 913, 914

GE type U15C Co-CoDE: 903, 908 (the second loco to carry 908 reported as renumbered from 904), 920, 921

GE type U10B Bo-BoDE: 2510, 2515, 2518, 2535, 2538, 2539, 2540, 5001, 5003, 5004, 5006, 5008, 5010

Of these 908 is a derelict and stripped shell in the grass outside and 920 inside is missing its cab, all of the rest look relatively complete but very battered. Most were dusty and nothing looked as if it had moved recently. Staff said some locos had been scrapped during 2007 and these were probably some of the earlier 25xx series of U10B which were reported in March 2007 as written off (2504/22/28/36/37). Since PNR’s only income appears to come from the very limited suburban service on the line to the south, presumably the value of the scrap is some additional revenue.
Livery is mostly blue but 5010 is red, 903 and faded brick-red colour and 908 faded yellow.
Also at the works was the breakdown train mad up of former DMU cars (IC-888 + TA5 and Power Car MCBP 4). Other de-motored DMU cars and ex JR coaches were scattered around along with a derelict inspection car (Buda-22) and two derelict tampers and a crane.

The whole operation is incredibly ramshackle and rundown and clearly operates on the proverbial shoestring but everyone met was extremely friendly and access and photography freely allowed everywhere.

John Middleton1 February 2008

John Currey Collection!

This shot, taken on the 22nd of February 1986, is captioned as being at Binang. Not sure where that is, perhaps it is actually Binan (the current southern terminus).
Can anyone confirm?

The shot shows 911 on a southbound passenger service heading for Legazpi. It also shows some flatwagons in the background and a point indicator in the foreground.

Philippine Railways Update! (March 2008)

A roundup of where things are at, information gained from personal emails, various forums and newspaper websites. Contributions are always very welcome.

Philippine National Railways

NEWS:
** By early March a section of track (southbound at Paco) had been relaid and ballasted, the northbound line remained untouched.
The reason why this one little isolated section being done is unknown, however as Hanjin's worksite is reportedly here we can probably assume they are to work outwards for here in both directions.
No advice recieved on the proposed, and more logical, complete closedown of services for a proper rebuild. Perhaps they do not wish to cause the service interuption.

SOUTHRAIL REBUILD:
Phase I (Caloocan to Alabang) - Clearing Continues!
*** Trains operating between Tutuban-Alabang-San Pedro-Binan.
*** Services suspended Binan-Legaspi and San Pedro-Carmona.
Phase II (Alabang to Calamba)Southrail Project - Work yet to commence.
Phase IA (Calamba-Lucena)Phase IB (Lucena-Legaspi) - Work yet to commence.
Phase II (Sorsogon Extension Matnog) - Work yet to commence.

PLANNED LINES:
Calamba to Batangas line rebuild - Work yet to commence.

Northrail

NEWS:
Rebuild continuing, no further advice on developments.

NORTHRAIL REBUILD:
Caloocan to Malolos - Rebuild commenced full steam ahead January 2008.
Malolos to Clark - Rebuild commenced.

PLANNED LINES:
Cabanatuan Line - No advice.
Cagayan Valley - No advice.

Panay Railway

Work has yet to commence on any railway building on Panay!

Iloilo City to Roxas City - No Advice
*** There has yet to be movement in regards to anyone willing to finance this project.

Mindanao Railway

Work has yet to commence on any railway building in Mindanao!

Phase 1, Ist Segment (Cagayan de Oro-Iligan City
Phase 1, 2nd Segment (Cagayan de Oro-Gingoog City)
Phase 1, 3rd Segment (Iligan-Marawi City)
Phase 1, 4th Segment (Marawi City-Cotabato City)
Phase II (Surigao-Butuan)
Phase III (Davao City-Monkayo)
Phase IV (Zamboaga City-Dipolog City)
Phase V (Gagayan de Oro-Davao City)

Railway & Industrial Heritage Society

MUSEUM:
Apart from another site inspection of Paco no other advice forthcoming.

ROLLINGSTOCK:
No information on attempts to preserve rollingstock has been received.

Locomotive Fleets

Remain virtually unchanged since last reported on the Philippine Railways SIG website!

THANKS:
Thanks to Jaime and 'Wheels on Steel' for information contained in this update!

Caloocan Workshops Piccies!

The TRAINS.COM forum has a few good recent shots of Caloocan workshops for anyone interested.

Probably disappointing to note that little has changed since our visit there last year :-(

TRAINS.COM

Brad

John Currey Collection!

Here is a wonderful shot of shunting movements at Legaspi.
Look at the condition of the rollingstock, it is absolutely spotless.
An absolutely classic shot.

2518, Legaspi, Mon 24/2/86