Rack Train Mirador

350-MR Caption: New Construction Rack Railway locomotive (Mirador). An additional coal bunker has been added to the back of the locomotive since this photo was taken.

The rack train was named after Mount Mirador, a mountain along the Aringay-Baguio Line.

Rail Lifting at Paco Station

Hanjin Construction at the Old Paco Station, April 5, 2008. Old tracks are being lifted. Note the remaining poor rails along the road. Click on images for larger view.
Bulldozer got stuck while lifting the tracks and removing mud.
How can PNR 5002 travel using the poor rails above? With lots of prayers. A PNR train was derailed on the same spot last month.
Brand new sleepers. Where are the new 50 kg rails?

Hondagua!

Click on images for larger view.
Hondagua station and Bagacay Harbor.
The MRR line to Hondagua was opened on May 27, 1916.
Hondagua is from the spanish phrase "hondo agua" which means "deep water".
Hondagua was once the terminal of the MRR main line south.
The eastern side of the station. Railroad tracks to the port along the coconut trees.
Philippine Floor Mill above was built within the MRR property.

More Hondagua pictures here.

Plaridel, Quezon Side Trip Part I

RIHSPI members went on a field trip to Hondagua, Lopez, Quezon last Saturday, March 22, 2008. While passing thru Plaridel, Quezon, a member noticed some interesting railway stuff near the train station.


While inspecting the train station, a speeding skate passed by carrying local residents. The team decided to take a trip to Unisan.
Typical rush hour. Simple rule, the skate with more passengers and cargo has the right of way.
Very light motorized skates!
Garage port, Plaridel style.
Beautiful scenery along the way.
Home along the riles Quezon style.
RIHSPI members enjoying the shade. MRR blasted thru these rocks in 1916.
End of the line for us. Did we found enough courage to cross this bridge? Please view video below:

Old Train Station of Atimonan, Quezon

The photo above is the old train station of Atimonan, Quezon near Barangay Inalig. One can reach the station by getting a motorized skate ride from Plaridel, Quezon train station. Train service in Atimonan started between 1914 to 1916 when the Padre Burgos to Hondagua line was constructed.

Manila Belt Line Railway Rehab

The rail rehabilitation of the Southrail started last Tuesday, March 4, 2008. The rehabilitation started near the historic Paco Railroad Station. The Manila belt line beside the Paco Railroad Station will celebrate its 100 years anniversary this coming March 25, 2008.


Finally, the contractors drained the stagnant water and provided new ballasts for the rails. The work above was done in just four days.


Hanjin workers took a break for this photo. The work is currently being supervised by Ricardo Baricante Jr.


RIHSPI member Bill Sullivan enjoying the afternoon with the workers.

The Railroad Photos and Books at the American Historical Collection

The members of the Railways and Industrial Heritage Society of the Phils., Inc. visited the American Historical Collection last December 15, 2007 to view railways and industrial heritage photographs and books. The collection is presently housed at the Rizal Library of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Rare railways and industrial heritage photographs never before published were examined by the members of the RIHS. Copies of the photographs were acquired for the society’s own collection and publishing works. The AHC’s rare railroad books like the Manila Railroad Company purchase papers, documents and correspondence were studied by the group. RIHS will prepare a bibliography of railroad books at the AHC together with other railroad books in different Philipine libraries. The list will serve as a guide for railroad independent researchers.

The above photograph is from the 66 Squadron Album of the American Historical Collection.

The American Historical Collection was established in 1950 through the initiative of United States Ambassador to the Philippines, Myron Cohen. He encouraged the American community to donate books and other materials pertaining to the first half of the 20th. The collection was formerly housed at the Thomas Jefferson Center at Makati and was moved to Ateneo de Manila University Rizal Library.

How to get there by light rail: The Ateneo de Manila University Campus is near LRT 2 Katipunan Station. If you are taking the LRT 1, transfer to LRT 2 at Doroteo Jose Station. If by MRT 3, transfer to LRT 2 at Araneta Center-Cubao Station.