I'm really surprised to see a lot of lines... I never heard of them, really. I'm glad and at the same time surprised because you know a lot considering that you are a foreigner.

Do you have any knowledge as to why these trains have all been abandoned?

Well, the last time I've seen a train passed by the San Pablo line is around 4-5 years (or maybe longer) ago.. and the last time I heard a train passed by is around 3-4 years ago.. That is when the train was involved in an accident where it hit a crossing jeepney and killed most of its passengers. (there is a rumor that the said train is being used in an movie shooting or something like that).

San Pedro Station? I don't have any pictures of it but I'll check it out when I get back there.. I can't recall if that station is near the city proper or near the wet market. Anyway, have you seen the Pacita Complex Station?

Hi,
Sorry I mean't photos of San Pablo station. Often get these two mixed up :-)
There has been times that the line has been without traffic for extended period. The most recent one (prior to the current suspention) was when that sad derailment happened and saw the train roll down the embankment.
This was a couple of years ago now I suppose and on resumption saw one train each way in daylight hours.
Despite this being a better schedule for tourist traffic they reverted to the overnight service again and continued like that until the typhoon.
I haven't seen the Pacita Complex station. To date I have only seen each station from Caloocan to Alabang, Moncada, Angeles, Calamba, Iloilo (whats left), Lapaz, Roxas City (whats left) and Legaspi.
The next trip we are hoping to hire a van and follow all the south lines which will ensure I have been able to see each of them.

Best wishes
Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways

I'm really surprised to see a lot of lines... I never heard of them, really. I'm glad and at the same timed surprised because you know a lot considering that you are a foreigner.

Do you have any knowledge as to why these trains have all been abandoned?

The easy answer would be to tell you to look at the comment underneath your avatar on each of your posting! :-)

It is govenment disinterest in the railways. The current Philippine National Railways is not in the rotten situation its in due to bad management, its due to no investment.
They have ideas and plans but the government just won't come up with the Pesos needed to get it where it needs to be. The government is happy to sit there and whinge on about how the railways cost them money and run at such a terrible loss, yet they are the ones mostly behind it.
I suspect Northrail will show the government how a railway should be run. They will have the much needed freight dollars to make it viable. Ultimately it is all down to freight, passenger trains rarely make a railway truly profitable.
A country like the Philippines desperately needs its old railway system back. One day you may get a president who actually truly cares enough about their country and people to make the hard decisions needed to give it back to you.
Gloria loves popularity, sadly popularity wont get things to where they should be :-(

Anyway I feel better after that little spat :-) This sort of truthful posting is always blocked on the www.gov.ph forum :-)

Regards
Brad

^well, yeah. certainly it's the government's lack of interest in railways. I think the Philippine Presidents since time immemorial and all politicians too are just interested in building roads. Well, the money is in the roads you see. Kickbacks are high there. I'm glad that at least, this administration is still interested in building those MM lines, though in a very slow pace. Nonetheless, I'm glad that there's a bit progress. Let's just hope that things would do run fast.

^well, yeah. certainly it's the government's lack of interest in railways. I think the Philippine Presidents since time immemorial and all politicians too are just interested in building roads. Well, the money is in the roads you see. Kickbacks are high there. I'm glad that at least, this administration is still interested in building those MM lines, though in a very slow pace. Nonetheless, I'm glad that there's a bit progress. Let's just hope that things would do run fast.


I have to admit that I am glad to see some positive progress and we can always hope it dosent just stop with the mainlines.
Back in 1998 when I forst became interested in your railways I was taking lots of photos just in case they totally folded. In 2004 it looked very sad with the amount of services cut in half and lines shut.
We are now seeing a change that may even see the Panay line rebuilt and possibly extended.
Lets us work to promote this growth for the Philippines.

Brad

haha. It's ok. Anyway, I'll try to find a photo of our station. I might take a photo of it by myself but will ask someone to accompany me.. Better be safe than sorry. :D

Just wondering.. Is there a previous Railway line in Mindanao?

The easy answer would be to tell you to look at the comment underneath your avatar on each of your posting! :-)

It is govenment disinterest in the railways. The current Philippine National Railways is not in the rotten situation its in due to bad management, its due to no investment.
They have ideas and plans but the government just won't come up with the Pesos needed to get it where it needs to be. The government is happy to sit there and whinge on about how the railways cost them money and run at such a terrible loss, yet they are the ones mostly behind it.
I suspect Northrail will show the government how a railway should be run. They will have the much needed freight dollars to make it viable. Ultimately it is all down to freight, passenger trains rarely make a railway truly profitable.
A country like the Philippines desperately needs its old railway system back. One day you may get a president who actually truly cares enough about their country and people to make the hard decisions needed to give it back to you.
Gloria loves popularity, sadly popularity wont get things to where they should be :-(

Anyway I feel better after that little spat :-) This sort of truthful posting is always blocked on the www.gov.ph forum :-)

Regards
Brad

haha. nice one brad! though I won't blame everything to the president.. Blame the other politicians as well.. I agree with XP.. the money is indeed in the roads.. At least, there is a growing interest in rehabilitating and developing the railway system. :)

I thought the islands of Panay and Negros has/had a railway line...

Thanks for the info @alcogoodwin... I grew up in Lucena City near Perez Park/PNR station... During my childhood, I noted one common practice of PNR personnel is when a colleague passes away, they would sound the train's horn for about a minute... I wonder if they still do it today...

Me and my friends would also call freight trains "markansia" --- I didn't know who coined it and why...

Pics of Lucena Station (from Lucena Thread):
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1074/pnrgt8.jpg
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/5494/pnr2uh9.jpg

[QUOTE=Lucentino;13407002]I thought the islands of Panay and Negros has/had a railway line...

Thanks for the info @alcogoodwin... I grew up in Lucena City near Perez Park/PNR station... During my childhood, I noted one common practice of PNR personnel is when a colleague passes away, they would sound the train's horn for about a minute... I wonder if they still do it today...

Me and my friends would also call freight trains "markansia" --- I didn't know who coined it and why...

Pics of Lucena Station (from Lucena Thread):
[QUOTE]

Hi Lucentino,
Much thanks for your post. I was unaware of the horn sounding thing, it always great to learn new aspects of the PNR.
Lucena sure has a beautiful station. Shame it looks like the awning may be in a bit of trouble looking at those supports.
After seeing the recent destruction of Caloocan station I do worry about the future of all these historic buildings as the North and South rail projects push through.
Yes both Panay and Negros had railways. Negros were all industrial types for sugar haulage (some still exist) etc. When it comes down to industrial and light type railways you could list many other islands that also had railways (Cebu, Masbate, Corregidor, Mindanao, Leyte etc etc).

Regards
Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

haha. nice one brad! though I won't blame everything to the president.. Blame the other politicians as well.. I agree with XP.. the money is indeed in the roads.. At least, there is a growing interest in rehabilitating and developing the railway system. :)


:)
In all fairness to President Gloria she is at least finally allowing something to be done about it. I hope she remains in power for a while yet to ensure these things come through and are not just scrapped by another president.
It is the disinterest in many who came before her that is really to blame.

Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

I'm glad and at the same timed surprised because you know a lot considering that you are a foreigner.


XP,
It isn't that surprising. I have met a 'LOT' of foreigners who, like me, love your country and all the people in it.
We would much rather be there than sitting where we are at this moment.

Philippines Mahal Kita! :-)

Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

The Mindanao Lumber Company in Zamboanga operated a 3'6" timber railway using a Shay locomotive built in 1928.
One would uess the operation is now long closed and the loco, as sad as it is, has been scrapped.
The Shay locomotive was a wonderful looking thing and quite rare nowdays.
http://www.shaylocomotives.com/

The Mindanao Shay can be seen at:
http://www.shaylocomotives.com/data/dataframe.htmJUst choose sn-3321.

There was also a Findlay and Millar Lumber Co in Kolambugan which used three of these shays and a 0-4-4-0 steamer from Australia.
You would no doubt find photos of these by looking at the above site and choosing
sn-3234
3305
3310

I would guess other railways existed on MIndanao besides these two.

Brad

^I'm really glad to hear that. You have my moral support then, since I don't have the money or any resources that I could give you.

So you said that other islands has also trains? I'm not aware of that and was also quite surprised when you said Mindanao, Leyte, MAsbate and Cebu... So could you explain on that topic further?

Thanks,
XP

^I'm really glad to hear that. You have my moral support then, since I don't have the money or any resources that I could give you.

So you said that other islands has also trains? I'm not aware of that and was also quite surprised when you said Mindanao, Leyte, MAsbate and Cebu... So could you explain on that topic further?

Thanks,
XP


Hiya XP,
Moral support is fine :-) I'm just happy that people feel its a worthwhile cause.

The railways on these islands are/were all for industrial purposes and quite often of a gauge less than the PNR.
Sugarcane was the most common, while timber products once provided a lot of jobs for these interesting systems.
You also have mining operations. Up north of Luzon at Benquet the gold mine still uses rail and actually provides tours for visitors. This is something I have long wanted to do.
Masbate had only one system that I have heard about, this being a mining operation. I am unsure where on Masbate this was but would be interested to know as my wife came from there and we will certainly be back.
In more recent times I have heard that some of the lines on Leyte may actually still be used. This is subject to confirmation by a visit.
Panay also had numerous cane railway operations seperate to the Panay Railway operation.

If only all these things still existed. Honestly there has been so many that it would be hard to visit each location to see what is left.

Best wishes
Brad

http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~Philrail/panai5.jpeg
http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~Philrail/panai2.jpeg
http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~Philrail/sP3300144.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/chymera00/iloilocitypics/Label.jpg
^^Still a dream.

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/IMG_1300.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_1241.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/IMG_1283.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/IMG_1239.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_1264.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/IMG_1221.jpg

All Photos by Yves Eli Yu --> www.dphotography.org

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/IMG_1300.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_1241.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/IMG_1283.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/IMG_1239.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_1264.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/IMG_1221.jpg

All Photos by Yves Eli Yu --> www.dphotography.org

Lucena and Legaspi's PNR station has a similar finish... looks like the architech was the same...

:)
In all fairness to President Gloria she is at least finally allowing something to be done about it. I hope she remains in power for a while yet to ensure these things come through and are not just scrapped by another president.
It is the disinterest in many who came before her that is really to blame.

Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

Yeah. That something I like about her. Since her ascension to power, Real Estate and Infrastructure boomed. Hopefully, this "boom" will continue (despite the possibility of having a Opposition ruled senate.). She still has 3 more years in power and hopefully the next president will continue her projects and continue improving the country.

The Mindanao Lumber Company in Zamboanga operated a 3'6" timber railway using a Shay locomotive built in 1928.
One would uess the operation is now long closed and the loco, as sad as it is, has been scrapped.
The Shay locomotive was a wonderful looking thing and quite rare nowdays.
http://www.shaylocomotives.com/

The Mindanao Shay can be seen at:
http://www.shaylocomotives.com/data/dataframe.htmJUst choose sn-3321.

There was also a Findlay and Millar Lumber Co in Kolambugan which used three of these shays and a 0-4-4-0 steamer from Australia.
You would no doubt find photos of these by looking at the above site and choosing
sn-3234
3305
3310

I would guess other railways existed on MIndanao besides these two.

Brad

Old School! :D I wonder where are those trains now?.. It will be nice if they will put on a museum or something. Anyway, I think there are some news that the government will put up a railway system in Mindanao. I hope it will push thru..

Old School! :D I wonder where are those trains now?.. It will be nice if they will put on a museum or something. Anyway, I think there are some news that the government will put up a railway system in Mindanao. I hope it will push thru..

Sadly they all appear to be scrapped. Given metals worth things don't seem to last to long.
Heard a story last night of steam locomotives sitting in a yard in Indonesia. Many had be earmarked for preservation and even had this written on the side.
Sadly as metal prices went up the theives got in and started cutting them up and selling the metal for scrap.
PNRs Caloocan workshops can't park fixed locomotives outside the workshops overnight as theives are now getting in and stealing the wire out of the traction motors. They had a massive pile of traction motors there that had the wire stolen.
It is similar thieving that has made it better to close sugar lines on Negros. When each season was about to start they would find the track had been taken in places.
Yep I believe the government is awaiting some sort of interest in financing the Mindanao railway. Like the Panay railway I am unsure that many are jumping at the chance to finance it though.

Best wishes
Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/steelhaven_ee/LocoShed.html

[

All Photos by Yves Eli Yu --> www.dphotography.org


Some great photos of that beautiful old Legaspi station. I hope they choose to keep it when they rebuild the line. Thanks for sharing them.
Its interesting that all around Legazpi there is the spelling of the name either with a 'z' or an 's'. Seems to be 50/50 in which way people choose.

Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/steelhaven_ee/LocoShed.html

^^Still a dream.

More great photos. Those railcars are fantastic, what a shame they are likely long scrapped.
That station shot looks like it is Roxas City. All that magnificent awning is now long gone but the building itself, along with the writing, still exists.
I was able to see the side this photo was taken but couldn't get around to the other. Locals told me that its used as a hostel now. They were also somewhat concerned about rumours the railway was coming back and would meen the removal of their new houses.
From what I understand the Panay plans would see it terminate outside of the actual city.

Thanks
Brad
Philippine Railway SIG
http://www.geocities.com/steelhaven_ee/LocoShed.html

Yeah. That something I like about her. Since her ascension to power, Real Estate and Infrastructure boomed. Hopefully, this "boom" will continue (despite the possibility of having a Opposition ruled senate.). She still has 3 more years in power and hopefully the next president will continue her projects and continue improving the country.

Hi there,
This is the worrying thing. There has been so many projects that would have been wonderful for the country that successive presidents have scrapped. Supposedly this is due to a 'Its not my idea' mentality.
They would rather put their own image and personal projects above the good of the people they represent. It is so very sad.

Brad

I just hope the rehabilitation of Panay Railways, Northrail and Southrail and other railway projects will start soon or before GMA steps down in 2010.. :)

I just hope the rehabilitation of Panay Railways, Northrail and Southrail and other railway projects will start soon or before GMA steps down in 2010.. :)


While I think Northrail and the linkage project will continue regardless (although she recently mentioned only about 12 months for the later), I do worry about the Panay Railway and quite possibly Southrail when she steps down.
Hopefully Southrail will be well underway, but even now Panay looks shakey with nobody going out of their way to invest in it.

If they all happen I will be breaking out a bottle of Tanduay's finest :cheers:

Brad

Also worthy of preservation when the time comes.


http://www.travel-images.com/phil33.jpg

I think southrail is pretty safe. Panay well that's another matter altogether.

hay nako., problema nanaman.


Makati court junks Northrail motion


By DJ Yap
Inquirer
Last updated 08:36am (Mla time) 06/06/2007


MANILA, Philippines – The legal dispute over the controversial North Luzon Railways Corp. contract is far from over.

A Makati City court has junked the motion to dismiss filed by the defendants, including the Philippine government, in the civil case involving the contested Northrail contract.

Judge Cesar Santamaria of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 145 dismissed the motion filed by Northrail seeking to dismiss the complaint filed by a number of affected Bulacan settlers, and a group of lawyers led by Harry Roque.

At the center of the dispute is a contract between the government-owned Northrail and the China National Machinery and Equipment Corp. for the construction of railways from Caloocan City to Malolos, Bulacan.

“The ruling shows that the only working institution in this country is the courts. It’s a very good decision,” Roque told the Inquirer by phone.

The civil case arose from the alleged legal and constitutional defects in the contract, which the lawyers said were enough to invalidate the contract.

Such defects include the complainants’ allegation that the contract did not comply with Philippine laws requiring public bidding for all procurements.

On March 17, 2006, Santamaria’s court granted the complainants’ prayer to hold preliminary summary hearings in the case but the defendants, including the Philippine government, moved to dismiss the case.

The defendants had argued that the complainants had no legal capacity to sue, that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the case, that the complaint stated no cause of action, and that the court had no jurisdiction over CNMEC, an agent of China.

CNMEC also filed a separate motion for reconsideration seeking the reversal of Santamaria’s decision to hold summary hearings.

But in its omnibus motion dated May 15, the court denied both motions.

It said the plaintiffs could sue because they are taxpayers who may question any government action involving the expenditure of public funds.

The court said the case involved matters of “extreme urgency” since it involved public spending and the demolition of the settlers’ homes.



Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=69770

hala.. formal settlers ba ang pinaalis?... di ba informal settlers... and they don't pay realty tax... sales tax siguro oo... income tax.. hmm..yung ilan lang siguro...

kakapal ng mukha nila ma-demanda! "informal" settlers nga lang sila eh., mag-pasalamat pa silang may relocation site sila!

siguradong back-up iyan ng mga pulitiko., para sirain ang northrail.

Ay naku, this is a actually opposition to the project in the guise of a lawsuit. Obstructionist na lang iyan. I hope maayos at makatakeoff na tong project ng tuloy tuloy.

buti pa yung mga taga samin sa sta mesa., mukhang hindi naman nag-iingay kahit backer nila yung mga front ng NPA.

Oh my, gulay. Ano na naman ito? For that magsquatter na lang tayo tutal pinoprotektahan naman ng batas. as for that CNMEC contract ano bang onerous dun? Feeling ko maiirita na lang ang China nito at aalis. Ilang taon nang hindi nasisimulan itong project na ito. Gusto yata nilang magtiis na lang tayo sa lumang tren. For that itali natin sila dun. Asar. :rant:

Has anyone on the group had a look over this work and its project?
When we stopped at Caloocan station in March there was absolutely nothing happening.
I have heard some similar reports in recent times.
Has there been any updates on where the work is currently at?

Thanks
Brad
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

^it was supposed to start a few years ago but some silly politicians, lawyers and informal settlers sued cases against the Philippine Government. Now, the court seems to be favoring it. :rant: Oh dear. I think we have to build illegal structures in other people's lands. After all, the law seems to be allowing and encouraging it. :rant: and I still don't get it. What's so illegal about Northrail? Public bidding is not used in government-to-government agreements, right?

Has anyone on the group had a look over this work and its project?
When we stopped at Caloocan station in March there was absolutely nothing happening.
I have heard some similar reports in recent times.
Has there been any updates on where the work is currently at?

Thanks
Brad
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

what i know is., the southrail is the one to start rehab this june., if all goes well, this one could overtake northrail.,

@XP., hindi kasi ata dinaan sa bidding ang northrail., pero ang alam ko eh agreement yan., and doesnt need a bidding., mejo mahina ako sa ganyang usapan eh.,

Napadaan ako sa Caloocan. Malinis na ang riles at nasa kalagitnaan na sila nang pag aayos nang project na ito. :)

hala.. formal settlers ba ang pinaalis?... di ba informal settlers... and they don't pay realty tax... sales tax siguro oo... income tax.. hmm..yung ilan lang siguro...

kahit pa ata formal settlers, basta humingi ang gobyerno ng right-of-way, wala silang magagawa..

@maka mandag..., oh., so they're already doing the project? as in? wow.! good news! :)

^Mula UE Caloocan papunta sa site nang project(right) ay sinisimulan na pero sa left side naman patungong Manila:)) Malabo pa. Ang daming squatters :)

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1230/mapzv9.png

Sana naman maayos na yang gusot sa Noth rail, napanood ko nung June 1 sa NBN 4 ung ground breaking ng South Rail (Caloocan to Laguna?). The ground breaking was led by GMA and Korean Ambassador to the Philippines. 1 year lang daw itatagal nung construction and rehabilatation sabi ni GMA kaya by next year daw ng June 1 andun daw sha ulit para i-inagurate ung south rail. Sana wala ngmaging problema :banana:

^^ ah., so nag-start na., kaya pala nung May palang eh umaalis na mga squatters sa sta. mesa., once i get back to school next week, i'll try to take some pics if anythings happening in southrail. :)

@makamandag., good to hear its already moving., :)

Ay naku dapat lang nga. Mahirap na nga makahanap ng investor tapos ginagago pa natin. Mga Pilipino talaga di na makabago para sa kabutihan ng lahat.

Teka what was that news that last october they were supposed to start digging already maybe in bulacan it's already starting di kaya.

Sana naman maayos na yang gusot sa Noth rail, napanood ko nung June 1 sa NBN 4 ung ground breaking ng South Rail (Caloocan to Laguna?). The ground breaking was led by GMA and Korean Ambassador to the Philippines. 1 year lang daw itatagal nung construction and rehabilatation sabi ni GMA kaya by next year daw ng June 1 andun daw sha ulit para i-inagurate ung south rail. Sana wala ngmaging problema :banana:

Hi guys,
Sorry for being a bother but I am wondering if someone could translate this report on the LInkage project into english for me please? I am following this all with great interest.

Thanks and best wishes
Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

^^ Here is an approximate translation. Its not exact but this should help...

I hope they fix the twisted situation of the North Rail. I saw in NBN 4 on June 1 the ground breaking of South Rail (Caloocan to Laguna). The ground breaking was led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Korean Ambassador to the Philippines. They say the construction and rehabilitation will take one year. So President Arroyo said by June 1 of next year, she will be there to inagurate the South Rail. I hope there are no problems... :banana:

^it was supposed to start a few years ago but some silly politicians, lawyers and informal settlers sued cases against the Philippine Government. Now, the court seems to be favoring it. :rant: Oh dear. I think we have to build illegal structures in other people's lands. After all, the law seems to be allowing and encouraging it. :rant: and I still don't get it. What's so illegal about Northrail? Public bidding is not used in government-to-government agreements, right?

Its enough to make you wanna :cheers:

It defies belief that people could move in and set up on railway owned land and then sue because they are asked to move. But then everyone in the world sues for anything now.
The biggest worry is that this sort of thing will deter investment in the future. The likihood of some old north line branches ever being rebuilt must be remote at best if this sort of thing keeps happening.

Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

^^ Here is an approximate translation. Its not exact but this should help...

I hope they fix the twisted situation of the North Rail. I saw in NBN 4 on June 1 the ground breaking of South Rail (Caloocan to Laguna). The ground breaking was led by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Korean Ambassador to the Philippines. They say the construction and rehabilitation will take one year. So President Arroyo said by June 1 of next year, she will be there to inagurate the South Rail. I hope there are no problems... :banana:


queetz,
Many thanks for that mate. I really wish I could learn more Tagalog, I am slowly getting there :)
One year is very optimistic and certainly a lot less than original projections. She really intends to steamroll these projects through.
Good on her, its great to see.
Lets hope it is all done properly and, like you say, there are no problems.

Salamat
Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

kahit pa ata formal settlers, basta humingi ang gobyerno ng right-of-way, wala silang magagawa..

Yes, that is right. There are only two powers of the state, the power to tax and the power of eminent domain (like what was done when they extended EDSA up to Roxas Boulevard before they were private house owners who lived there).

Can anyone advise me if PNR still own the right of way (land) for the Line from Los Banos to Santa Cruz/Pagsanjan Laguna.
Also do any of the stations along the way still exist?

recently the Vice President Noli de Castro gave some PNR land at Los Banos to squatters, does anyone know if this was part of the Santa Cruz/Pagsanjan Branch line
regards
Bill

Passi City,Iloilo
by Shyaman of SSC
--------------------
The remnants of Allied Sugar Central’s railway fleet for sugarcane transport.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Passi%20City/PASSI-PanayRailways1.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Passi%20City/PASSI-PanayRailways2.jpg[/QUOTE]

^^ Thanks for reposting it here JC.

Allied Sugar Central is now called Passi Sugar Central II.


Panay Railways Bridge, minus the rails which according to Passinhons were removed by a crew led by Chinese/Korean looking engineers years ago (perhaps in preparation for its planned rehabilation).

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Passi%20City/PASSI-TrainBridge1.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Passi%20City/PASSI-TrainBridge2.jpg

good news.. :)

$50-M deal signed with Koreans on north-south rail link

By Riza T. Olchondra
Inquirer
Last updated 03:00am (Mla time) 06/09/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The government-owned Philippine National Railways (PNR) has signed a contract for a $50-million contract to link the Northrail and Southrail projects in Luzon, which has gone through several failed bids, a transport official said.

The linkage project, to be financed by a tied loan package from the Korean Export Import Bank, is a major component of the government’s program to fast-track the restoration, rehabilitation and modernization of the old railway lines between Metro Manila and the Southern Luzon region.

“PNR finally signed a formal agreement last Friday [June 1],” said Guiling Mamondiong, undersecretary for railways at the Department of Transportation and Communications.

A South Korean consortium comprising the engineering and construction giants Daewoo Corp. and Hanjin Engineering and Construction Co. Inc. and train maker Rotem Corp. will do the project, Mamondiong told the Inquirer.

The first public auction for the contract was held in January but only one offer came, from a Chinese-Filipino bidder. As state auctions require at least two bidders, it was declared a failure.

A new bidding three weeks later saw the consortium of Daewoo, Hanjin and Rotem as the sole bidder. It was also declared a failure.

The Department of Transportation and Communications later said PNR was negotiating for official development assistance (ODA) from South Korea that would cover rehabilitation of all train tracks and stations from Caloocan City to suburban Alabang town and deployment of 21 brand-new, air-conditioned coaches, called “diesel multiple units.”

Early last month, the PNR board and the Korean Export Import Bank gave the go-ahead to finalize the contract.

The PNR has long said that it wants to start rehabilitating 1,060 kilometers of tracks in Luzon this year.

For starters, it wants to repair the railway line from Calamba City in Laguna province, south of Manila, to Lucena City in the eastern province of Quezon, called Phase 1a, and its track from Alabang to Calamba, called Phase 2.

After the rehabilitation, PNR plans to invite private-sector investment in the operation and maintenance of the railway. With INQUIRER.net

good news.. :)

The PNR has long said that it wants to start rehabilitating 1,060 kilometers of tracks in Luzon this year.

For starters, it wants to repair the railway line from Calamba City in Laguna province, south of Manila, to Lucena City in the eastern province of Quezon, called Phase 1a, and its track from Alabang to Calamba, called Phase 2.

After the rehabilitation, PNR plans to invite private-sector investment in the operation and maintenance of the railway. With INQUIRER.net

Hi,
I am glad PNR has given thought to future maintenance. I talked at length last night with a fellow Phil Rail fan here in Sydney. We were worried all this money would be spent to rebuild it then it ould just deteriorate again.
1060kms of track? Where to? As I understand it Manila to Legaspi is only about 460km and the proposed rebuild of the Batangas line at best would be 55km from Calamba. Even the Sta Cruz line is only 46km.
Given PNR now has no juristiction over the trackage north of Caloocan I am unsure how they come up with th 1060km figure.
Some extra milage may come from counting the double track sections twice, but this in reality isn't far just going to Sucat.
Regardless it is wonderful to see all this happening at long last.

Best wishes
Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

Morning all,
Greetings from a very wet, windy and cold Sydney.

In all the current linkage excitment has anything been said about the line to Carmona and whether or not this is also to be fixed after the recent typhoon damage?
This line, like Calamba, has suffered from a ridiculous service of one to Manila in the morning and one back in the evening. This is another obvious candidate for a regular service when the upgrades are completed but nothing seems to be getting said about it.
Anyone heard anything?

Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html

^^ Thanks for reposting it here JC.

Allied Sugar Central is now called Passi Sugar Central II.


Panay Railways Bridge, minus the rails which according to Passinhons were removed by a crew led by Chinese/Korean looking engineers years ago (perhaps in preparation for its planned rehabilation).



Shyaman,
A VERY big thank you for sharing these photos with us, they are amazing.
I remember Passi very well and was disappointed that the asawa wouldn't let me get back there. Even more disappointed after seeing your photos of the still existing locomotive and rollingstock. Even a couple of weighbridge test vehicles sitting there.
What a shame it dosen't still operate.
I remember seeing that beautiful Panay Railway bridge from our van. I desperately wanted to just jump out for a look. Thankfully your photos have just given me a glimpse.
Would you mind me using them on the Philippine Railways SIG website (see below)? They would of course be credited to you, either your nickname here or your real name if you wish.
Thanks again for sharing these.

Best wishes
Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways

wala bang basic info sa mga tren
sa isang car, ilan ba ang wheel?
or usually ilan ang upuan
o ilan ang turnilyo ginagamit, sa lahta laht?

wala bang basic info sa mga tren
sa isang car, ilan ba ang wheel?
or usually ilan ang upuan
o ilan ang turnilyo ginagamit, sa lahta laht?


Hi Tigs,
Not sure if this was directed to me. I got the wife to translate it but am still unsure what it means.
Sorry
Brad

ah K sorry i thought you understood tagalog
let me translate it then

is there any basic information for trains, to start with?
in a car, how many wheels there are?
in the interior, what are the usual number of seats?
in terms of screws, what are the average counts or how many screws all together they used to built a car?

ooops...wrong thread

Is this separate line from the one to calamba? As far as I know Carmona is just a town in between.

can anyone post some pictures pra nmn makita un improvement. thanks in advance!!!

Is this separate line from the one to calamba? As far as I know Carmona is just a town in between.

Yes seperate line junctioning from the main south at San Pedro. It was pretty much PNRs last operating branchline.
More info can be found on this Japanese site
http://www.alles.or.jp/~ackun/CARMONA/CARMONA.html

Brad

ah K sorry i thought you understood tagalog
let me translate it then

is there any basic information for trains, to start with?
in a car, how many wheels there are?
in the interior, what are the usual number of seats?
in terms of screws, what are the average counts or how many screws all together they used to built a car?

Hi Tigs,
Basic info on the PNR is hard to find on the internet although it is a lot better now than when I first went in 1999.
I'm currently working on my website and hope to include photos of all types of rollingstock shortly, plus timetables, fares and other info of use. This is all stuff the PNR site should keep and update but they never do.
All PNR passenger cars consist of two four wheel bogies, giving eight wheels altogether.
If never actually counted the amount of seats but I roughly expect it to be around 30 or so in the CMC/CTC type. I haven't been in the 7A,B,C,D,E types to comment. Looks like more would be held in the newer (strangely unnumbered) carriages that came from Japan around 2004.
I don't think they use any screws, it would mostly be welding and perhaps some bolts. I will leave it to someone else to spend a day to count bolts :-)

Hope this helps
Brad

South railway upgrading to cost $1-B
Quezon City (9 November) -- The total cost of upgrading the railways system from Calamba, Laguna to Legazpi City, could reach US$1 billion, according to a delegation of Chinese officials visiting here for an ocular inspection of the railway lines.

The upgrading and rehabilitation plan for the railway system includes extending the line down further south to Matnog, Sorsogon, where a ferry terminal to Visayas and Mindanao is located.

The project is set to get a loan from the People’s Republic of China, which signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippines on June 5. Chinese companies and institutions will provide the technical and engineering expertise to implement the project.

Wang Yong, a representative of the Chinese government-owned National Technical Import & Export Corp. (NTIEC), said the US$1-billion estimate for upgrading the Philippine National Railway South Line had the assurance of commitment from China. The NTIEC builds railway systems, nuclear plants and other industrial projects around the world and has a 50-year track record.

Wang headed the Chinese delegation that included representatives from the China Rail 5th Design Institute who were introduced in a press conference here as Wang Li Hua and Pang Jian Wien.

Camarines Sur Representative Luis R. Villafuerte said the visit of Chinese officials was a follow-up to the June 5 signing of the memorandum of understanding between the governments of the Philippines. The MOU laid down the basis for a comprehensive cooperation between the two countries to rehabilitate and upgrade 542 kilometers of railways, from Calamba, Laguna to Matnog, Sorsogon. The Chinese government also agreed to lay the groundwork for the provision of a concessional buyer’s loan to the Philippines.

The agreement covers the rehabilitation and upgrading of the railroad, bridges and bends for faster, safer and efficient train services from Southern Tagalog up to the Matnog Ferry Terminal, the gateway to Visayas and Mindanao. At present, the ferry terminal is more than 100 kilometeres from the Legazpi City junction where the south railway stops.

Villafuerte said the contract between the PRC and GRP would be signed by December this year.

“An overhaul of the entire south railway will be implemented as new tracks will be put in place, curvatures minimized, 47 major and 143 minor bridges will be replaced and new railway stations built,” he said.

Villafuerte added that the objective was to enable the train to run at a minimum speed of 120 kilometers per hour to reduce travel time from Bicol to Manila by half. He said the project would mobilize thousands of workers and perk up economic and business activities.

Villafuerte said the project will start in February next year. (PIA)

^^ i really really hope they could start the project by february.,

this one's basically a done deal., i wont be expecting the senate to bump its ass into this one since escudero is from sorsogon., :)

Shyaman,
A VERY big thank you for sharing these photos with us, they are amazing.
I remember Passi very well and was disappointed that the asawa wouldn't let me get back there. Even more disappointed after seeing your photos of the still existing locomotive and rollingstock. Even a couple of weighbridge test vehicles sitting there.
What a shame it dosen't still operate.
I remember seeing that beautiful Panay Railway bridge from our van. I desperately wanted to just jump out for a look. Thankfully your photos have just given me a glimpse.
Would you mind me using them on the Philippine Railways SIG website (see below)? They would of course be credited to you, either your nickname here or your real name if you wish.
Thanks again for sharing these.

Best wishes
Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways



Sure you can Brad. I'll send you a PM of my real name.

Here's another picture of the railway bridge that would make you drool :). This was taken in early 1960s, when my mother was still enjoying singlehood with her peers (she's 3rd from left).


Circa 1960s

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Old%20Photos/NanayBarkadaA.jpg


2007

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/shyaman_king/Passi%20City/PASSI-TrainBridge2.jpg

Sure you can Brad. I'll send you a PM of my real name.

Here's another picture of the railway bridge that would make you drool :). This was taken in early 1960s, when my mother was still enjoying singlehood with her peers (she's 3rd from left).



Many thanks for that.
It is interesting that they had their photo taken on the same bridge. Did someone they knew work on the Panay Railway or was the bridge a really well known thing?
So great to see the comparison so may years apart. Pass on my regards and sympathy to your mother when next you talk.

Brad

^^ i really really hope they could start the project by february.,

this one's basically a done deal., i wont be expecting the senate to bump its ass into this one since escudero is from sorsogon., :)

Fingers crossed that the next president comes from Iloilo or Roxas so the Panay Railway becomes a 'no matter what it takes' priority :-)

Brad

I don't think they use any screws, it would mostly be welding and perhaps some bolts. I will leave it to someone else to spend a day to count bolts :-)

Hope this helps
Brad

:lol:

thanks for the info

Many thanks for that.
It is interesting that they had their photo taken on the same bridge. Did someone they knew work on the Panay Railway or was the bridge a really well known thing?


Well the bridge is a popular landmark eversince... and its open to pedestrians anytime, no barricades or off limits signs whatsoever.

Even when Panay Railways was still in operation, the bridge also served as pedestrian river crossing. People who used the bridge as such were experts on walking on the track rail, I repeat, on the rail itself, not on the wooden sleepers/ties. They could even run especially if there was a train coming.
I have never tried walking across the bridge even when the train system no longer operates. Really scary.

Well the bridge is a popular landmark eversince... and its open to pedestrians anytime, no barricades or off limits signs whatsoever.

Even when Panay Railways was still in operation, the bridge also served as pedestrian river crossing. People who used the bridge as such were experts on walking on the track rail, I repeat, on the rail itself, not on the wooden sleepers/ties. They could even run especially if there was a train coming.
I have never tried walking across the bridge even when the train system no longer operates. Really scary.

Thanks :-)
All the years I have spent photographing railways and the best I can do is only a few metres of railhad walking before falling off :-) I am amazed at those guys that operate the sleds around Luzon and the speeds they get up to without falling off the rail.
I believe these sleds were used around Panay as well. Would have been handy until they ripped up the rail.

Brad

Taking a good look at the current bridge photo I can see a fair bit of corrosion in the steel. Any rebuild of the line would likely result in the sad disappearance of this local icon of a bridge.
Unless it was considered an important enough part of the location for a new bridge to be built next to it. It would certainly take a bit of local opinion to back it up though.

Brad

Bring back PANAY RAILWAYS (Iloilo City to Roxas City plus Boracay !) now ! :banana: :banana:

Thanks :-)
All the years I have spent photographing railways and the best I can do is only a few metres of railhad walking before falling off :-) I am amazed at those guys that operate the sleds around Luzon and the speeds they get up to without falling off the rail.
I believe these sleds were used around Panay as well. Would have been handy until they ripped up the rail.

Brad

Sure there were Brad until the rail tracks were removed. Those sleds are the fastest mode of transport to and from the barrios along the railway. I used to ride them too during the fiesta months of April and May. Now that the rails were gone, travellers have to endure a bumpy ride aboard a jeepney or tricycle.

Bring back PANAY RAILWAYS (Iloilo City to Roxas City plus Boracay !) now ! :banana: :banana:

Hwooow.. Up to Boracay?! :cheers:

Hwooow.. Up to Boracay?! :cheers:

PNR Waterproof Hover Trains :-)
That sort of pioneering technology would certainly pay for it.

Brad

Sure there were Brad until the rail tracks were removed. Those sleds are the fastest mode of transport to and from the barrios along the railway. I used to ride them too during the fiesta months of April and May. Now that the rails were gone, travellers have to endure a bumpy ride aboard a jeepney or tricycle.

That would be so cool.
I have only done one ride on these and it was from Alabang up towards Sucat. Have long wondered how I would model these to run on my Philippine model railway.
Cheers
Brad
** Watching Wowowee on the asawas newly aquired TFC :banana:

PNR Waterproof Hover Trains :-)
That sort of pioneering technology would certainly pay for it.

Brad

way of the future.. It is highly doubtful that it will go up to boracay.. :lol:

A new fan of Mr. Revillame huh? :banana:

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/47365/1000-shanties-demolished-in-Manila-for-NorthRail-project

1,000 shanties demolished in Manila for NorthRail project
06/20/2007 | 10:36 AM
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After a brief commotion, authorities demolished some 1,000 shanties in Manila's Sta. Mesa district Wednesday to make way for the NorthRail project.

Radio dzBB reported that a brief commotion occurred when the demolition team failed to present to residents the documents authorizing the demolition.

However, the tension did not escalate and the residents eventually agreed to be moved to Cavite, after a representative from the National Housing Authority arrived.

Manila Police District (MPD) Station 8 commander Superintendent Teodorico Perez said the NHA representatives "ironed out" the situation and convinced the residents to agree to be moved.

The residents were to be brought to a resettlement site in Trece Martires town in Cavite province. - GMANews.TV

boy progress here is sometimes one shanty at a time!

Kala ko tapos na ito

And if it's northrail why is it in Sta Mesa. Northrail ends in Kalookan.

anyone know when the track from caloocan to valenzuela would be fully operational?

I have a question about squatter relocation: why do the people squatting feel that they have a right to live there? I saw on the news about slum relocation for the E-City, and the people living there were complaining about it. It's illegal to live there in the first place, and yet they feel entitled to complain like they're legally living there.

anyone know when the track from caloocan to valenzuela would be fully operational?


Not to soon, very little seems to be happening at all during my visit a couple of months ago.
I am sure I originally heard a date of late 2008 but this has likely changed.

Brad

I have a question about squatter relocation: why do the people squatting feel that they have a right to live there? I saw on the news about slum relocation for the E-City, and the people living there were complaining about it. It's illegal to live there in the first place, and yet they feel entitled to complain like they're legally living there.

This is a question that has been put forth by many but I fear there is no real answer.
It is the same logic used by these people for throwing rocks at the trains as they are to noisy and wake them from sleep. Here in Australia we have these same type of people, they usually buy a house under a flight path and then demand the planes be moved elsewhere.
I've been recieving reports of people purposely setting up shanties recently to ensure they do get a house in the relocation project.

Brad

boy progress here is sometimes one shanty at a time!

Kala ko tapos na ito

And if it's northrail why is it in Sta Mesa. Northrail ends in Kalookan.

Ignorant journalism I suspect.
Great to see them ripping into this project and not wasting time. Good on GMA for steamrolling this through, she should be congratulated for it.

Brad

Not to soon, very little seems to be happening at all during my visit a couple of months ago.
I am sure I originally heard a date of late 2008 but this has likely changed.

Brad

Until the case is pending in court; I guess they wont be able to do anything.

I really hope they salvage the Northrail and Southrail. My dad was a conductor in the Northrail when he was in his 20's, and according to my mom we would sometimes ride the train to go from Bulacan to Manila. I'd love to see and ride the renewed railways.

alcogoodwin: Hey, would you happen to have pictures of Northrail? I'd like to show my dad the state of some terminals, especially in Bulacan.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/47365/1000-shanties-demolished-in-Manila-for-NorthRail-project

1,000 shanties demolished in Manila for NorthRail project
06/20/2007 | 10:36 AM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us

After a brief commotion, authorities demolished some 1,000 shanties in Manila's Sta. Mesa district Wednesday to make way for the NorthRail project.

Radio dzBB reported that a brief commotion occurred when the demolition team failed to present to residents the documents authorizing the demolition.

However, the tension did not escalate and the residents eventually agreed to be moved to Cavite, after a representative from the National Housing Authority arrived.

Manila Police District (MPD) Station 8 commander Superintendent Teodorico Perez said the NHA representatives "ironed out" the situation and convinced the residents to agree to be moved.

The residents were to be brought to a resettlement site in Trece Martires town in Cavite province. - GMANews.TV

ooohhh., that's why there was a GMA news van there a while ago., i never noticed any commotion at all! :) i noticed that more of the squatters have left., BUT only on our side (PUP side of R.Magsaysay) the other side of R.Magsaysay(going to caloocan) still have sqautters., and it seems none of them has left yet.

i assume that by next week, i wont be seeing any sqautters by the rails on our side of sta mesa., :) i hope...,

I have a question about squatter relocation: why do the people squatting feel that they have a right to live there? I saw on the news about slum relocation for the E-City, and the people living there were complaining about it. It's illegal to live there in the first place, and yet they feel entitled to complain like they're legally living there.

because we have the most stupid law in all humanity., the LINA LAW. :) it protects sqautters against the law abiding, tax paying, land owner. :shake:

because we have the most stupid law in all humanity., the LINA LAW. :) it protects sqautters against the law abiding, tax paying, land owner. :shake:

I agree, it's very prohibitive for the rest of the country. I want to be sympathetic toward people living in the squatters, but it just feels like they're leeching off the country's resources by squatting. The government spends millions of dollars in relocating them, money that could go to health care or infrastructure. If there were no slums, the people would contribute more to their respective provinces and growth would be spread throughout the archipelago, as opposed to concentrated around the metro. Not only that, but more foreign investors would pour in money due to country looking more interactive in the slum-free environment.

Judging from the name of the law, it seems that it was created because of an incident involving a person named Lina from squatters. They have laws here in the US that are nicknamed after people who were involved in something that presented the need for the law. What happened to raise the need for the Lina Law?

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/47365/1000-shanties-demolished-in-Manila-for-NorthRail-project

1,000 shanties demolished in Manila for NorthRail project
06/20/2007 | 10:36 AM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us

After a brief commotion, authorities demolished some 1,000 shanties in Manila's Sta. Mesa district Wednesday to make way for the NorthRail project.

Radio dzBB reported that a brief commotion occurred when the demolition team failed to present to residents the documents authorizing the demolition.

However, the tension did not escalate and the residents eventually agreed to be moved to Cavite, after a representative from the National Housing Authority arrived.

Manila Police District (MPD) Station 8 commander Superintendent Teodorico Perez said the NHA representatives "ironed out" the situation and convinced the residents to agree to be moved.

The residents were to be brought to a resettlement site in Trece Martires town in Cavite province. - GMANews.TV
yes palapit na to sa sampaloc

we pass by this train station everytime. its really sad . its awful, disgusting and dangerous. just by passing there, u can get mug.

I agree, it's very prohibitive for the rest of the country. I want to be sympathetic toward people living in the squatters, but it just feels like they're leeching off the country's resources by squatting. The government spends millions of dollars in relocating them, money that could go to health care or infrastructure. If there were no slums, the people would contribute more to their respective provinces and growth would be spread throughout the archipelago, as opposed to concentrated around the metro. Not only that, but more foreign investors would pour in money due to country looking more interactive in the slum-free environment.

Judging from the name of the law, it seems that it was created because of an incident involving a person named Lina from squatters. They have laws here in the US that are nicknamed after people who were involved in something that presented the need for the law. What happened to raise the need for the Lina Law?

actually its not named after an involved person., as always, in the philippines, its named after a politician., former senator, Joey Lina., :)

alcogoodwin: Hey, would you happen to have pictures of Northrail? I'd like to show my dad the state of some terminals, especially in Bulacan.

Hi there,
I haven't spent much time on the north during my trips to the Philippines. Only stations I have photos of are Angeles and Caloocan (before and after demolision). Both of these can be seen on my website below.
I did manage to see Moncada, well the derelict remains of it. I got a couple of photos but they aren't to good due to the location and squatters building all around it.
In coming weeks I am hoping to add photos of other stations taken by members of the Philippine Railways group.
Many of them still exist, although I worry about their future as Northrail pushes further north and clears everything in its path. While I have tried to contact Northrail about the future of these histroric Philippine railway buildings they just choose to ignore my questions for fear of actually having to answer them :-)

Brad

Las Estaciones Ferrocarril Manila-Dagupan
by Manuél Máximo Nóche Lopez del Castíllo

Train travel has always been a major component in nation building. The Manila-Dagupan line of the Manila Railway Company Limited, precursor of the Philippine National Railways opened its first line in 1892. This quickly led to the efficient delivery and transport not only of goods and people but also information to the north via an efficient, reliable and fast (8 hours at that time) mode of transport the Philippines during the last decade of the 19th century has yet seen.

Along the rail route, numerous stations were built to house and accommodate passengers and Station Masters. These structures, most made of brick and wood, who shelter the official needs and functions of the assigned Station Master as well as commuters who would wait for their rides as well as onlookers who as part of their daily routine would flock to see the trains pass by. The station thus became a hub of the community, springing to life a multitude of activities from selling food to travelers as well as meeting place for travelers.

With the proposed revitalization and modernization of the North Line, a plan has been put forward to demolish the old stations and replaced with new ones. This wanton destruction will remove from history the vestiges of these stations leaving the people no trace of the rich architectural past the railways had on Philippine History. It is the purpose of this study to document and study the Spanish built stations along the North Line. To secure, document and if might be preserving the rich architecture these stations had for future generations of travelers to come.

Growth needs progress, and progress sometimes leads to the removal of the old in place of the new. The government in its desire to revitalize the North Line of the Philippine National Railroad has now seriously undertaken the task of rebuilding the destroyed North Line. Part of the modernization program of the government is the revitalization, and upgrading of the rail link between Manila-Clark, which forms part of the First Phase, and eventually the whole line to Dagupan City. In line with this redevelopment is the replacement of all the old terminals with new ones.

With the impending revitalization and thus modernization of the Manila-Dagupan Line, the need to chart and document the remaining Spanish Built Train Stations along the line is integral. The management of the Philippine National Railroad as yet has not signified their intentions of retaining these structures prompting some local government particularly those of San Fernando in Pampanga to declare these stations as historic. But unfortunately not all-local officials are enlightened. With time fast ticking by and with the proposed revitalization not only a dream but also now a reality. The demolition of these stations is fast becoming a reality as well.

Meycauayan
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Meycauayan.jpg

Bocaue
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Bocaue.jpg

Bigaa
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Bigaa.jpg

Malolos
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Malolos.jpg

Calumpit
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Calumpit.jpg

Apalit
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Apalit.jpg

Santo Tomas
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/SantoTomas.jpg

San Fernando
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/SanFernando.jpg

Angeles
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Angeles.jpg

Mabalacat
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Mabalacat.jpg

Bamban
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Bamban.jpg

Capas
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Capas.jpg

Tarlac
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Tarlac.jpg

Paniqui
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Paniqui.jpg

Gerona
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Gerona.jpg

Moncada
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Moncada.jpg

Bayambang (demolished)
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Bayambang.jpg

San Carlos
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/SanCarlos.jpg

Malasiqui
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Malasiqui.jpg

Calasiao
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Calasiao.jpg

Dagupan
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7196/2445/200/Dagupan.jpg

I got this from the industrial heritage thread posted by @IvanHenares. I think this were taken prior to the start of NorthRail construction.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=425386

boy progress here is sometimes one shanty at a time!

Kala ko tapos na ito

And if it's northrail why is it in Sta Mesa. Northrail ends in Kalookan.

Ignorant journalism I suspect.
Great to see them ripping into this project and not wasting time. Good on GMA for steamrolling this through, she should be congratulated for it.

Brad

This is in line with the rehabilitation of the Southrail (which is funded by the Koreans, if I'm not mistaken). The journalist is obviously ignorant or confused. Work on both the Southrail and the Northrail are now in progress. Well, what I meant was removing those pesky squatters er, informal settlers. Buendia up to Magallanes has no squatters anymore since last year. I hope they could remove the remaining ones in Magallanes up to Alabang.

alcogoodwin: Hah! Thanks anyway.

portludlow: Wow, thanks! These will do. I'll show my dad and see if he still remembers. They look so dilapidated though, as if they're hundreds of years old! But they were in service only a few decades ago...

nice post by ivan henares courtesy of portludlow, hope the authorities do not tear down the better structures and appreciate the heritage aspect.

** NORTHRAIL **

http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/Angeles.jpg
Angeles

http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/Calloocan.jpg
Caloocan prior to its rape and pilaging by Northrail Corp.

** SOUTHRAIL **

http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/Paco_Station_B.jpg
The remains of the beautiful (original) Paco station.

http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/Paco.jpg
What was considered suitable for replacing the original Paco station.

Brad

^^ I could still remember when I was 4 or 5 years old way back in the 80s, the railway is still running! Though theres no more commuter carriages at that time, i could recall the long cargo line and the noisy train engine passing through our farm at Hacienda Puig in Pangasinan every morning and afternoon.

At present, Bautista Station is now turned into a "cockpit arena" owned by a local politician, rail tracks and slippers are gone, the alignment converted into a concrete barangay road, squatters are also present, and the long Agno river bridge crossing sold as scrap metal. Sad story.

With the current bureaucracy and funding of the Northrail project, should i expect this line running in 15-20 years from now? Phase 4 covers Clark to La Union. We're only starting to construct Phase 1 Section 1. Also, I guess most of the old station are gone by that time.

^^yes, the cockpit arena is owned no other than by the family of our very own Governor Espino!:lol:

^^ Korek! You know the truth! :lol:

and dami nang ginigiba sa tabi ng riles sa part namin ng sta mesa., (near PUP)., kala ko yung houses lang na nakatapat sa riles., pati pala yung mga nakaharap sa anonas street., nadamay pa yung fave waffle joint ko!!!!! buy1take1 for 10 bucks., damn.

not to mention, super mega chaotic ngayon sa tapat ng PUP., daming umaalis na., so glad to see na tinutulungan pa sila ng gobyerno maghakot ng gamit., :) hindi pa kasama diyan yung naghuhukay na maynilad water sa anonas street., :lol:


http://i15.tinypic.com/669muwz.jpg

imagine what PUP students go through just to get to school., with all those demolision on going..,

i have a good feeling that they'll be transfering the sta mesa station to near the PUP main gate in order for passengers of the PNR to have access to the pasig ferry., :) since its only walking distance and they're already beautifying the PUP campus to accomodate passengers of the pasig ferry., puno na ng inter-locking tiles ang daanan papunta sa station., :)

^I'm glad about that, Richard

^^^ Sana nga maayos ng husto yang tabi ng riles. Dahil natatandaan ko pa nung nag aaral pa ako sa PUP tapos gamit ko train papuntang Makati sa trabaho ko, nakakatakot dahil may magnanakaw na sumasampa sa train tapos huwag kang tatayo sa may pinto dahil may nambabato ng tae.

@single., taga PUP ka din pala., :) ano course mo? :)

ang dami na talaga nawalang mga bahay.,

akala ko sinimulan na ayusin yung mismong tracks? bakit nagrurun parin ung tren?

Hi Richard...thank you so much for your posting of the aerial photo of where would the construction of railways be in sta. mesa.....I hope you can post an actual photo of the construction site...kc here in Bicol, we really love to see our trains running again and were all happy about that...

Ano ba ung range ng demolition ng PNR, ang alam ko 15 meters hindi lang ako sigurado kung 15 meters each on both sides of the rail or total na ung 15 meters ng both sides ng rail. Good news kung asa Sta.Mesa na sila sa pag dedemolish ibig sabihin malapit na iyon dito sa Sampaloc area.

I think 15m from the centerline of the ROW....and it will be 30m....kc dito sa amin sa Bicol, isa lang kc and riles...kaya 15m from the center to each side at sa mga stations its always 60m right of way kac may mga branches yung riles to accomodate the standby train, passing train, parked train...etc..just like in the previous old stations pero I think it will be more tracks to be built so they will really need this whole 30m right of way....

Pagdating sa may sampaloc to blumentric palagay ko lang yung roadside na ang boundary ng row kaya makikita natin yung buong riles from both sides of the road...I think so...

When I went into Japan I got an oppurtunity to riding into one of the JRLines (Tokyo-Tohuko Line)..This Line crossess the Southern Portion of the Tokyo Area and I think its 50km or more dual track narrow guage(1067mm) railroad....just like the guage that Southrail will be using..The train..hmmm...wow!! ha ha ha..its so fast...my first time to experience a 150km/h trip on trains running on ground level tracks..Akala ko shinkansen na.....rapid train lang pala d2..

One interesting moment that i notice is that the right of way is not that wide...I think its in the range of 15m and on the stations its 30m..Along side of the railways are lots and lots of houses and buildings. Most of the length of the railroad has no fence...And theres a lot of level crossings but specially equipped with efficient signaling and communication system. All of the houses have their access not on the side of the railroad but on the road side opposite of the tracks preventing the people in any case not to walk on the side of the tracks.....Amazingly its very safe!!!...

I think its the disciple and knowledge of the people here that avoids them from getting the risks of train accidents.. Sa kaso natin...dapat wide talaga ang right of way tsaka it should be fenced para protekted and tao at ang train.Bago pa lang tayo sa mga moderno at superfast na trains and we need so much eperiences on how to negotiate an effective and most reliable transportation in Philippines for life.

LETS US SUPPORT NORTHRAIL AND SOUTHRAIL PROJECTS!!!!.....cheers: .

Hi Richard...thank you so much for your posting of the aerial photo of where would the construction of railways be in sta. mesa.....I hope you can post an actual photo of the construction site...kc here in Bicol, we really love to see our trains running again and were all happy about that...

they're not fixing the rails yet., the train is still on service., some of my classmates use the PNR to get to school from the alabang area., :) i'll try to get a pic of the sta mesa area., (kaso madami mashado tao., nakakahiya.,) hehehe...,

i think they still havent started demolitions in the rails in the northern part of r. magsaysay blvd.,

http://i13.tinypic.com/6h37mno.jpg
the thin yellow line are the houses currently being demolished., syempre the the thin purple line is the PNR tracks., :)

Ano ba ung range ng demolition ng PNR, ang alam ko 15 meters hindi lang ako sigurado kung 15 meters each on both sides of the rail or total na ung 15 meters ng both sides ng rail. Good news kung asa Sta.Mesa na sila sa pag dedemolish ibig sabihin malapit na iyon dito sa Sampaloc area.

i think the plan is 15m on each side., i'm not sure kung 15 meters yung ginagawa nila sa sta mesa area., parang hindi., basta ginigiba nila yung houses na nakaharap directly sa rails., :)

Definitely ongoing. Someone came to me about building 7000 cheap houses by NHA. Iyung budget 50000 lang napatulala ako. Sobran mura. Anyway these houses have to be made before they can move more home along the riles familes out of the riles.

Just like what the late Max Soliven said,"Let's start building and rehabilitate our train systems (North & South),then argue later.Because our country and people badly need it."







Definitely ongoing. Someone came to me about building 7000 cheap houses by NHA. Iyung budget 50000 lang napatulala ako. Sobran mura. Anyway these houses have to be made before they can move more home along the riles familes out of the riles.

A sample picture of Yamanote Line Train..
http://eeto.org/wp-content/images/yamanote.jpg

This Line forms the Tokyo Loop Route...These trains keep on encircling the Tokyo Area keeping the good mobility of the people surrounding this Super Mega City...

Nakasakay na ako sa train na ito and i noticed that the cars are very wide inside...parang mega tren(LRT2) sa atin...This train comprises 12cars ung iba 15cars with 2 double deck cars..It runs at speed of 90kph on a narrow guage track similar sa atin...

Very good TRAIN!!!

they're not fixing the rails yet., the train is still on service., some of my classmates use the PNR to get to school from the alabang area., :) i'll try to get a pic of the sta mesa area., (kaso madami mashado tao., nakakahiya.,) hehehe...,

i think they still havent started demolitions in the rails in the northern part of r. magsaysay blvd.,

http://i13.tinypic.com/6h37mno.jpg
the thin yellow line are the houses currently being demolished., syempre the the thin purple line is the PNR tracks., :)



i think the plan is 15m on each side., i'm not sure kung 15 meters yung ginagawa nila sa sta mesa area., parang hindi., basta ginigiba nila yung houses na nakaharap directly sa rails., :)


Yes, they haven't started demolitions in the norther part. I always take a look there when I ride the LRT2. Are most lands near the railways own by the government?

yes they are, thats why it's so unfair that we the people have to pay squatters to get out after they used what is not theirs for so many years. The economic benefit they have accrued is already massive and still our stupid LIna Law dictates we have to pay them yet again. It's an incentive to squat on other poeple land.

I droped by PUP this pm and daming police they're tearing stuff down. jUst a kilometer down the line close to pureza iyung mga squatter business as usual.

yes they are, thats why it's so unfair that we the people have to pay squatters to get out after they used what is not theirs for so many years. The economic benefit they have accrued is already massive and still our stupid LIna Law dictates we have to pay them yet again. It's an incentive to squat on other poeple land.

I droped by PUP this pm and daming police they're tearing stuff down. jUst a kilometer down the line close to pureza iyung mga squatter business as usual.

So how far government owns the lands? Like 15 to 20 meters?, sorry though it is off topic. I always wonder what were the lands before people begun squatting on them. I mean sayang talaga it could have been used in more productive means. In Japan, even the houses near the tracks are very nice.

From what I know the carraigeway should be 30 m wide including easements for safety. In order to dissuade squatters in the future a landscaping campaign can also be instituted in between the actual rail tracks and the end so people don't come nearer. It's not that expensive and can be included in their budget , sana.

good! MORNING TO ALL!!!
Specially to my SKYSCRAPERCITY.COM and all RAILROADERS........:banana:

WOW! yesss!!!!ANG SAYA SAYA!!!! ACTIVE PALAGI ANG RAILROAD THREAD KO....NATIN PALA...HA HA HA!!!!!

wats up guys!!!!:nuts:

From what I know the carraigeway should be 30 m wide including easements for safety. In order to dissuade squatters in the future a landscaping campaign can also be instituted in between the actual rail tracks and the end so people don't come nearer. It's not that expensive and can be included in their budget , sana.

^^ YES SIR!!!!....right 100% agree po ako dyan na 30m tlaga ROW....Hmmm....naiimagine ko na tlaga kung gaano kaganda ang magging itsura ng ating NORTHRAIL....Based on the information that I've read I think they will put a 3m concrete fence along the whole length of the line. Tlagang magiging malinis na ung ating railroad kc 100% percent di na talga matitirhan ng squatters..kahit d2 pa sa amin sa Bicol....Yesss! Very safe na!!!

Hmmm....di naman kaya boring ang biyahe kung pader lahat ang makikita mo patungong clark...parang nasa 80km subway ang biyahe...ha ha ha!!!

Hmm...Teka!!!parang may solusyon ako dyan ha..Ah..Oo nga tama si Sir Bustero ilandscape na lang natin ung sides..dba ok n ok ang datng at very environmental friendly pa...ha ha ha...O di kaya lagyan natin ng mga panaflex advertisements sa mga pader equally space at each other at uniform size..In this way...kikita lalo ang Northrail at gaganda ang service nila sa atin...dba friends...!!!!:nuts:

From what I know the Daewoo and Rotem Comapanies of South Korea are responsible for the supply of rolling stocks to the Southrail...Picture below is the DMU of Thailand Railways.The manufacture is Rotem and the machine is Daewoo...

Would our Soutrail Commuter Trains look like this?
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3839/v538122741us9.jpg

Rotem DMU(Diesel Multiple Units) made cars with Daewoo engines on a 1000mm Narrow Guage Tracks
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/BangsueDaewoo.jpg

Another Rotem DMU Commuter Train.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/DaewooHuahin.jpg

Pwedeng pwede na ito sa atin..Anyway mabilis din namn ito at 120kph max. speed..Pwede na ito sa starting operation...Anyway iilectrified din nila ang railway natin in the future..

How about cargo trains, do they need upgrading as well after this project is completed?... If the PNR could be relied upon to bring cargo to Calabarzon and Bicol this will help reduce the number of container vans plying the SLEX and STAR...

^^ YES SIR!!!!....right 100% agree po ako dyan na 30m tlaga ROW....Hmmm....naiimagine ko na tlaga kung gaano kaganda ang magging itsura ng ating NORTHRAIL....Based on the information that I've read I think they will put a 3m concrete fence along the whole length of the line. Tlagang magiging malinis na ung ating railroad kc 100% percent di na talga matitirhan ng squatters..kahit d2 pa sa amin sa Bicol....Yesss! Very safe na!!!

Hmmm....di naman kaya boring ang biyahe kung pader lahat ang makikita mo patungong clark...parang nasa 80km subway ang biyahe...ha ha ha!!!

Hmm...Teka!!!parang may solusyon ako dyan ha..Ah..Oo nga tama si Sir Bustero ilandscape na lang natin ung sides..dba ok n ok ang datng at very environmental friendly pa...ha ha ha...O di kaya lagyan natin ng mga panaflex advertisements sa mga pader equally space at each other at uniform size..In this way...kikita lalo ang Northrail at gaganda ang service nila sa atin...dba friends...!!!!:nuts:

the 3m high concrete fence is only in manila...

How about cargo trains, do they need upgrading as well after this project is completed?... If the PNR could be relied upon to bring cargo to Calabarzon and Bicol this will help reduce the number of container vans plying the SLEX and STAR...

Well I think wala na cguro tayong mga cargo cars except for those cars being used by the ICTSC..Pwede pa natin itong gamitin ung iba...But unfortunately kulang pa rin and they must acquire more cargo cars and container cars...

Study shows that southrail will become even more profitable once the cargo service commence..Ito kasi ung magiging lifesaver ng southrails at yung mga business d2 sa Calabarson and Bicol Regions specially if the operations will reach the Matnog area.. Just imagine the big volume of sand and rocks from Albay..If we could ship it all by cargo cars to Manila for construction purposes...kikita nang husto ang mga tao d2 at syempre yung southrail...

the 3m high concrete fence is only in manila...

Hayy!!! salamat sa Manila lang fence!!! Yes...makikita pa rin natin ang magagandang landscapes natin patungong North!!!

One thing for sure na sure...pag natapos na ang northrail....maraming pupuntang mga dayuhang turista sa atin...at hindi lang yun, pagnagustuhan nila transportation natin, baka maglagay pa sila ng businessess d2...WOW!!!!:nuts:

^^ Is the upgrade planned to enable the bridges to carry the heavy loads in the future? And what about the rampant stealing of railroad parts (this was pointed out during the accident in Quezon)? Will they put fence on the entire length (NCR-Bicol)? If so, how will they address the operators of "carts" or "trolleys" in the provinces?

and dami nang ginigiba sa tabi ng riles sa part namin ng sta mesa., (near PUP)., kala ko yung houses lang na nakatapat sa riles., pati pala yung mga nakaharap sa anonas street., nadamay pa yung fave waffle joint ko!!!!! buy1take1 for 10 bucks., damn.

not to mention, super mega chaotic ngayon sa tapat ng PUP., daming umaalis na., so glad to see na tinutulungan pa sila ng gobyerno maghakot ng gamit., :) hindi pa kasama diyan yung naghuhukay na maynilad water sa anonas street., :lol:


http://i15.tinypic.com/669muwz.jpg

imagine what PUP students go through just to get to school., with all those demolision on going..,

i have a good feeling that they'll be transfering the sta mesa station to near the PUP main gate in order for passengers of the PNR to have access to the pasig ferry., :) since its only walking distance and they're already beautifying the PUP campus to accomodate passengers of the pasig ferry., puno na ng inter-locking tiles ang daanan papunta sa station., :)

Hey bro, how did you get that from Google Earth? Usually, the Philippine map is blurry.

^^^ Sana nga maayos ng husto yang tabi ng riles. Dahil natatandaan ko pa nung nag aaral pa ako sa PUP tapos gamit ko train papuntang Makati sa trabaho ko, nakakatakot dahil may magnanakaw na sumasampa sa train tapos huwag kang tatayo sa may pinto dahil may nambabato ng tae.

That was funny...tae...hahahahahaha:lol:

^^ actually seryoso un., nambabato yung mga squatter ng tae, tubig o burak (ano nga ba burak?) :lol:



@jonno., malinaw naman manila sakin., :)

How the railroad is being constructed?

Were lucky again to find these photos on the internet....
1. First of all, the railway company will acquire right of way for the railroad.
2. Then after acquiring ROW, they will prepare the railroad bed by flattening the roadbed made of layers of sand and gravel interleaved with each other with graders that will level the ground into desired angle. Bulldozer will be use to landscape the sides like the one showing in the picture and finally they will compact it into the desired strength depending on the load it will carry.
Figure1
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/challenger.jpg[/IMG
Figure2
[IMG]http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/9th2.jpg
Figure3
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/9th4.jpg

3. Laying of sleeper will commence through the use of tracklaying machine like the one in the picture. Along the side of the sleeper is the rail..Once the sleeper is put in place, laying of the rail follows.
Figure4
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/tl2.jpg
Figure5
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/tl.jpg
Figure6
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/tl4.jpg

4. After the rail and sleeper are finally put in place, a track machine will fasten the rail into the sleeper.
Figure7
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/railclipper.jpg
Figure8
ttp://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/16octcb3.jpg

5. After the rail had been fasted, a carload of ballast will be unloaded into the railroad.
Figure9
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/20sepparry4.jpg
Figure10
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/20sepparry5.jpg

6. Spreading of the ballast will follow to provide even density of ballast in the railroad.
Figure11
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/13octcb4.jpg
Figure12
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/20sepparry6.jpg

7. Finally a tampering machine will be use to simulate the passage of 2000 train ensuring that the railroad is ready for operation.
Figure13
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/r1902b.jpg
Figure14. Ready for Operation!!!
http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/12sepberrigan1.jpg

nice...san yan?

Does anyone know where they are going to start building those freaking rail tracks from Caloocan to Bulacan? And is it true that the main central depot would be in Valenzuela? If that's true, prices would be going up in Valenzuela.

@wheel of steel, Sigh, i wish those pictures were from southrail or northrail. Cmon, any sign of progress would be greatly appreciated.

haha thank you for your pictures and enthusiasm wheels!

Magandang pictorial iyan educational pa.

I think even if there is a 3 meter wall the pax will be able to look over it , mataas naman iyung tren.

http://www.webace.com.au/%7Echook/trains/mandurah/20sepparry4.jpg

I hope the entire length of the N-S rail should be fenced like this... it looks more presentable, safe, and in some way, help deter occupation by unlawful tenants and theft of rail parts...

^^ GOOD DAY TO ALL!!!^^

Thank you so much guys!!! Thank you for the appreciation...:bowtie:

Yes!!! Promise talaga...when I get there in Manila, I will get some photos of the development happening in the N-S rail project....Promise!!!

clearing operations at sta mesa., in front of PUP Manila.

http://i8.tinypic.com/4li0mki.jpg
(notice the truck? its from NHA., so the govt is indeed helping these people to move to their relocation site., since hindi naman yata pumalag yung mga tao) :)

http://i10.tinypic.com/67ygjg2.jpg

even the houses facing Anonas Street were demolished., so many tindahans carinderias and computer cafes were affected.

Many thanks for all your photos!

updated naman sa northrail, kung hanggang pampanga naba ang clearing nila !

clearing operations at sta mesa., in front of PUP Manila.

http://i8.tinypic.com/4li0mki.jpg
(notice the truck? its from NHA., so the govt is indeed helping these people to move to their relocation site., since hindi naman yata pumalag yung mga tao) :)

http://i10.tinypic.com/67ygjg2.jpg

even the houses facing Anonas Street were demolished., so many tindahans carinderias and computer cafes were affected.

^^ WOW! Ang galing..dami na pala ang nagigiba...ok!:okay: masisimulan na yung project....Thank You Richard24...Thank you so much....:okay:

^^ HAVE A NICE DAY TO ALL!!!!^^

salamat s news about PUP, it interest me.

Some Good News, South Rail is finally on...

DMU trains by ROTEM. woohoo:banana:

from Businessworld

Vol. XX, No. 241
Thursday, July 5, 2007 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
The Economy

BY MARICEL E. ESTAVILLO, Senior Reporter
PNR remits $14.7M to South Korean consortium

State-owned Philippine National Railways (PNR) has remitted $14.7 million in advance payment, representing 30% of the total cost of $49.096 million, to the South Korean consortium tapped to build the 34-kilometer Caloocan-to-Alabang rail line.

"We made the advance payment last Friday. We expect light works such as clearing to start next week," PNR assistant general manager Rafael S. Mosura said in a phone interview yesterday.

PNR had already given the consortium of Daewoo Company, Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Ltd. and Rotem Corp. a notice to proceed with the construction of the Caloocan-Alabang rail line last June 18. The rail line, also called the North-rail-Southrail linkage project, is the first phase of PNR’s Luzon line rehabilitation.

PNR is also set to start this year the rehabilitation of the line from Calamba, Laguna to Lucena in Quezon, called Phase 1a; and rehabilitation of 27 kms of track from Alabang to Calamba, called Phase 2.

The planned Northrail project, which will run for 32 kms from Caloocan to Malolos in Bulacan, will connect from the Caloocan-Alabang rail line.

The consortium of the three South Korean companies was tapped by PNR for the project via a negotiated deal.

PNR had decided to enter into a negotiated contract with the South Korean consortium after attempts for a public auction failed twice. PNR scheduled a public bidding last January, but only one firm — a Chinese-Filipino venture — submitted an offer. The auction was declared a failure since only South Korean firms and local partners were allowed to bid in the project that is funded by a tied loan.

Funding will come from a $50.42-million loan of the national government from the Korean Export and Import Bank, with the remainder of the loan to be used to pay another South Korean firm, Yooshin Engineering Corp., for consultancy services.

PNR staged a second bidding after the first failed bid, in which the consortium of Daewoo, Hanjin and Rotem was the sole bidder. That auction was also declared a failure.

The final contract with the South Korean consortium includes the purchase of 18 diesel multiple units (DMUs) or six train sets — less than the original 21 units — since the budget of $49.096 million is not enough for the 21 rolling stock, as included in the 2002 feasibility study.

Aside from the purchase of 18 new trains, work for phase one of the railway rehabilitation includes strengthening of tracks, reconstruction of bridges, improvement of stations and flagstops, installation of signaling and communications facilities, as well as for rehabilitation of maintenance depots.

The rail line is expected to service up to 187,000 people a day and cut travel time from Caloocan to Alabang by half. Travel time, by bus or car, from Caloocan to Alabang now takes more than an hour on the average.

PNR wants to rehabilitate a total of 1,060 kms of track in Luzon.

After the rehabilitation, PNR plans to entice the private sector to invest in the operation and maintenance of the railway.

To date, the only commercial operation left for PNR is the line from Tayuman, Manila to Biñan, Laguna.

ROCK ON PNR!

aus yan! eto check nyo to, this is around 11:30am 07/05/07 near sta. mesa station. I went there with my friends, I went there to study the site of my thesis in design.. and I'm glad because there's a progress on the project of the south rail. :banana:

:bash:
:bash:
:bash:

Bombs Away!!!!
http://file.uploadr.com/f271-embed at Sta. Mesa Station http://file.uploadr.com/f274-embed

Look how the government does not give importance to railways. Railway systems are very important because they serve as the artery of the city. it just so sad that our country have it but don't use it. :bash:

this is another view from sta. mesa station

http://file.uploadr.com/f275-embed

mga tol updated naman sa northrail sa clearing kung pampanga na sila

Great to hear about progress and see it as well!

:bash:
:bash:
:bash:

http://file.uploadr.com/f287-embed

some of the livelihood in the riles.... iba ang PINOY..very creative...

http://file.uploadr.com/f27c-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f27d-embed

incoming train..wooohooo.. :banana:

http://file.uploadr.com/f27f-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f280-embed

CLEARING OPERATION!!!!!!

http://file.uploadr.com/f281-embed

that's all for now...

this Google earth i think is still 2005 or 2004... but i just want to show u guys how strong the confidence of the squatters to squat on property they do not own. ; i still dont have updates about the north rail...

e2 yung mga pix nung hindi pa nagstart ang demolition.lastlast yr pa

http://file.uploadr.com/f298-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f299-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f29a-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f29b-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f29c-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f29d-embed


PS:/ dis is not an updated picture... these are pictures when the demolition and projects where not yet started..

that is sad to see the long row of squatters..

Glad to see some movement in the rehabilitation! This is the infrastructure project I'm looking forward to the most!

Astig! inaayos na rin nila.. sana lang wala na aberya para tuloy tuloy na yung pagrehab ng mga ito.. :D

Teka dun sa report, It means maguumpisa na construction nung Southrail?

this google earth i think is still 2005 or 2004... but i just want to show u guys how strong the confidence of the squatters to squat on property they do not own. ; i still dont have updates about the north rail....

http://file.uploadr.com/f298-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f299-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f29a-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f29b-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f29c-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/f29d-embed


PS:/ dis is not an updated picture... these are pictures when the demolition and projects where not yet started..

kaya madaming sqauatter diyan kasi matagal nang hindi nagagamit yung train line diyan., sa northrail na yan eh., :)

guys! many thanks for the photos ...
:banana: :banana: :banana:

@ richard...
pano gagawin sa teresa st? magkakaroon ba ng flyover or underpass dun? open pa rin ba sya for vehicles or pedestrian na lang? thanks!!! :)

OMG, PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

guys! many thanks for the photos ...
:banana: :banana: :banana:

@ richard...
pano gagawin sa teresa st? magkakaroon ba ng flyover or underpass dun? open pa rin ba sya for vehicles or pedestrian na lang? thanks!!! :)

teresa street was "pedestrianized" by atienza., not sure if Lim would also reverse this., as of now., it is passable to vehicles going to PUP campus., since anonas street is closed to traffic due to a maynilad project (na tinapat pa nila sa relocation time ng PNR.,.) :) hehehe.,

i think they wont bother putting up a flyover at teresa street., kung sa españa nga wala eh., :) hehehehehe., ano nga pala gagawin nila sa españa? sana lagyan nila ng flyover?

sa akin,sana wag na lagyan ng flyover, kahit na sbihin natin makakabilis un ng traffic.. tatambayan lang un ng mga squatters ung ilalim ng flyover, eh di mas lalo nmn nakakatakot un for the passengers...

kung noon pa sana gnawa na lahat ng mga means of transportation at mga mass transit system, hindi na natin kakailanganin ang mga flyover..

^^ WOW!!! GUYS...ANG GALING!!!!!! ANG GALING NG MGA PHOTOSSSS!!!!:banana:

IM SO HAPPY SO MUCH OF THE DEVELOPMENTS.... VERY NICE PROGRESS!!!!

Thank you so much friends for a job well done photos!!!:okay:

sta mesa looks like a war torn area., ang gulo gulo na! :lol: pero at least after matapos tong project na to, kaming mga PUPian ang magbebenifit., :) ang saya., :)

http://i16.tinypic.com/6azir1j.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/4ys7uc0.jpg

^buti hindi nagrereklamo mga tibak sa inyo? Sa amin, mas pabor sila sa squatters. Tingnan mo UPD marami kang makikitang squatters.

thx for the pics!! mukhang tuluy-tuloy na ang progress ng pinas a. mass transpo in the end will benefit more and more people. :cheers:

some people has to sacrifice tlaga for the benefit of the many and for the country...

Sacrifice! These squatters have already taken what was not theirs, it's time they gave it back! MAy pampatamis pa nga kasi may bayad sa kanila.

^^

Can anyone enlighten me please: do all these clearings in Sta. Mesa got anything to do with the proposed railway from Caloocan to Bulacan (which I believe was taken to the courts)?

Sta Mesa is SouthRail. Caloocan to Bulacan is Northrail. Magkaiba iyan. Though both clearing operations are run by the GOP.

some people has to sacrifice tlaga for the benefit of the many and for the country...


You'll be surprised how many of these so called squatters are actually in cahoots with big time criminal syndicates. It's been noted since Marcos' time that squatting in areas that would be subjected to government projects would dramatically surge after the government has announced its blueprint. These criminal syndicates I would say are netting hundreds of millions of pesos a year (all over the Philippines) from this operation alone.

Sta Mesa is SouthRail. Caloocan to Bulacan is Northrail. Magkaiba iyan. Though both clearing operations are run by the GOP.

Cheers. North rail is stalled at the moment, right?

when we went there last Thursday at sta. Mesa station,project kc nmin sa planning na sumakay ng train ng pnr , habang naglalakad kmi may mga nakatambay na mga squatters, mga sputnik pa nga e.. dmi tatoo. pero mababait nmn, tpos nagkataon ang nasakyan nmin eh ung pnr police clearing operation na train. hehe, nrinig ko sa kanila gigibain nila up to Espana, may map pa cla na hawak hawak, up to laong laan ...

sbi nla bandang balik-balik hanggang España madali na daw kc puro gawa sa mga kahoy at tagpi tagpi na yero, unlke in sta mesa bongga mga bahay, chb na may rebars at ung iba abot 3rd floor pa.. hehe , nkakapagtaka lang , hindi ba minsan pumasok sa icp nyo, bkit pinayagan ng pnr management na pamugaran ng squatters este "illegal settlements" ang property nla?? bkit kaya?:bash:
wla ba clang power or just they dont have budget and support from the gov't of manila at sa nat'l gov't.:bash:

^^ kaya umabot ng 3 floors mga bahay sa sta mesa coz they relocated the people who are facing anonas street as well., so parang 2 blocks. not just the one facing the rails, but also facing the street.,

@xp., naku., nagreklamo din sila at first.., kawawa naman daw mga tao sa riles kasi wala na silang kabuhayan (?) :lol: galit nga mga tibak samin sa beautification ng PUP campus eh., gusto kasi nila mukhang blighted forever ang PUP para mukha kaming pathetic para daw taasan ang budget., :lol:

@jonno., yep., its connected., although, the one in sta mesa is southrail., the one in caloocan to malolos is northrail., not sure if they've actually started northrail., sana., sana lang.

^^ GOOD DAY TO ALL^^

I think Northrail has started already back in Oct.2006..Maybe they are building bridges first before they could proceed to the next.. It takes time to build bridges specially for those sections that crosses big rivers..Maybe they're erecting the piers and foundation simultaneously for several bridges..Laying of the tracks is just as easy as 123 once these bridges are done..Marami nyan sa parte ng Bulacan..I think so...kaya cguro wala pa masyadong activities tayong nakikita...And also maybe they're building depot for their construction materials.....Remember guys, North line had been in the comma for 27years and its infrastructure are no longer reliable and they would have to replace it with the new one....Unlike the South Rail which had a major rehabilitation back in mid 1990s..

Sana sana sana!!!! Somebody would provide us photos for Northrail.....:wave:

guys! many thanks for the photos ...
:banana: :banana: :banana:

@ richard...
pano gagawin sa teresa st? magkakaroon ba ng flyover or underpass dun? open pa rin ba sya for vehicles or pedestrian na lang? thanks!!! :)


^^ I think Southrail will build a street level crossing in Teresa St. similar to the one in Espanya St...Its just a simple but safe level crossing...The problem is that if Teresa St. is very much near to the Sta. Mesa Station every time there is a long train passing and will stop at the station, the crossing will be closed since the sections of the train could extend beyond Teresa St. thereby blocking the street..The gate will open once the train leaves....Anyway there a lot of station in other countries similar to this one that never poised and created a traffic problem...:banana:

i heard in the news a few days back that the railway system will have a sort of grand central just like in new york that will integrate the southrail, northrail, mrt3, lrt 1 in tala caloocan....are there pics or designs that could validate this...development?....btw...GMA got pissed again....when she found out that the loop that she was asking is not yet ready as of this time...it ws supposed to be part of her legacy...so we have to wait again for the mrt3 and lrt1 connectivity.....

Cheers. North rail is stalled at the moment, right?

noooope...its on going....though we are having a hard time getting pics on recent developments...

New York's Grand Central Station is as the name implies at the very center of activity. Tala is way out there in the boondocks. Kuliglig lamang ang busy sa Tala. :ohno: :ohno:

I don't think a central station will be built in Tala... never heard of it... plus no PNR lines or any railroad passing thru Tala... the only rail system that will pass near it is the proposed MRT7 only....

anyways... Tala is situated at North Caloocan (Bukid area) which is a few minutes from the San JOse Del Monte City border in Bulacan... I think the Central Station planned is at South Caloocan (Gracepark area) where MRT if extended can reach the Caloocan station of PNR that is being converted to North Rail...

Well I think wala na cguro tayong mga cargo cars except for those cars being used by the ICTSC..Pwede pa natin itong gamitin ung iba...But unfortunately kulang pa rin and they must acquire more cargo cars and container cars...

Study shows that southrail will become even more profitable once the cargo service commence..Ito kasi ung magiging lifesaver ng southrails at yung mga business d2 sa Calabarson and Bicol Regions specially if the operations will reach the Matnog area.. Just imagine the big volume of sand and rocks from Albay..If we could ship it all by cargo cars to Manila for construction purposes...kikita nang husto ang mga tao d2 at syempre yung southrail...

Hi all,
PNR will virtually need an entire fleet of freight cars to seriously service the Bicol region. They have plenty of boxcars which would be of use, but container wagons are certainly the usual way nowdays.
I see ICTSI mentioned, although I can't understand the tagalog around it.. There is no ICTSI train in the Phils now, the whole thing was recently moved down here to Australia.
In reality, any private investment in the railway of the Philippines would have to include freight. No company would seriously entertain a heavyrail system as an investment based purely on passenger train usage.

Best wishes
Brad

^^ The plan of the government is to build a central station in the Monumento area linking Northrail and Southrail and the MRT-LRT loop.

^^ Is the upgrade planned to enable the bridges to carry the heavy loads in the future? And what about the rampant stealing of railroad parts (this was pointed out during the accident in Quezon)? Will they put fence on the entire length (NCR-Bicol)? If so, how will they address the operators of "carts" or "trolleys" in the provinces?

The only serious way to address all this would be with regular policing and actual enforcement with heavy penalties.
Fencing the entire way just isn't viable and really isn't long term with fences easily destroyed or got past.

Brad

^^ The plan of the government is to build a central station in the Monumento area linking Northrail and Southrail and the MRT-LRT loop.


Can you give me an idea exactly where this is compared to Caloocan station please?
During my visit I was given the impression that the changeover point was Caloocan.
Would a terminal in Monumento involve them going beyond the Caloocan terminus? With PNR already very peeved about Northrail I can't see them willfully giving more of their trackage away.
Is a map available of the proposed Monumento location?

I still can't get any answer from the government about running rights should Northrail wish to access the line to the port. Perhaps Gloria hasn't come up with a plan for that 'obvious' likehood.

Cheers
Brad

Bad news? :ohno:

China balks at new pledges amid Northrail delay (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/50327/China-balks-at-new-pledges-amid-Northrail-delay)

China seems "lukewarm" to committing new financial assistance to the Philippines owing to the slow progress of the Beijing-funded North Rail project.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri on Monday told reporters that China has expressed disappointment over the inability of Manila to follow through on the $503-million Northrail project. China is funding $400 million for this project.

"They are not eager to pursue new project because they want to see progress in the Northrail first," Neri said.

The Philippine government has also asked Beijing to fund the development of Southrail project and Laiban Dam project.

Neri added that the loan contract agreements for the P47.9-billion Laiban Dam project, which will address an existing gap of water supply in Metro Manila, and a portion of the Southrail project, which is expected to cost $200 million, have yet to be signed.

The expansion and upgrade of Northrail project involves the improvement of the single track to a dual-track system linking Manila to Malolos City in Bulacan, and to Angeles City, the Clark Special Economic Zone and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. Construction for the project has began late last year.

Neri said the Northrail project is being delayed by difficulty in acquiring new right of ways by the Philippine National Railways.

"This (acquisition of rights of way) takes time," he told reporters.

Neri said the lack of foresight and planning were the main reasons in the slow progress in the Northrail Project.

"Government agencies were used to our money-scarcity culture so that now that we have a lot of money, we are almost always surprised that we have them and that's why we act so slowly," he said. - GMANews.TV

sta mesa looks like a war torn area., ang gulo gulo na! :lol: pero at least after matapos tong project na to, kaming mga PUPian ang magbebenifit., :) ang saya., :)

http://i16.tinypic.com/6azir1j.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/4ys7uc0.jpg

^^ At first glance kala ko yung pic after the Milenyo storm - Railway clearing pala!

Neri said the Northrail project is being delayed by difficulty in acquiring new right of ways by the Philippine National Railways.




This is all very sad news but not really unexpected given the delays.

Not sure what this quote from above means. Do they mean 'by the PNR' or 'from the PNR'?
As PNR isn't involved in the Northrail project why would they be aquiring new rights of way for it?
Possibly just another example of ignorant journalism - or is it?

Brad

Ultimately the Right of way is the responsibility of the PNR for while the project is funded and even run by a foreign company, the underlying real estate will be titled to PNR so that's why PNR is the acquiring institution.

Ultimately the Right of way is the responsibility of the PNR for while the project is funded and even run by a foreign company, the underlying real estate will be titled to PNR so that's why PNR is the acquiring institution.


Heads should roll. Sack the PNR chief. We're sick of things being so slow in this country.

Ultimately the Right of way is the responsibility of the PNR for while the project is funded and even run by a foreign company, the underlying real estate will be titled to PNR so that's why PNR is the acquiring institution.


Ahh interesting things must have changed. The PNR had told me that they had lost it all north of Caloocan and that they were quite peeved by the whole thing.
At least the proposed Southrail will be done differently.

Thanks for the update.

Brad

Heads should roll. Sack the PNR chief. We're sick of things being so slow in this country.

Yes thank you for that delightful outburst, as uninformed as it was.

Now lets see.

If I was the government and said to you that the PNR is now yours to run. Then I was going to give you P100,000 pesos to run it for a year.

With this P100,000 pesos how will you best use it to upgrade the system and make it what it should be?

New rollingstock?
New locomotives?
Freight rollingstock?
Reopen the line to Batangas?
Upgrade stations?
Fix up tracks?
Perhaps bebuild the damaged sections in Bicol?

Oh one second, the government only gave you P100,000 to spend. I can't even do the first one.

This is what it is like for the PNR management. They have many great ideas but they can't even get government funding to keep them running day to day, let along make the huge changes needed.
This is why the PNR is where it is today.
We can't gauge the managers uselessness under these conditions. He must be allowed to prove himself before being condemned.

Brad

Ultimately the Right of way is the responsibility of the PNR for while the project is funded and even run by a foreign company, the underlying real estate will be titled to PNR so that's why PNR is the acquiring institution.

If I may be able to expand on this more.
They say they are aquiring rights of way. Are they going on a ROW different to the former line in some areas to involve this aquisition?
Aquisition would suggest purchase. If it was to be along the current ROW they would only need to reposess the formation from the informal settlers.
I just hope all this bollocks dosen't damage Southrail or any minimal chance we had for Panay.

Brad

Yes thank you for that delightful outburst, as uninformed as it was.

Now lets see.

If I was the government and said to you that the PNR is now yours to run. Then I was going to give you P100,000 pesos to run it for a year.

With this P100,000 pesos how will you best use it to upgrade the system and make it what it should be?

New rollingstock?
New locomotives?
Freight rollingstock?
Reopen the line to Batangas?
Upgrade stations?
Fix up tracks?
Perhaps bebuild the damaged sections in Bicol?

Oh one second, the government only gave you P100,000 to spend. I can't even do the first one.

This is what it is like for the PNR management. They have many great ideas but they can't even get government funding to keep them running day to day, let along make the huge changes needed.
This is why the PNR is where it is today.
We can't gauge the managers uselessness under these conditions. He must be allowed to prove himself before being condemned.

Brad

hehehehe, I'm glad you find my outbursts delighting Brad. You are suggesting that the government doesn't provide adequate funding but Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said himself we've got the money. Let me re- quote him for you:

"Government agencies were used to our money-scarcity culture so that now that we have a lot of money, we are almost always surprised that we have them and that's why we act so slowly,"

hehehehe, I'm glad you find my outbursts delighting Brad. You are suggesting that the government doesn't provide adequate funding but Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said himself we've got the money. Let me re- quote him for you:


He may well have the money 'NOW' but how much has been going to the PNR over the last 15 years to be spent on upkeep and development?
Indeed its all private funding now that is seeing the north and connecting lines funded.
If they have so much pera, why havent they thrown it some the PNR managers way to fund the fixing of a bridge and reinstatment of the Carmona branchline?
The money hasn't been forthcoming for this and the government wont even allow the question on their own forum for fear of having to answer it.

Brad

He may well have the money 'NOW' but how much has been going to the PNR over the last 15 years to be spent on upkeep and development?
Indeed its all private funding now that is seeing the north and connecting lines funded.
If they have so much pera, why havent they thrown it some the PNR managers way to fund the fixing of a bridge and reinstatment of the Carmona branchline?
The money hasn't been forthcoming for this and the government wont even allow the question on their own forum for fear of having to answer it.

Brad

Whatever happened in the last 15 years is not an excuse for not doing what needs to be done at present. What's important is we have the money now. This money is enough for the North Rail project to push through.

Unless of course Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri is lying or mistaken about the funding going to where it is supposed to be. If this is the case, then this would be a major scandal as President Arroyo herself is hell bent on completing her promised infrastructure projects on time.

Kindly let us know here on SSC if you have any "knowledge" of funding for this project that has not really been properly appropriated as most of us here just want these projects completed. I'm sure President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself and most of her cabinet members would welcome such information as she is probably getting frustrated with the fact that her infrastructure projects (which she was boasting on her State of the Nation Address) keep on being delayed.

PNR has nothing to do with northrail......PNR is handling though the upgrade of the existing line from caloocan to alabang that would link the north rail with the south rail ... don't ask for the head of the PNR chief yet..hehe

Oh ok, hehehehe, I won't. So the following is wrong you think?

Ultimately the Right of way is the responsibility of the PNR for while the project is funded and even run by a foreign company, the underlying real estate will be titled to PNR so that's why PNR is the acquiring institution.

My instinct tells me that the Chinese being a foreign company would have no right in terms of acquiring land in the Philippines.

PNR has nothing to do with northrail......PNR is handling though the upgrade of the existing line from caloocan to alabang that would link the north rail with the south rail ... don't ask for the head of the PNR chief yet..hehe

This is exactly what PNR management have told me to.

The other poster seems to have my postings confused. I am not talking about Northrail, I am talking about PNR. I don't remember mentioning anything to the effect of funds for Northrail which are coming from the Chinese.

I'm talking about funds for PNR. Funds for station rebuilds, yard development, freight haulage development, equipment upgrades.
The PNR has long wanted more funding and has NOT got it. They get it in dribbles and you can't run a railway like that.

I have no idea where the idea comes from that I am talking about Northrail.

Brad

My instinct tells me that the Chinese being a foreign company would have no right in terms of acquiring land in the Philippines.

Your instinct is correct.

They wont be owning the land upon which they will be operating. They cannot own Philippine land no more so than I can (much to my regret).
The have the right to build, operate and apparently eventually transfer to the Philippine government at a set period of time.

Brad

Whatever happened in the last 15 years is not an excuse for not doing what needs to be done at present. .


What the????

Where did I say this?

I already asked where the money for the Carmona line is with all this money they have got.
Certainly can't see any mention I made about the money not being used because it hasn't in the past.

Since the Chinese are forking our for Northrail perhaps the government, with all this money for PNR, can do Southrail and Panay themselves. Why are they still waiting for money from overseas?

Oh ok, hehehehe, I won't. So the following is wrong you think?

"Quote:
Ultimately the Right of way is the responsibility of the PNR for while the project is funded and even run by a foreign company, the underlying real estate will be titled to PNR so that's why PNR is the acquiring institution.
"

.


Possibly not.
If PNR remains the title holder they would possibly take possesion (government decision pending) of the system at the completion of any BOT agreement.
The catch 22 is that PNR really needs to exhibit an ability to keep it going, which they can only do through the ability to run their current services, which they can only do with ongoing funding.

This may be easier to achieve if, as currently planned, Southrail is totally funded by overseas interests and PNR operate the system for them, as opposed to Northrail where they are to operate it themselves.

Hehe.. I saw the arguement VP de Castro had with the railroad residents of Manila...

My only comment to it was: "So what if you voted for de Castro? That doesn't automatically make you the owner of that piece of land where the PNR road stands."

Possibly not.
If PNR remains the title holder they would possibly take possesion (government decision pending) of the system at the completion of any BOT agreement.
The catch 22 is that PNR really needs to exhibit an ability to keep it going, which they can only do through the ability to run their current services, which they can only do with ongoing funding.

This may be easier to achieve if, as currently planned, Southrail is totally funded by overseas interests and PNR operate the system for them, as opposed to Northrail where they are to operate it themselves.

Obviously, the ally of PNR is the national government.

What the????

Where did I say this?




Take it easy. Let me quote what you've said:

"He may well have the money 'NOW' but how much has been going to the PNR over the last 15 years to be spent on upkeep and development?"



I already asked where the money for the Carmona line is with all this money they have got.
Certainly can't see any mention I made about the money not being used because it hasn't in the past.

Since the Chinese are forking our for Northrail perhaps the government, with all this money for PNR, can do Southrail and Panay themselves. Why are they still waiting for money from overseas?

I have no idea what you are talking about Alcol. My first statement which you've disputed is a mere reaction to what Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said (as quoted in the news article above) which I assume to be correct. As I have implied, I am open to the possibility that maybe you are right and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri is either lying or does not know what he is talking about. And like I've said if this maybe the case, maybe you could share to us some of your knowledge that would substantiate the idea that Neri is lying and PNR is not getting the budget that it should be getting to do its Northrail job. As I have said, I believe even President Arroyo would really appreciate such information as she is intent on completing her infra projects on time.

taken from inquirer.net.. really great news.. this means that the government is really serious.. hopefully no local official with do any grandstanding to 'protect' their constituents..

Eviction looms for railways folk

By Allison Lopez
Inquirer
Last updated 02:59am (Mla time) 07/12/2007

MANILA, Philippines – Say goodbye to “homes along da riles” in Manila. About 5,000 families living beside the railway tracks in Sta. Mesa, Pandacan and Sampaloc will be evicted in the next few weeks as the Philippine National Railways (PNR) begins its Southrail Rehabilitation Program (SRP).

Some residents in Sampaloc yesterday claimed they were assured they could remain in the area, but Vice President Noli de Castro said they had no choice but to remove every structure within 15 meters of the tracks because the Korean contractor of the project had insisted on it.

“Former officials asked us to stop the relocation, but this time, there would be no more postponement,” De Castro said.

The Vice President, who is also chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, yesterday met with affected residents in Pandacan where demolition operations have already started, before proceeding to Sampaloc.

With him were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, PNR General Manager Jose Maria Sarasola and National Housing Authority General Manager Rico Laxa.

In Pandacan, De Castro said relocated families were given a new lease in life because apart from being given affordable house and lots, they were transferred to sites that had schools, health centers and police precincts. The relocation sites include Cabuyao, Laguna; Trece Martires, Cavite; and Bulacan.

Lim, meanwhile, asked the residents to support the Vice President’s program as he assured them that their relocation to Trece Martires, Cavite, was “for their own good.”

Sampaloc residents, however, said they would rather move to Cabuyao, Laguna, instead of Cavite because of better facilities and job opportunities. De Castro, however, said this was unlikely since around 8,000 people had already been relocated there.

To my knowledge , Northrail or the old PNR North Line along Bulacan has no change in alignment. It's possible that the expropriation is , widening the tracks and easement in certain places, a bigger yard , and larger stations.

^^ hello!!! guys....long time no see!!!!

THANKS FOR THE PHOTOS!!!!:banana:

And like I've said if this maybe the case, maybe you could share to us some of your knowledge that would substantiate the idea that Neri is lying and PNR is not getting the budget that it should be getting to do its Northrail job. As I have said, I believe even President Arroyo would really appreciate such information as she is intent on completing her infra projects on time.

Dude,
I am not suggesting anyone is lying about having money.
I am talking about lines that PNR actually have responsibility for (lets exclude the liklihood that PNR may still hold title for the actual land Northrail will be running on) at the moment.
Since Northrail has taken upon itself to fund, build and operate Northrail, I can't see why PNR is getting any funding for it. Someone should perhaps tell PNR because they were certainly not aware of this in March.
PNRs current areas of responsibility would be:

Tutuban-Legazpi (Services suspended beyond Binan)
Tutuban to Port (services suspended)
Carmona line (services suspended)

Koreans have come in and started funding the linkage project while, hopefully, someone will come and fund Southrail through to Legazpi and the further extension.

Now PNR dosen't need all that very much to fix a bridge to reopen the Carmona line (which they wish to do). Given the Koreans are forking out for the linkage project and the Chinese for Northrail, why then is all this money that PNR has apparently got not even enough to spend on getting one bridge repaired?
Has anything been done with this money to reopen to Legazpi? No from reports coming in, it actuially seeems nothing has been done.

So recaping.

Northrail: Paid for by Chinese
Linkage: Caloocan-Calamba - This time the Koreans.

Why would PNR be getting funding for something being paid for by someone else? Surely they should be getting funding for things that aren't already being funded, but I am haing trouble seeing where it is being spent.

But perhaps thats just me :-)

Brad
** Please put up with any spelling errors, we had a HUGGGE Filipino party last night :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Obviously, the ally of PNR is the national government.


Oh and what a wonderful ally they have been over the year. They have certainly looked after them well. :ohno:

To my knowledge , Northrail or the old PNR North Line along Bulacan has no change in alignment. It's possible that the expropriation is , widening the tracks and easement in certain places, a bigger yard , and larger stations.

Morning Bustero,
It would certainly be nice to see some effort made to easy curves in locations to boost speeds a bit.
With Northrails intention to run freight (from all reports) they must have already looked into some yards which, as you say, would require aquiring land.
I've tried to email the Northrail Corp a few times with these sorts of questions but hey never respond. This they certainly have in common with PNR :) Hmmmmm the LRT and MRT as well. Very frustrating hey. :bash:

If PNR (operating for the funders of Southrail) and Northrail both get heavily into freight there could well be a big bottleneck in that line to the port.
I also wonder if they will actually end up regreting closing their magnificent Tutuban station and replacing is with that bit of concrete, thus also much truncating the amount of room in their main yard?

Despite the bit of friction at the moment, I think we (Jonno and the others) can all certainly agree that the next 10 years will be VERY interesting.

I personally love to see this sort of heavy debate.I've despaired for many years that people just didn't care less about the PNR I have developed such a huge interest in. This sort of debate makes me realise that this is not the case.

Great stuff.

Brad

^^ GOOD DAY GUYS!!!!^^

Wow! what a great thread...advancing 3 pages/day..ha ha ha!:)

Thank you guys for the suggestions..most specially to our friend BRAD...Thank you so much for your unending friendship to Filipino People through your website about Philippine Railways...It so cool and very nice and educational..Everything you want to know about PNR is already there from tracks to rollings stocks to timetables and latest projects...WOW!!!!:banana: Its a perfect site for students making thesis about Philippine Railways....:okay:

To my knowledge , Northrail or the old PNR North Line along Bulacan has no change in alignment. It's possible that the expropriation is , widening the tracks and easement in certain places, a bigger yard , and larger stations.


That's right!!! 100% I agree...Northrail is absolutely a brand new infrastructure using the existing old PNR ROW..Therefore their design conformes to what is needed today and to what is expected in the future...Sure that they will need a large stations to accommodate big volumes of passengers and cargoes..In each of these stations they will build track sidings that will facilitate simultaneous operations of (ordinary, express and rapid) passenger and cargo trains..The original design was only 2 sidings and 1 main line with 1 platform in minor stations...

Info's shows that Cargo is the lifesaver of Northrail and Southrail..My little analysis shows that 75% of the revenues will come from freight...plus courier and mail services...

That right...the bottleneck will be in the port lines..(Manila, Subic, Batangas, Mauban and Matnog)..Manila is the gateway of Metropolis, Subic is the transhipment hub of Luzon Asian Side, Mauban in the Pacific Side, Batangas in Central Visayas and Matnog is the gateway of Bicol to Western Visayas....Economic activity in this corridor will be so great making it one of the largest logistic areas in Asia....Eventually Northrail and Southrail will be needing additional ROW and Bigger Yards as much as they can for their freight trains and probably double tracking for most of their portlines....

Morning Bustero,
It would certainly be nice to see some effort made to easy curves in locations to boost speeds a bit.
With Northrails intention to run freight (from all reports) they must have already looked into some yards which, as you say, would require aquiring land.
I've tried to email the Northrail Corp a few times with these sorts of questions but hey never respond. This they certainly have in common with PNR :) Hmmmmm the LRT and MRT as well. Very frustrating hey. :bash:

If PNR (operating for the funders of Southrail) and Northrail both get heavily into freight there could well be a big bottleneck in that line to the port.
I also wonder if they will actually end up regreting closing their magnificent Tutuban station and replacing is with that bit of concrete, thus also much truncating the amount of room in their main yard?

Despite the bit of friction at the moment, I think we (Jonno and the others) can all certainly agree that the next 10 years will be VERY interesting.

I personally love to see this sort of heavy debate.I've despaired for many years that people just didn't care less about the PNR I have developed such a huge interest in. This sort of debate makes me realise that this is not the case.

Great stuff.

Brad

It is not a surprise if they wont reply to you. Aside from PNR acquiring land and right of way, we need to find new people or improve capacity building in terms of quality human resources. There was this case shown on TV when purchasing was losing materials in the stockyard and was procuring oil through a broker and not a low price. There must be change not only in leadership but also the quality of the people.

PICTURE NAMAN SA NORTHRAIL DEVELOPMENT GUYS!!!plssssssssss

Let's be patient. :D This is also the project I'm looking forward to the most. When is the target completion? 2011-2012?

guys...clarificatory info.... northrail project is from caloocan towards malolos then up to clark then to la union...it has nothing to do with the demolition in sta mesa...that is another projects of the government with south korean funding...that is the north-south interconnection project...that will link the north rail with the south rail....the gov't really seems to have cash these days its able to mount all these projects...(these projects need counterpart funding you know) its only now with GMA... i cannot understand why the whiners can't see.... that the economy is better off now than in the previous administrations..

Iyon bang previous administrations ang dahilan kaya ka nakalbo? :lol: :lol:

^^ Hello Guys...Additional INFO.....

PHILIPPINE RAILWAY MODERNIZATION PROGRAM

NORTHRAIL PROJECT (Chinese Funded):
Phase 1 Section 1: Caloocan to Malolos 32km 2009
Phase 1 Section 2: Malolos to Clark 48km 2010
Phase 2: Clark to Subic 50km(New!!!) 2011
Phase 3: Caloocan to Fort Bonifacio 12km 2011 Priority Project
Phase 4: Clark to San Fernando, La Union to Poropoint 140km 2012
NORTHRAIL PIPELINE:
San Fernando to Loag 200km(New!!!) Planning Stage
Bulacan to San Jose 50km(Rehab) Planning Stage
Tarlac to Cabanatuan to Tuguegarao 50km+300km(Rehab & New!!!) Planning Stage
Loag to Tuguegarao 100+km(New!!!) Planning Stage

LINKAGE PROJECT (Korean Funded):
Phase 1: Caloocan to Alabang 34km(Rehab) July 2008
Phase 2: Alabang to Calamba 27km(Rehab) 2009

PNR SOUTHRAIL PROJECT(Chinese Funded):
Phase 1a: Calamba to Lucena 70km(Rehab) 2009
Phase 1b: Lucena to Camalig to Legazpi 350km(Rehab) 2010
Phase 2: Camalig to Matnog, Sorsogon 125km(New!!!) 2012
SOUTHRAIL PIPELINE:
Calamba to Batangas 50km(New tracks, old ROW) Priority Project Completion ???
Calamba to Sta. Cruz to Mauban (LABART Project) 50km+45km(Rehab & New!!!) Priority Project Competion ???

HAVE A NICE DAY!!!!

^hwoow.. Calamba to Sta. Cruz(Laguna)? I-rerevive na nila yung old rails nun? nice. :D

^^ Hello Guys...Additional INFO.....

NORTHRAIL PROJECT (Chinese Funded):
Phase 1 Section 1: Caloocan to Malolos 32km
Phase 1 Section 2: Malolos to Clark 48km
Phase 2: Clark to Subic 50km(New!!!)
Phase 3: Caloocan to Fort Bonifacio 12km
Phase 4: Clark to San Fernando, La Union to Poropoint 140km
NORTHRAIL PIPELINE:
San Fernando to Loag 200km(New!!!)
Bulacan to San Jose 50km(Rehab)
Tarlac to Cabanatuan to Tuguegarao 50km+300km(Rehab & New!!!)
Loag to Tuguegarao 100+km(New!!!)

LINKAGE PROJECT (Korean Funded):
Phase 1: Caloocan to Alabang 34km(Rehab)
Phase 2: Alabang to Calamba 27km(Rehab)

PNR SOUTHRAIL PROJECT(Chinese Funded):
Phase 1a: Calamba to Lucena 70km(Rehab)
Phase 1b: Lucena to Camalig to Legazpi 350km(Rehab)
Phase 2: Camalig to Matnog, Sorsogon 125km(New!!!)
SOUTHRAIL PIPELINE:
Calamba to Batangas 50km(New tracks, old ROW)
Calamba to Sta. Cruz to Mauban (LABART Project) 50km+45km(Rehab & New!!!)(

HAVE A NICE DAY!!!!

Thanks for the info. When is the completion dates?

Railroad work starts Friday (http://www.bworldonline.com/)




Major construction work on 34-kilometer Northrail-Southrail linkage project is expected to begin Friday, with five key railway-side areas already cleared of informal settlers.

New tracks for the Caloocan-to-Alabang line could be laid in places where clearance operations have been most successful, like Makati, Philippine National Railways (PNR) Assistant General Manager Rafael S. Mosura said in a phone interview yesterday.

An official from the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council said the agency has so far cleared intermittent segments in Makati City, and Paco, San Andres, Sta. Mesa and Pandacan, all in Manila.

"Minor clearing work already started on the ground on July 9," he said. "We wrote to the contractors we want to see the real work beginning on July 20."

Mr. Mosura said the PNR expects to see equipment and workers in place by the end of the week with the release of $14.7 million in advance payment on June 29. — Maria Kristina C. Conti

any renderings for the stations?

An idea on how some portions of the southrail would look like....

^^ A sample crossection view of a 30m ROW double track railroad(15m each from the alignment center)...I think this is a standard guage (1435mm) double track with easement and enbankment..See how they landscape this portion...:)

http://www.railway-technical.com/Track-construction-x-section.gif

sinabi mo pa....anyways...you're assuming i am kalbo...maybe a some parts of me...hehe... ok....going back to railways...

An idea on how some portions of the southrail would look like....

^^ A sample crossection view of a 30m ROW double track railroad(15m each from the alignment center)...I think this is a standard guage (1435mm) double track with easement and enbankment..See how they landscape this portion...:)

http://www.railway-technical.com/Track-construction-x-section.gif

i don't think this will be the design for the north and south rail....they shifted to diesel powered...coaches...

THOSE WERE THE DAYS! Part1.....


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THOSE WERE THE DAYS!
Part2.....



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i don't think this will be the design for the north and south rail....they shifted to diesel powered...coaches...

But eventually they will electrify the lines...maybe after some years of operation......Of course for starters...its very practical to use diesel electric....powered train..like the currently one were using....

^^ New Zealand Train in a narrow guage track 1067mm running 100kph...
Same locomotive to PNR....:banana:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aevqg-xWAXE

wheel of steel: Are all of those informal settlers relocated now?

NORTHRAIL PROJECT

Project Description:

The Northrail Project will provide efficient transport service for passengers and goods between Metro Manila and Central and Northern Luzon, particularly between former military bases which has been converted and developed into industrial, commercial and tourism estates (Fort Bonifacio, Clark Air Base, Subic Naval Base and Poro Point). The railway system is expected to enhance the development and growth potential of these areas.

Phase I of the Northrail Project will cover an 80-kilometer rail line between Caloocan City in Manila to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga.

Other phases will involve the construction of:

Phase II – branch line to Subic Freeport Zone
Phase III – extension to Bonifacio Global City
Phase IV – extension to Poro Point Special Economic Zone, San Fernando, La Union

The initial phase of the Northrail Project entails the reconstruction and upgrading of the line from the existing CaloocanStation to the DMIA at the CSEZ. This was born out of a plan to reactivate rail service to the North to develop the CSEZ as Asia-Pacific’s regional transshipment logistics hub. Phase I is further divided into two sections: Section 1 from Caloocan to Malolos and Section 2 from Malolos to DMIA.

Features of Phase 1 Section 1 of the Northrail Project:

Type of trains Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs)
Number of DMUs 21 DMUs
Number of Tracks Double track (separate tracks for north and south bound trains to allow for simultaneous operation)
Track Gauge Narrow gauge (1067 mm gauge similar to existing track gauge of the South Rail to allow for interconnection/connectivity of the North and South Rail Projects) will require Right-of-Way acquisition with width of at least 30 meters (15 meters per track).
Operating Speed Approximately 80 t0 130 kph (for Inter-Urban Service)
Total Track Length 32.2 kilometers
Travel Time Approximately 32 minutes (with 3 minutes headway)
No. of Stations & Depot 6 train stations (Caloocan, Valenzuela, Marilao, Bocaue, Guiguinto, Malolos) and 1 depot in Valenzuela

Projections:

Total Project Cost (Est.) : US$503.04 million
Construction Period (Est.) : 3 years

Proposed Financing Plan for PRC ODA to the Project through the China National Machinery and Equipment Group (CNMEG):

Foreign Counterpart 95% of project cost
Interest Rate 3% per annum
Loan Repayment Period 20 years (inclusive of 5 years grace period)
Estimated daily number of passengers 41,186 passengers per day (based on an estimate that the Northrail System would only be able to attract 25% of total number of commuters estimated at 164,745 passengers commuting daily in the north and south bound directions)
Estimated farebox structure P10.00 boarding fee plus P1 per kilometer or
a total fare of P42.00 from Caloocan to Malolos or vice versa

ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR $503 MILLION NORTHRAIL

With the ground breaking rites held last April 5, it's all systems go for the construction of the $503 million North Rail Transit that will initially cover Caloocan to Malolos, Bulacan but eventually reach up to Ilocos, North Luzon Railways Corporation (Northrail) President Jose L. Cortes, Jr. said.

The North Luzon Railways Project Phase I Section I, spans 32.2 kilometers from from Caloocan to Malolos. The project will have six stations namely: Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela (main depot), Bocaue, Marilao and Malolos.

Cortes said for the first time in Philippine railway history, the country will have a double track system. "This will result in simultaneous rail operations in both the north and south bound tracks," he said.

The project also includes reviving the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Main Line North which has been non-operational for more than 25 years.

The Northrail will have a diesel powered train capable of a top speed of 120 kph but will cruise at speeds of 80 to 100 kph. Maximum travel time from Caloocan to Malolos will be 45 minutes which compared to buses which average 145 minutes of travel time for the same route.

Cortes said the initial fare rate will be P10 boarding fare plus P1 for every kilometer for a total fare of P42 from Caloocan to Malolos. "This is very much cheaper than other land-based transportation averaging P70," he pointed out.

He said the Northrail Project is part of the Strong Republic Transit System composed of various railway projects around the country. He said at the start of Northrail's initial operations, passengers would be able to interconnect with the Southrail and eventually with LRT-1 and MRT-3 without having to get out of the common terminal in Caloocan.

He said of the $503 million, $421 million will be funded by the Chinese Government through the Export-Import Bank of China under very concessional terms. The terms include 20 years repayment period inclusive of a five-year grace period at three percent interest rate. "This is the first of its kind from China," noted Cortes.

The remaining $82 million will be funded by the Philippine government as counterpart fund which would already incorporate expenses for squatter relocation.

Northrail Corp. has signed a contract with China National Machinery and Equipment Group to undertake the construction of the project. Cortes said target completion date for the project is on 2007. He added that Northrail is expected to spur economic growth in both Central Luzon and Metro Manila with the faster delivery of goods and services, alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila and improve Metro Manila's environmental condition.

The North Luzon Railways Corporation is a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA

wheel of steel: Are all of those informal settlers relocated now?

:) Ahh....absolutely yes!!!....definitely....wala na pong mga squatter sa ngayon...Memories na lang po e2 mga photos....he he he he....

Kunbaga.....SOUVENIER PICTURES!!!!!....HE HE HE HE EHE EHE HU UBO!!!!!:nuts:

I think these photos were taken last 2005 pa...I just got it from the internet...Its already 100% free of squatters from Sales Interchange, near Taguig up to Sta. Mesa Manila NOW!!!!.Approx...9km of squatter free na...Baka sa Friday...baka magdedebut na ang Southrail......YESSSSS!!!!THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION..... Finally up to Bicol na....YESSSS!!!!:banana:

PICTURE NAMAN SA NORTHRAIL DEVELOPMENT GUYS!!!plssssssssss

^^ RELAX LANG PO HA......basta I will provide pictures of NORTHRAIL when I get there sa Manila...promise!!!!....Im so excited na rin kc eh!!!....NAGUMPISA NA PO ANG NORTHRAIL last year pa.....

Hmmm....may nakausap ako na tga NHA....Ginagamit na raw ung drilling machine ng northrail sa pghukay ng pile footing...hmmm....confirmed!!!! At least ginagawa na nila ung station sa Caloocan...Ang drilling machine kc ang pinakamadaling gamiting sa paghukay ng foundation....Remember guys!! mas matagal ang paggawa ng station kaysa sa railroad tracks....Syempre uunahin muna nila mga stations.....:okay:

thanks tol,wait ko yan hah !! ingatz

^^ RELAX LANG PO HA......basta I will provide pictures of NORTHRAIL when I get there sa Manila...promise!!!!....Im so excited na rin kc eh!!!....NAGUMPISA NA PO ANG NORTHRAIL last year pa.....

Hmmm....may nakausap ako na tga NHA....Ginagamit na raw ung drilling machine ng northrail sa pghukay ng pile footing...hmmm....confirmed!!!! At least ginagawa na nila ung station sa Caloocan...Ang drilling machine kc ang pinakamadaling gamiting sa paghukay ng foundation....Remember guys!! mas matagal ang paggawa ng station kaysa sa railroad tracks....Syempre uunahin muna nila mga stations.....:okay:

eagerly waiting.....for your pics....thaanks for the effort....

sana nga tuluy-tuloy na yan... yan ang kelangan natin... effective and efficient mass transpo system... :banana:

Parañaque sets relocation of PNR squatters

By RHODINA VILLANUEVA
The Philippine Star
Jul 19, 2007

The Parañaque City is preparing for the relocation of around 1,650 squatter families that will be displaced once clearing operations starts at the Philippine National Railway (PNR).

The clearing operations and relocation of informal settlers in Barangay San Martin de Porres will give way to the modernization of the South Luzon Railway System.

“We will be setting guidelines to ensure the peaceful dismantling of the houses and orderly transfer of residents to designated relocation sites,” said Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe, adding that the clearing operations will have to be completed within three months.

He said the city government has in fact been following the guidelines under the Community Mortgage Program to ascertain the legitimacy of the affected residents and at the same time ask them to indicate their preferred relocation sites.

Under the program, it is the responsibility of the local government units to find the most suitable relocation sites for the affected residents.

“So far majority of those who were interviewed have indicated their preference for (relocation site) San Pedro, Laguna due to its relative proximity to their workplaces and sources of livelihood,” Bernabe said.

However, Vice-President Noli de Castro said that he would not recommend the existing relocation site in San Pedro, Laguna because it is close to an open garbage dump which is hazardous to the health and well-being of the families.

De Castro, instead offered Biñan, Laguna or Trece Martires City in Cavite where settlers are currently being provided with ready-for-occupancy houses on free home lots measuring 100 to 125 square meters each with water and electric services.

The recipients would only need to amortize the cost of the houses at a monthly rate of P200 for five years, plus the cost of their individual water and electricity consumption.

De Castro added that schools, public markets, shopping centers are accessible to these relocation sites through public utility vehicles.

He recently met Bernabe and they assessed the progress of the local government’s effort to prepare the families in Barangay San Martin de Porres for eventual relocation.

Bernabe said that the city government is dealing with seven homeowners’ associations and one traders’ group in the 2.5 to 3-kilometer strip in the said barangay.

De Castro said he will engage in a dialogue with the trader’s group—majority of whom have built concrete structures in their present locations.

Some businessmen claimed that their structures are located partly on the PNR property and partly on private land and have expressed fears over the possibility that the structures of these business establishments will be demolished without due compensation.

“The Vice-President also said that eventually four railroad tracks will be built and indicated that a 15-meter space on each side of the tracks will be needed for safety reasons. However, he did any indicate any time line concerning this phase of the PNR expansion program,” Bernabe added.

I can hardly wait for the revival of the North and South Rail. I've ridden on trains here in the US and other countries and riding a train across different towns or cities is very nice compared to riding a bus or a plane. The last time I rode a train to Bicol was in the 1960s pa, from Tutuban to Naga City. :lol:


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AMtrak Surfliner

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Bathroom

Pray a little bit longer na lang hehe at maumpisahan na both north and south.

Actually am very interested to note the final DMU design for both North and South.A long time ago I posted the Chinese and Korean Versions of their DMU's but we won't really know till they show us which cars their actually bringing in .

^^ GOOD DAY TO ALL!!!!^^

hmmm....teka!!! parang naiimagine ko na kung ano ang magiging itsura ng DMU sa Northrail....

Probably the design would be a DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) train that can sooner be converted to EMU (Electric Multiple Units)..100% new design and although the body maker of the train will be from China, I think the machine they will be using will come from Japan, preferably Hitachi...

With regards to Southrail...Rotem will definitely alter their DMU better than the one in Thailand which recently Ive posted on this thread..And also with a design that will be converted to EMU without that much cost..

Very intriguing talaga itong thread natin...very nice!!!

IM SO HAPPY!!!!:banana:

^^ GOOD DAY GUYS!!!!^^

Wow! what a great thread...advancing 3 pages/day..ha ha ha!:)

Thank you guys for the suggestions..most specially to our friend BRAD...Thank you so much for your unending friendship to Filipino People through your website about Philippine Railways...It so cool and very nice and educational..Everything you want to know about PNR is already there from tracks to rollings stocks to timetables and latest projects...WOW!!!!:banana: Its a perfect site for students making thesis about Philippine Railways....:okay:


Hi Wheel of Steel,
Thanks for your very kind words. I love both the country and its people.
Actually I get a lot of students wanting to join the Philippine Railway forum as well. Seems a lot of interest in doing their thesis on this.
Latest project I am working on is an Australasian e-zine to try to correct a lack of information on the railways of asia down here. I will of course be filling full of Philippine stuff :)

Best wishes
Brad

:)

Kunbaga.....SOUVENIER PICTURES!!!!!....HE HE HE HE EHE EHE HU UBO!!!!!:nuts:

I think these photos were taken last 2005 pa...I just got it from the internet...Its already 100% free of squatters from Sales Interchange, near Taguig up to Sta. Mesa Manila NOW!!!!.Approx...9km of squatter free na...Baka sa Friday...baka magdedebut na ang Southrail......YESSSSS!!!!THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION..... Finally up to Bicol na....YESSSS!!!!:banana:

I certainly took all the souvenier pictures I could get on my recent trip. Hung over the front railing of locomotive 5002 and photographed each station, bridge and squatter area from Alabang to Tutuban.
While it needs to be done, its a famous part of Manila life that will soon be gone forever (well the plan is forever anyway).

Brad

THOSE WERE THE DAYS! Part1.....




WOS,
Thanks for the photos, brought back some great memories.
Good to see my ol fave, the mysterious 916, on a passenger train. Sadly she is now stranded down Lucena and can't get back to Manila.

Brad

clearing operations at sta mesa., in front of PUP Manila.


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Richard,
Is this photograph taken by you? I am wondering if I can use it in out new Australasian railway e-zine if possible. It would of course be credited to you.
Salamat
Brad

makes me more anxious and excited at the same time....by the looks of it...the very things that was said before that could never be done...is now actually happening.... moving the informal settlers to where they should be...out of harms way....and making manila...beautiful...at the same time...

^^ amen to that

long live the Philippine railways...!!! :)

well, these thing would not have happened if the economy is not doing good...kudos to our small but terrible president...the economy is doing good...of course marami pa dapat gawin....pero at least now...we are really starting to move.....airports, ports, roads, beautification projects....sana tuloy tuloy na ito para pati poverty mabawasan na....

^^ The plan of the government is to build a central station in the Monumento area linking Northrail and Southrail and the MRT-LRT loop.

^^ Yes...they will build a station in Caloocan....but not in Monumento..It will be not so large but will have multiplatforms to accomodate more trains at a time..Since the Caloocan Station will be the transhipment point in the North, the commuter trains plying North ends here...I think the The Fort Bonifacio will have the same the design as that of the Caloocan Station...The Grand Station will be in Taguig as the government already mentioned several times..The PNR will use its huge property in Taguig near Bicutan area for that purpose..Aside from the railway terminal, they will also build an intermodal transport hub for the entire Metro Manila..

^^ ^^ ^^

There's going to be a central station (depot) in Valenzuela.

^^ ^^ ^^

There's going to be a central station (depot) in Valenzuela.

Definitely there will be a depot(garage) and turntable in Valenzuela for their Northrail Trains and Locomotives.. I think they will transfer their depot in Caloocan to Valenzuela to pave way for the construction of the Much Bigger Caloocan Station but not so grand...

Those delaying infrastructure developments should be charged with economic sabotage cause it is economic sabotage.

Those delaying infrastructure developments should be charged with economic sabotage cause it is economic sabotage.

^^ YESSS!!! Dapat lang parusahan ang mga yan.....
Great country like us deserves fast services......

question! anung mangyayari sa PACO station

question! anung mangyayari sa PACO station

Paco station will just be repaired and will remain its exterior design..This is the only station in Manila to be preserved...although there will be some new alignment of railway tracks inside the station....