Tayuman/Tutuban Photo Survey!

Hi everyone,
I am sorry to those who have been regularly coming back to find no new updates. Alas a rather big spurt of work has ensured I was kept away from the computer for extended amounts of time.
What little choo choo time I had to myself was filled with replies to the endlessly growing amounts of email correspondence. Even the email has been falling way behind with some still awaiting reply after many weeks.
Anyway a friend on another forum recently asked me some questions about the Tayuman and Tutuban yard. He is a modeler and wishes to know more about the layout of this yard, the structures and also the train operations.
This has inspired me to start a short photographic series based on shots taken over the last two visits.
The plan is to start these either on the weekend or early next week while things are a little more quiet.
If any readers have photographs, maps or any other general information please feel free to email me at the Philippine Railways SIG email address and I shall include this in the series, credited to you, for the benefit of all. Please help if you can.

Till next week.

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Philippine Railways Update! (May 2008)

Philippine National Railways

NEWS:
*** SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION ***
With the Northrail project seemingly foundering, it comes with great sadness today, a report saying that work on the linkage project has been suspended indefinitely due to problems with relocation.
This is obviously tragic news for the country, but also quite strange. With so much clearing already having been done, most of it in areas the line hasn't yet been upgraded, its a wonder they don't keep upgrading these sections while the relocation works in the other areas in completed.
What was going to be President Gloria's greatest legacy to her country, is shaping up to be her biggest failure to those people she represents.
The Carmona branch may have been reopened to service, but this is also awaiting confirmation.

SOUTHRAIL REBUILD:
Phase I (Caloocan to Alabang) - Clearing Reportedly Suspended!
*** Trains operating between Tutuban-Alabang-San Pedro-Binan.
*** Media reported a train from Carmona killing a 14yo girl at Sucat during May. This would suggest the San Pedro to Caromna branch has reopened. This is subject to confirmation.
*** Services suspended Binan-Legaspi.
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:
Despite advice that the project was to be proceeding full steam ahead, there has been little sign of work when visits were made.

NORTHRAIL REBUILD:
Caloocan to Malolos - Rebuild reportedly commenced full steam ahead January 2008.
Malolos to Clark - Rebuild reported to have commenced, no further advice.

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:
The Malagunlong Bridge in Tayabas, Quezon has been placed on the groups watchlist. It was built in 1840.
Paco station (proposed museum): No advice.

ROLLINGSTOCK:
Inspection tour made of rollingstock at Hondagua. One track car (speeder) identified for possible preservation.

GENERAL:
Efforts continue in order to be able to soon accept contributions and official memberships to the new society. Further details on this in future updates!

Locomotive Fleets

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

Thanks

Thanks to the following people and publications for information used in this update:
Jaime Tiongson
Harvey Smoller
Bill Sullivan
Wheel On Steel
Lubricated Flange Railway E-zine ( http://www.zelmeroz.com/lf)

The SIG would also like to wish a very speedy revovery to our mate Nick Buenafe!

Linkage Project: Latest Piccies!

Hi all,
These latest photos of the Linkage project were taken by Mithril Cloud.

They show an incredible amount of work occuring here, while reports from Northrail seem to suggest work still remains stalled.

Major work is currently being undertaken at Buendia station. While progress has been slow, it will be a very different looking station when complete.

Pasay Road is also getting a major facelift from the platform up!

While this doesn't show any station rebuilding, it does show track work through the ground zero of 'Conspiracy Theories' Paco.
Right behind the photographer was the location where the embankment had collapsed causing trains to lurch dangerously to the side. It is unknown if this was fixed during the work.

The Changing Face Of Blumentritt!

G'day,
A thread on Skyscrapercity has inspired one to prepare some piccies of Bluementritt from before the recent cleanup of the area.
The below photo by leechtat shows the area today, taken from the LRT station of the same name.

The following photos show the area in February 2007 nearly a year prior to the work above.

Blumentritt shanties on borrowed time!

South line leg of the triangle at Tondo taken after departure from Blumentritt.

Some of the locals living in these shanties. I often wonder where exactly they are now!

Where Is It?

G'day everyone,
Recieved this historical from the world famous 'Colonel' this morning.
Between copious amounts of Bundaberg Rum and Amsterdam Beer, he has been pondering the station appearing in this photo which is simply marked 'Cebu'.
My guess is Cebu City station, but as I am not an authority on the line I can't say for sure.
Anyone recognise this lovely building?

Brad

CONFIRMED: Cebu City Station! Thanks to Graham.