I hope they will build a station in the Triangular Shape Barangay because of its reasonable distance between Blumentrit and Tayuman plus another one between the Caloocan and Triangular Shape Brgy.

Triangular shaped barangay, would this be the ousing in the triangle junction for the nort, south and Tutuban lines?
Now I think about it, I wondr if they will wipe out all the housing within that triangle. I suspect that to will be a must.

On a separate note and one you could lkely answer.
It is obvious they are steaming ahead with the line to Alabang and Calamba, while work is expected to head on to Lucena straigh after.
Of the proposals for Sta Cruz and Batangas, has there been any actual 'official' notification been given that these lines will be done during President Gloria's term and while they are headed Lucena way with the rebuild?
These are two lines we wonder if they will forget about with a change of president.

Brad

Brad, hope you don't mind me asking, what made you so interested with the PNR of all the other railroads in the world????:)

Larry

Dang!!! What happened here :eek: I use to remember going to PUP by train, those waiting sheds were empty, I guess not anymore. Those freakin squatters are like rabbits huh...they just keep on growin...and growin....and growin.....:lol:

:cheers:
Larry

Agggghhhhh sounds just like my wifes plans for our family :lol:

In any case, if North Rail will be done 2010. South Rail should be done much faster since there is no track relaying. So when is the timetable for this then.

bustero,
Southrail will be all track relaying. They will rip up all the old stuff and start again in order to do it right. The old stuff couldn't possibly continue to be used, not even the stuff John Holland rebuilt which is rougher than that through Bluementritt to Laon Laan.
Its hard to believe how much newer the section from Sucat to Alabang is when you travel over it :ohno:
Anyway this is pretty much why the railway is to close for a while. They will rip it all out, regrade the ROW and then relay track with proper ballast one would hope.

Brad

Brad, hope you don't mind me asking, what made you so interested with the PNR of all the other railroads in the world????:)

Larry


Hiya Larry,
I don't mind you asking mate.

To be honest until I got married in 1998 (to a Pinay originally from Masbate) I had never given much thought to the railways of the Philippines. I did consider going there for a look in the early 90s but I had no internet then and learnt very little.
Anyway I married in 1998 and it became apparent that we would obviously have to go to the Phils to meet the new in laws and see if they approved of me (thankfully they seem to :lol: )
I did a bit of research on the net but there was nothing much back then and it was with just a little knowldege from a UK magazine that I headed to Manila.
First experience was Espana station. Railcars were still doing runs back then and Caloocan was served a couple of times a day. ICTSI still ran its container service and Legazpi was blessed with two services each night.
This started to spark and interest that fully ignited when I visited Tayuman and Caloocan workshops and began to learn how it was all in fast decline and that nobody expected there to be a PNR within five years.

All excited after my first visit (only two weeks) I went home determined to chnage the lack of information on the internet. I started the Philippine Railways website and a year later launched the Philippine Railway forum. Both have lead to me meeting many wonderful people both in the Philippines and overseas. The forum itself has a number of very knowledgeable people who seem to be walking encyclopedias of Philippine railway history.
This has all been despite my asawa telling me I will never find any Filipinos who are interested in their railways. Indeed the first local I found was a Pinay called Winter who lived in Makati.

The interest grew steadily and during my 2004 visit I met a few good people from PNR, one has become a family friend.

Today the railways of the Philippines have become one of my biggest interests.
To explain why I am not sure. I loved the idea of this railway that fought on despite the odds (very much like the Filipino) and continued to run. Coupled to this is my love of the country, the culture and the Filipino themselves.
It dosent have to be a huge, modern fast and efficient railway to be interesting. I also have much interest in Fiji railways, another system in decline.

While I am still interested in railways around Australia (especially narrow gauge and industrial ones), my main interest really seems to be directed to the Philippines for the reasons above.
If we are successful in getting the 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' I can see me devoting many of my future years to this project for the benefit of the country.

I hope this half explains it, its not an easy thing to answer I suppose. The interest was just there waiting to be started I suppose.

Its not even limited to the real thing either, below is where my Philippine model railway is going. Eagle eyed readers may recognise some items on the wall to the right :-)

Regards
Brad

http://www.geocities.com/philippinerailwayhistorical/Payatas1.jpg

^^ Hi! Guys....My own rendering of Malolos Station Station..ha ha ha..:lol:

Imaginary Malolos Northrail Station

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1293/1100145365_917cb105e0_o.jpg

^^ Hi! Guys....My own rendering of Malolos Station Station..ha ha ha..:lol:

Imaginary Malolos Northrail Station

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1293/1100145365_917cb105e0_o.jpg

Thats a great bit of drawing there Wheels.

Brad

^^ Another Imaginary Malolos Station Cross Section...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/1100653403_e4ccae1e9c_o.jpg

^^ Bicol Information from internet... 2002

FIRST BICOL RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT EYED BY RDC


Legaspi City - a first rail transport system outside of Metro Manila has been endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) to the National Government, this was disclosed by RDC chair and Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara. The project is eyed as local version of MRT in Manila using the Philippine National Railways (PNR) facilities, Bichara believed that in about four years traffic would be a major concern among the Bicol mainland. The BRT concept was presented to President Gloria Arroyo during her Peñafrancia fiesta visit here and has gained support. "The creation of Bicol Rail Transit (BRT) is tantamount to the rehabilitation of PNR at least within the Bicol route", Bichara said. RDC is optimistic that with BRT the PNR will again be patronized by riding public as its operation dwindling fast even with the rehabilitation in 1995. The group is currently finalizing budgetary allotment from different financing agencies including foreign aid. The BRT, if materializes will serve as commuters alternative for its cheap far, no traffic and comfort ride.

In similar news, President Arroyo during her recent trip to Sorsogon for the Kasanggayahan Festival 2001 bared that her administration is pushing for the realization of bringing train services to Sorsogon province, which was initiated by her father-president, the late Diosdado Macapagal. In addressing vast crowds she told that Speaker Jose de Venecia and the administration’s investment promotions program is looking for a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) investor to help revitalize the dream for train services to reach the southernmost Luzon province.

Hiya Larry,
I don't mind you asking mate.

To be honest until I got married in 1998 (to a Pinay originally from Masbate) I had never given much thought to the railways of the Philippines. I did consider going there for a look in the early 90s but I had no internet then and learnt very little.
Anyway I married in 1998 and it became apparent that we would obviously have to go to the Phils to meet the new in laws and see if they approved of me (thankfully they seem to :lol: )
I did a bit of research on the net but there was nothing much back then and it was with just a little knowldege from a UK magazine that I headed to Manila.
First experience was Espana station. Railcars were still doing runs back then and Caloocan was served a couple of times a day. ICTSI still ran its container service and Legazpi was blessed with two services each night.
This started to spark and interest that fully ignited when I visited Tayuman and Caloocan workshops and began to learn how it was all in fast decline and that nobody expected there to be a PNR within five years.

All excited after my first visit (only two weeks) I went home determined to chnage the lack of information on the internet. I started the Philippine Railways website and a year later launched the Philippine Railway forum. Both have lead to me meeting many wonderful people both in the Philippines and overseas. The forum itself has a number of very knowledgeable people who seem to be walking encyclopedias of Philippine railway history.
This has all been despite my asawa telling me I will never find any Filipinos who are interested in their railways. Indeed the first local I found was a Pinay called Winter who lived in Makati.

The interest grew steadily and during my 2004 visit I met a few good people from PNR, one has become a family friend.

Today the railways of the Philippines have become one of my biggest interests.
To explain why I am not sure. I loved the idea of this railway that fought on despite the odds (very much like the Filipino) and continued to run. Coupled to this is my love of the country, the culture and the Filipino themselves.
It dosent have to be a huge, modern fast and efficient railway to be interesting. I also have much interest in Fiji railways, another system in decline.

While I am still interested in railways around Australia (especially narrow gauge and industrial ones), my main interest really seems to be directed to the Philippines for the reasons above.
If we are successful in getting the 'Philippine Railway Historical Society' I can see me devoting many of my future years to this project for the benefit of the country.

I hope this half explains it, its not an easy thing to answer I suppose. The interest was just there waiting to be started I suppose.

Its not even limited to the real thing either, below is where my Philippine model railway is going. Eagle eyed readers may recognise some items on the wall to the right :-)

Regards
Brad

http://www.geocities.com/philippinerailwayhistorical/Payatas1.jpg

Thanks for the detailed info, appreciate it. And i thought, i was the only one who likes trains. I remember when i was a kid, people would ask me what i want to be when i grow up and i'll tell them that i want to be a train engineer, and they'll just laugh. After that, i just kept it to myself, until i got here in the US and that's when I found out that there's thousands if not millions who are railfans, both as a model hobby and the real thing.

BTW, one more inquiry to everybody. Are they going to make it Standard or still the original narrow gauge for the track renovation, and what's going to happen to the old rolling stock if ever???

:cheers:
Larry

Thanks for the detailed info, appreciate it. And i thought, i was the only one who likes trains. I remember when i was a kid, people would ask me what i want to be when i grow up and i'll tell them that i want to be a train engineer, and they'll just laugh. After that, i just kept it to myself, until i got here in the US and that's when I found out that there's thousands if not millions who are railfans, both as a model hobby and the real thing.

BTW, one more inquiry to everybody. Are they going to make it Standard or still the original narrow gauge for the track renovation, and what's going to happen to the old rolling stock if ever???

:cheers:
Larry


Larry

Gudam. They will retain the gauge but they will upgrade the rail to 50kg/m or 100lbs/yard. It will be much similar to the one LRT's and Megatren is using. But much smaller in size compared to those being used there in US which is 60kg/m or more. They will probably replace also the ties and regrade the whole strech of NS Link. They will also improve the signalling system, level crossings and modernize the stations.:)

WoS

Thanks for the detailed info, appreciate it. And i thought, i was the only one who likes trains. I remember when i was a kid, people would ask me what i want to be when i grow up and i'll tell them that i want to be a train engineer, and they'll just laugh. After that, i just kept it to myself, until i got here in the US and that's when I found out that there's thousands if not millions who are railfans, both as a model hobby and the real thing.

:cheers:
Larry


Hi Larry,
Yep around the world there are millions of railfans. Possibly the most intense amount of railfans per area would be the UK, followed then by America.
Not far down the list beyond this would be Australia which has thousands of railfans of their own.
As for asia, there are significant amounts of railwans in Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Korea, China, Japan and now it appears in the Philippines. No doubt they likely exist, quietly, in other countries as well.
Years ago, the job of rail engineer (we call train driver) in Australia was held in great asteem. To want to be a train driver was looked upon as being a fantastic aspiration. Nowdays it is somewhat less so.
Having talked to PNR people I have noticed that all are very proud and VERY loyal to the operation. Pay is often very late and not forthcoming, but most would never consider abandoning them. When we went for the cab ride from Alabang to Tutuban the driver told us it was the best job ever and he loved it.
What more could you want in life than to lov your job that much :)

Cheers
Brad
*** VALE: BAYWALK :ohno:

Laon Laan
{img]http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/2007_02_09_Laon_Laan_Station_Brad_Peadon.jpg[/img]

When I was a child growing up, we lived near the train station and I was amazed of such a machine made of steel and runs on steel rails... We used to watch the vehicles crossing the railroad --- it was rubber versus steel :lol:... And we are also amazed why on earth would people use such a heavy vehicle in transporting people and goods --- was it really feasible? With limited access because it can only travel through rail...

^^ Very fascinating objects that rolls on rails!!!

Status of Railway Works...as of Aug. 14, 2007

Northrail Phase 1 Section 1 (Caloocan-Malolos) - Ongoing
Northrail Phase 1 Section 2 (Malolos-Clark) - Relocation of remaining squatters and expidite acquisition of additional ROW are already underway. By October, 2007 acquisition is expected to be finished and by or before December the relocations are expected to be completed.

Linkage Phase 1 (Caloocan-Alabang) - Actual constructions has not yet commenced but massive relocations are ongoing. This month, scheduled to be relocated are the Sampaloc, Blumentrit and whole stretch of Muntinlupa railroad shanties. Currently relocations are already 50% completed.

Linkage Phase 2 (Alabang-Calamba) - No actual relocation yet but the relocation sites are being prepared.

Southrail Phase 1A - No actual relocation but the relocation sites are being prepared and upon completion of the sites, actual relocation will commenced immediately. Funding I think is already available.

^^ Nice @WoS

With this, can we say that the project phases are on schedule?

I also hope the funding was well planned, so they will not have an alibi that the project was not finished due to Peso depreciation which made the cost to swell (just like many other govt projects, i.e. SLEX to Lucena)...

Howdee,
At long last I am happy to say that the registration has been lodged to start a non-profit PRHS organization in the Philippines.
All appears (from reports I am recieving) to be proceeding well and it is expected to be completed in the coming days.
Finally we will be able to launch ourselves officially.

Brad

When I was a child growing up, we lived near the train station and I was amazed of such a machine made of steel and runs on steel rails... We used to watch the vehicles crossing the railroad --- it was rubber versus steel :lol:... ..

It is still very much rubber versus rail, look at recent Legazpi and Honolulu proposals. :(

And maybe the government of Australia, through alcogoodwin, would invest on a private railway that would connect the Industrial Zones in Cavite (Rosario-Gen.Trias-Dasmarinas) to Laguna (Binan-Sta.Rosa-Calamba) to Batangas (Lipa-Batangas Port)... then we can say that RP is truly an industrializing country. :)

^^ Nice @WoS

I also hope the funding was well planned, so they will not have an alibi that the project was not finished due to Peso depreciation which made the cost to swell (just like many other govt projects, i.e. SLEX to Lucena)...

We can all just remain in hope that nothing will go wrong, however I think the Chinese and Koreans would have put a lot of thought into these eventualities before entering into them.

Anyway the news yesterday says the Peso is doing better and rising. As a traveller there this is not good for me, but as someone with a small business there it is very good. Strange huh :lol:

Brad

And maybe the government of Australia, through alcogoodwin, would invest on a private railway that would connect the Industrial Zones in Cavite (Rosario-Gen.Trias-Dasmarinas) to Laguna (Binan-Sta.Rosa-Calamba) to Batangas (Lipa-Batangas Port)...

The Australian government can't be buggared even investing in a 'viable' railway line along the old railway formation from Cootamundra to Tumut to serve a massive paper manufacturing plant. :ohno:
If it was up to the Aussie government I don't think any of this rebuilding will have occured and the Legazpi line (conversion to road) proposal would be looking a very good possibility.
Once Gloria's term is finished there I wonder if she would like to be Australia's next PM? :lol:

Brad

^^ Another Imaginary Malolos Station Cross Section...

]

Another great drawing, your obviously a designer of this type of thing by trade.

I hope your drawings are prophetic that the lovely PNR U-Boats will continue in operation after all the changes :lol:

Brad

We can all just remain in hope that nothing will go wrong, however I think the Chinese and Koreans would have put a lot of thought into these eventualities before entering into them.

Anyway the news yesterday says the Peso is doing better and rising. As a traveller there this is not good for me, but as someone with a small business there it is very good. Strange huh :lol:

Brad

Yes, I hope they did took these things into consideration. The Chinese and Koreans are pouring in foreign currency into this project. For these investors, a major change to the peso exchange rate would either translate to more cost (for Peso appreciation) or more savings (for Peso depreciation).

A foreign export company operating in RP used to earn more, but with the Peso appreciation, their income diminished... in contrast an investor coming in would be able to save some Pesos in putting up the same business 2-3yrs ago...

Some OFWs are asking for a fix rate for their hard earned money abroad. A worker who used to remit $1000 monthly in 2003 (estimate: Php52:$1) would be equivalent to around Php45,000 today --- thats a Php7,000 difference!

Hi again,
One thing my wife always told me was that people in the Philippines would never be bothered wasting time with model trains.
A few things have occured over the years that have actually disagreed with this view.

1: Found the now closed model railway shop in the Shangri La shopping mall and have recently been lead to believe another may exist.

2: Have noticed 'Model Railroader' on sale around Manila in news stands.

3: Met a Filipino in Manila who was actually scratchbuilding PNR models. Have also met a couple of foreigners living Manila also interested in the idea.

Has anyone on this group ever given thought to the concept?
Have any of you modelled anything else related to the Philippines, jeepnies, streetscapes, ships, plans LRT etc etc.

I'm just curious to how widespread this type of interest is in the Philippines. One would imagine it would be affected mostly by a lack of money, however as I am finding while looking for items to model the railside shanties, it can be done quite cheaply in ways.
I'm hoping to raise more interest through the Philippine Railway SIGs new modelling section and forum. It would be interesting to see if such a past time would be viable there.

I am interested in anyones thoughts, especially on Northrail/Southrail modelling.

---
Once Gloria's term is finished there I wonder if she would like to be Australia's next PM? :lol:

Brad

With her penchant of being in power, I guess she would... but first she has to become an Australian citizen...

In fairness to PGMA, if every infrastructure project her administration has planned would come into fruition, it will be a big boost to RP economy, and a foothold to the dream of becoming a newly industrialized country.

Hi again,
One thing my wife always told me was that people in the Philippines would never be bothered wasting time with model trains.
A few things have occured over the years that have actually disagreed with this view.

1: Found the now closed model railway shop in the Shangri La shopping mall and have recently been lead to believe another may exist.

2: Have noticed 'Model Railroader' on sale around Manila in news stands.

3: Met a Filipino in Manila who was actually scratchbuilding PNR models. Have also met a couple of foreigners living Manila also interested in the idea.

Has anyone on this group ever given thought to the concept?
Have any of you modelled anything else related to the Philippines, jeepnies, streetscapes, ships, plans LRT etc etc.

I'm just curious to how widespread this type of interest is in the Philippines. One would imagine it would be affected mostly by a lack of money, however as I am finding while looking for items to model the railside shanties, it can be done quite cheaply in ways.
I'm hoping to raise more interest through the Philippine Railway SIGs new modelling section and forum. It would be interesting to see if such a past time would be viable there.

I am interested in anyones thoughts, especially on Northrail/Southrail modelling.

Some Filipinos are actually scale modeling and diorama fanatics... be it trains, cars, ships, planes or what-have-you... lack of budget could be one reason, and lack of time could be another (because they are busy looking for a job or working for a 54hr/week jobs)...
At Makati Cinema Square and Harrison Plaza, there are some scale modeling shops, I wonder if they are still in business... Some offer memberships I guess...

Some Filipinos are actually scale modeling and diorama fanatics... be it trains, cars, ships, planes or what-have-you... lack of budget could be one reason, and lack of time could be another (because they are busy looking for a job or working for a 54hr/week jobs)...
At Makati Cinema Square and Harrison Plaza, there are some scale modeling shops, I wonder if they are still in business... Some offer memberships I guess...

Hi,
It was mentioned that model trains coule be purchased from a '168 Shopping Centre'. Do you know where this may be?
Sadly the one at Shangri La were not Philippine based so could not be easily related to by locals. One would hard consider them to be cheap either :(
Its been hard but I have come across items suitable for modelling the Phil railways today. However it will be back to the drawing board once they rebuild :-)
Would you believe just to do a short Metro train with a 5000 I have had to source items from Australia, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand and England :nuts:

Brad

Hi,
It was mentioned that model trains coule be purchased from a '168 Shopping Centre'. Do you know where this may be?
Sadly the one at Shangri La were not Philippine based so could not be easily related to by locals. One would hard consider them to be cheap either :(
Its been hard but I have come across items suitable for modelling the Phil railways today. However it will be back to the drawing board once they rebuild :-)
Would you believe just to do a short Metro train with a 5000 I have had to source items from Australia, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand and England :nuts:

Brad

168 is a shopping center.....in manila...divisoria district...the place is sort of a flea market...where u can find a lot of stuff...cheap...dirt cheap stuff..

Hey Brad, have you seen this site:

http://www.philippinerailways.com/

:cheers:
Larry

168 is a shopping center.....in manila...divisoria district...the place is sort of a flea market...where u can find a lot of stuff...cheap...dirt cheap stuff..

Drat I was in Divisoria this year to.
Went to a multi story toy market opposite a canal and then another one nearby.
The place was crazy, I have never seen so many people in the one shopping area in all my life :) It was hard to move around anywhere.
Will have to take a look at this 168 shopping centre next time.

Thanks
Brad

Hey Brad, have you seen this site:

http://www.philippinerailways.com/

:cheers:
Larry

Hi Larry,
Yes. The owner seems to be slowly building an interesting website.
Actually it was this website that made me decide to head more away from historical topics on our SIG website and actually concentrate more on recent times and the future, as well as the hobby (friendships, chats, models and involvment) side of the interest.
I felt there really wasn't any point having two websites that were trying to cover historical aspects. The guy behind PhilRail is obviously very well versed in Philippine Railway History.
Actually I suspect he may be a member of the Philippine Railway SIG which is currently approaching, amazingly, 200 members. Then again perhaps not as his more current information is not correct and we cover a lot of that stuff on group.
On the subject of Philippine Railway history, I have a friend who has researched it for years, and has built up a remarkable amount of information for a possible book, coming to visit Australia (he lives in the UK) this week. Its always great to meet people with the same interests.

Regards
Brad

Brad

Hi. I like the model train picture of GE5000 you posted in the Geocities. It's cool and very much scaled to Cape. Very nice!!! Thanks for the model pictures..

WoS

Brad

Hi. I like the model train picture of GE5000 you posted in the Geocities. It's cool and very much scaled to Cape. Very nice!!! Thanks for the model pictures..

WoS


Hi WoS,
All going well I hope to have some shots of my layout up before long. Just got to get it started first :lol:

That model is S scale and certainly works well with the track actually the right narrow size as you say. S scale certainly looks nice but the availablity of suitable PNR stuff other than the 2500/5000 class is very limited.
I have long thought about the idea of doing the PNR correctly in 12mm but have finally compromised and accept that, at least for now, it will be a lot easier to do in HO with some appropriate work done to the track to make it less noticable.
If a more decent 12mm mechanism become available in the future I may gauge convert the layout. I have a few 12mm ones already (Queensland) but none of them run as fantastic as some of the RTR models of today in HO.
Hopefully since the track will be mostly hiden by structures, mud and mess, it wont be quite so noticeable.

Brad

i cant wait for the rail lines to be completed.. i hope to be one of the first people to be able to ride the lines from end to end.. hopefully they could finish ahead of schedule.. especially phase 2 of northrail..

i cant wait for the rail lines to be completed.. i hope to be one of the first people to be able to ride the lines from end to end.. hopefully they could finish ahead of schedule.. especially phase 2 of northrail..

^^ Ofcourse!!!...you have to be the first one or along with us to witness the fist ever roll of Northrail..:lol: Cause your the author of this thread. Were too..ha ha ha..:lol: going nuts fantazising the realization of this railway since the start of Northrail-Southrail Thread 1 pa...he he he.:lol: Long at last, it has started already...:banana:

hi guys i video this yesterday along the sharp curve of the "triangle" hehe...this is going to blumentritt.. i'm brave to capture it with my cellphone..haha, sneak peek...

2LHwn0KgSVM

what a day, i went today to FTI, Bicutan,Sucat and alabang stations..so tired.. taking pictures for my thesis. damn, someone throw a plastic full of water on my way back to manila, unknown my seatmate got wet..:lol:

hi guys i video this yesterday along the sharp curve of the "triangle" hehe...this is going to blumentritt.. i'm brave to capture it with my cellphone..haha, sneak peek...

2LHwn0KgSVM

is this the fastest the current trains can go?

from espana upto sta mesa i think its 100kph... damn so fast, i felt like it was going to be derailed...

On my way today to alabang, on the part of sucat - alabang 1 track rail, damn so fast, and also bumpy... like ur riding a horse.. i think there is a problem with the rails... its like jumping..harhar .. mahina ako sa english e... oposite kme ni alcgoodwin...harhar:lol:

Many obstacles along the path from tayuman to espana thats why the train is slow, overhanging roofs of shanties only 2 inch difference.. many children running around thats why...

from espana upto sta mesa i think its 100kph... damn so fast, i felt like it was going to be derailed...

On my way today to alabang, on the part of sucat - alabang 1 track rail, damn so fast, and also bumpy... like ur riding a horse.. i think there is a problem with the rails... its like the train is jumping..harhar .. mahina ako sa english e... oposite kme ni alcgoodwin...harhar:lol:

i hate the people who throw stones and water at the train... no discipline. i hate it.. i was been wash out by a water by unidentified people.. why are they doing this...!!!


this video is to alabang from sucat station... shifting from double track to single track..
I1E1ZJJQGLo

tomorow i wil visit the old paco station and i WILL "try to video the "triangulo area" i hope i can bring out my cellphone, if theres no snatcher hahaha...

this is an update of the demolition area.. its not "2loy 2loy"...
its only portion by portion... the demolition in fti is not yet 100 percent... the portion where the pnr row is in the middle of skyway toll and slex have not yet been demolished.. the area in bicutan also are only portion by portion.. i think its around 10 percent only the exact demolished area.. i will visit the places again next month. sa totoo lng kinakati na ako ngaun, ang alikabok kc hahaha.. pero worth ang experience =)

this is my contribution to all people in this forum who inspired me about pnr

my trip to fti is only 11 pesos from tutuban, tutuban to alabang 16 pesos only compared to bus 70, im from manila.
http://file.uploadr.com/fc8e-embed
along sta mesa

http://file.uploadr.com/fc8f-embed
fti

http://file.uploadr.com/fc90-embed
bicutan, im so scared to take photos bcoz many
squatters .. especially those who have tatoos.. mamaya snathin pa cellphone ko, wla pa ako magamit pang picture

http://file.uploadr.com/fc91-embed
sucat, those people there are peaceful believe me...

http://file.uploadr.com/fc92-embed
im amazed with alabang bcos the people here are trolleys are their livelihood.. for only 6 pesos ..
thnx to all of u.. keep on supporting the pnr and ride it, safety and security tlaga ang need sa pnr... many people are scared to ride the pnr bcos of the squaters and not the old and delapidated trains.. its the surrounding that makes the commuters change othr means of transportation..

^^ Ofcourse!!!...you have to be the first one or along with us to witness the fist ever roll of Northrail..:lol: Cause your the author of this thread. Were too..ha ha ha..:lol: going nuts fantazising the realization of this railway since the start of Northrail-Southrail Thread 1 pa...he he he.:lol: Long at last, it has started already...:banana:

Perhaps we should hire our own private carriage on the first run.
Stock it up with adobo, girls, Tanduay :cheers: and spend the day riding up and down. :lol:

Brad

hi guys i video this yesterday along the sharp curve of the "triangle" hehe...this is going to blumentritt.. i'm brave to capture it with my cellphone..haha, sneak peek...



Thanks for the video mate, brings back some great memories.
Brave yes, camera phones are popular there :)
My missus was freaking out about us standing on the locomotive with bulk camera gear around our necks. Had to be ready for film or digital shots :lol:

Brad

what a day, i went today to FTI, Bicutan,Sucat and alabang stations..so tired.. taking pictures for my thesis. damn, someone throw a plastic full of water on my way back to manila, unknown my seatmate got wet..




I copped a few drops of water around Espana/Sta Mesa and thought nothing of it.
Sadly the bulk of it landed inside the first carriage showering the asawa, her cousin, her brother and my son. All have vowed not to travel the PNR again.
Won't stop me but :-) Not even the two rocks has turned me off.

Brad

Many obstacles along the path from tayuman to espana thats why the train is slow, overhanging roofs of shanties only 2 inch difference.. many children running around thats why...

from espana upto sta mesa i think its 100kph... damn so fast, i felt like it was going to be derailed...

On my way today to alabang, on the part of sucat - alabang 1 track rail, damn so fast, and also bumpy... like ur riding a horse.. i think there is a problem with the rails... its like the train is jumping..harhar .. mahina ako sa english e... oposite kme ni alcgoodwin...harhar:lol:

i hate the people who throw stones and water at the train... no discipline. i hate it.. i was been wash out by a water by unidentified people.. why are they doing this...!!!


this video is to alabang from sucat station... shifting from double track to single track..
I1E1ZJJQGLo


The difference in ride quality after Sucat is amazing. We were standing at the rear of the train on the way down and our heads were bumping the roof. If they remained at the lower speed used elsewhere this would not have been quite so bad I suppose, but the mud sections did seem better.
The train crew don't know this as our return ride in the loco was much smoother due to the weight.
The track, while relatively new compared to that around Blumentritt, has little in the way of ballasting or regular maintenence and is really showing this.
I'm unsure if there is any official speed limit. I still vividly remember standing on Espana station in 2004 and watching a Baby-Boat with train come screaming along from the Sta Mesa direction. People had to literally fling themselves out of the way. Perhaps the driver had a bad day.

Why do people throw this stuff?
Mostly because the train is naughty enough to disturb their lives and want to reclaim its territory. Naughty Train :lol:

Brad

this is an update of the demolition area.. its not "2loy 2loy"...
its only portion by portion... the demolition in fti is not yet 100 percent... the portion where the pnr row is in the middle of skyway toll and slex have not yet been demolished.. the area in bicutan also are only portion by portion.. i think its around 10 percent only the exact demolished area.. i will visit the places again next month. sa totoo lng kinakati na ako ngaun, ang alikabok kc hahaha.. pero worth ang experience =)..

Wow they have really ripped into it haven't they. Even the stations are showing signs of the demolition, especially FTI.
I have to consider myself so very lucky to have been able to photograph every station in its final days. Had we left the trip another year the opportunity would be now lost.
What a strange mixed bag of emotions are stirred by these photos. Have long fought for the idea of a rebuilt PNR, but the loss of the old one comes with much regret as well. It was afterall the old PNR that lead to an obsession for this Aussie.

Anyway kaelthas18

May I be able to use these photos in our asian railway e-zine please. What name do you wnt me to credit them to, your real name or 'kaelthas18'. They show a wonderful picture of where the demolision is at.

Brad

On my way today to alabang, on the part of sucat - alabang 1 track rail, damn so fast, and also bumpy... like ur riding a horse.. i think there is a problem with the rails... its like jumping..harhar .. mahina ako sa english e... oposite kme ni alcgoodwin...harhar:lol:


Sorry can't understand the last taglog part.

Its lucky the bogies are heavy otherwise one of the locals would find a 7A parked in their kitchen :)

Off topic, but while I mention Tagalog, can someone tell me the Tagalog word for 'Grumpy' please? Many thnaks.

Brad

^^ Ofcourse!!!...you have to be the first one or along with us to witness the fist ever roll of Northrail..:lol: Cause your the author of this thread. Were too..ha ha ha..:lol: going nuts fantazising the realization of this railway since the start of Northrail-Southrail Thread 1 pa...he he he.:lol: Long at last, it has started already...:banana:

hahaha, lets see what happens.. hopefully i could join you on that..

sure u can alcogudwin... my names Nathan Uy..

i will ride again today..hahaha:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: 9:30 tourist train,,wakokokokok choW!!

sure u can alcogudwin... my names Nathan..

Thanks Nathan.

I envy your going for another ride today. I certainly wish I could.
Any photos you get now will very soon be historic.
A couple of local SIG friends are talking about hiring a professional guy to do a video along the line. They will have to be quick. I am sure such footage will be popular worldwide.

Brad

Sorry can't understand the last taglog part.
Off topic, but while I mention Tagalog, can someone tell me the Tagalog word for 'Grumpy' please? Many thnaks.
Brad

Brad,

Nathan just meant that the two of you are opposites! You're having a hard time with tagalog as he is with english! :lol:

Grumpy means "masungit" or a tagalog term with spanish roots "aburido". Whats with the term anyway?

kaelthas18 (aka Nathan)

Those people act that way because the trains are squatting in their land. :bash:
You're right Brad... naughty train! bad train! sit!!! :rofl:

Sorry can't understand the last taglog part.

Its lucky the bogies are heavy otherwise one of the locals would find a 7A parked in their kitchen :)

Off topic, but while I mention Tagalog, can someone tell me the Tagalog word for 'Grumpy' please? Many thnaks.

Brad

grumpy is ....masungit

http://file.uploadr.com/fc90-embed
bicutan,

http://file.uploadr.com/fc92-embed
..

Howdee,
In regards to the above two shots.

1) What is the name of the station in the distance? Is there an actual Bicutan station? Somewhat confusing since I am sure I photographed every station we stopped at enroute to Alabang and back.
Quite possible the train failed to stop both ways but I would suspect we would have noticed.

2) Interesting to see some rail on the platform at Alabang. Haven't seen that there before (but then I didn't see Bicutan either :lol: ) can you remember how long it was. I wonder if they needed to replace rail there recently?

Brad

Brad,

Nathan just meant that the two of you are opposites! You're having a hard time with tagalog as he is with english! :lol:

Grumpy means "masungit" or a tagalog term with spanish roots "aburido". Whats with the term anyway?

kaelthas18 (aka Nathan)

Those people act that way because the trains are squatting in their land. :bash:
You're right Brad... naughty train! bad train! sit!!! :rofl:


Hi Chito,
Yeah I so desperately want to learn to speak Tagalog but its a long hard road. If I came and lived there for a year I would probably learn it a whole lot easier.

I want to surprise the wife with the term. She sometimes, like yesterday, comes home in a grumpy mood.
I want to surprise her with "Kumusta Maganda Masungit Asawa" :lol:
Will probably get a slap across the face and "Get lost pungit" :lol:

Those trains should know better than to be running up and down railway tracks, making noise and disturbing the lives of informal settlers. Shame on them.

Brad

grumpy is ....masungit


Thanks to those who helped with this.
Brad

hi guys i video this yesterday along the sharp curve of the "triangle" hehe...this is going to blumentritt.. i'm brave to capture it with my cellphone..haha, sneak peek...

2LHwn0KgSVM



^^ Wowwiieeee!!! Oh my goodness Nathan!! You did it... IT'S GREAT!!! Thank you..Thank you.... I mean you're the guy 4 this project! :okay: ....:banana:

^^ Yeheey! They're gone...Oh wow!! Nice!! Now i can say that I beginning to be satisfied...just to see squatters being removed, I can say that is already a very big accomplishment! Perfect, keep on going guys and always take good care Nathan and for all demolitions team....:banana:

Can any of you knowledgeable locals identify the purpose of this strange carriage? Information on it continues to elude.
I saw it in 1999 but it wasn't anywhere in Manila during my 2004 visit. Enquiries were made but nobody seemed to know what I was talking about and told me it was likely scrapped.
When I returned this year so did the carriage. Asawa was in a hurry (again) so I didn't get a real good look over it. Anyone know more?

Thanks
Brad


http://www.geocities.com/philippinerailwayhistorical/2007_02_09_Unidentified_Carriage_Tayuman_Brad_Peadon.jpg

^^ Hi Nathan,

If you could take a video or snapshots of whats happening there at the stretch of Makati ROW. Well, anyway what a big surprise to us!!!:banana: Nice video Nathan... Thank you, Thank you so much and be carefull always!!!

WoS

^^Nice Carriage, was it intended to carry livestocks? It looks strange to me also. I also have seen one very similar to that when I happened to pass by one of the station near to us here in Bicol a long time ago. It appears that it looks like a tourist car.

wow. an aussie who fancies the PNR! I have never riden in one of it nor did i get anywhere near it. I reckon its dangerous. Way to go mate! it was brave of you. =)

Hiya Abvillareal,
Believe me you should go for a run while you still can, it is worth it.
I never felt uncomfortable at any stage during the trip. Do it in the locomotive, nobody will argue with something that big
:lol:

Seriously though, the squatters were all very friendly, even when I walked through the middle of it back in 1999.
They may have a bit of a reputation, especially those coming from around the Tondo area, but most of them are just hardworking Filipinos and very good people.

One thing that has happened to me a few times in the area is locals coming up and warning me about kids and others who may try to steal something off me. They even point them out while they are watching.
This sort of great community caring has gone from down here, nobody really cares anymore.
I hope this never changes in the Philippines.

Brad

wow. an aussie who fancies the PNR! I have never riden in one of it nor did i get anywhere near it. I reckon its dangerous. Way to go mate! it was brave of you. =)

Hi abv,

^^ Gudam, yup, if you want, you must try to ride on a train, at least once just for a very short route. It's really worthy since there is already assurance that the squatters will be removed. The things we use to hate to see along the railtracks will be gone forever!!! Try it but be sure to be carefull for your once in a life PNR ROUGH RIDE...

WoS

bustero,
Southrail will be all track relaying. They will rip up all the old stuff and start again in order to do it right. The old stuff couldn't possibly continue to be used, not even the stuff John Holland rebuilt which is rougher than that through Bluementritt to Laon Laan.
Its hard to believe how much newer the section from Sucat to Alabang is when you travel over it :ohno:
Anyway this is pretty much why the railway is to close for a while. They will rip it all out, regrade the ROW and then relay track with proper ballast one would hope.

Brad

Really, I thought most of the US 50 m was for new trainsets, How can they fit in the budget all that work to alabang if they plan to put out new rails and regrade? A wonder indeed. Anyway I hope that it's done sooner rather than later.


@ wheels of steel nice drawings, did you uses Google sketchup, very usefull tool for non professional draftsmen.

@kaelthas 18, kudos to you for your reports!

Metro rail dwellers stage protest

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Railway dwellers staged yesterday a protest against the relocation of families affected by the Southrail and Northrail projects.

Some of the families who dwell along railway tracks have had their houses demolished and have been relocated to nearby provinces, where they reportedly suffer from lack of access to jobs, schools, and basic services.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro said until all the facilities, including electricity and an access road to the low-cost housing project at the New Bilibid Prison reservation site are all set, the relocation should be postponed.

San Pedro inspected the relocation site last Thursday together with Sen. Rodolfo Biazon and Rep. Ruffy Biazon.

“I am appealing to President Arroyo to defer the relocation of these families until the government completes the facilities in the area. As of now, there is no access road that the families can use. There is also no electricity,” San Pedro said.

Meanwhile, Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri said his administration has been successful in pursuing an in-city relocation for families affected by the Southrail extension project.

“It is my firm belief that no demolition would be carried out if there is no certain in-city relocation,” the mayor told the affected residents.

Echiverri said after deliberate coordination with concerned government agencies, the local government, through the Urban Poor Affairs Office (UPAO), and Urban Poor Sectoral Council (UPSC), were able to secure an appropriate relocation site in Barangay 171, Bagumbong for the affected families.

Echiverri said the site was primarily chosen because of its proximity to key facilities and establishments like schools, hospitals, markets, terminals, main roads and to Novaliches town proper.

The national government recently announced that it will start this month the relocation of families to the housing facility as part of the Northrail and Southrail linkage project, which calls for the rehabilitation and upgrade of railways from north to south.

Meanwhile, homeowners along the railways in Sampaloc, Manila have started to dismantle the encroachments and obstructions to attain the three-and-a-half meter easement based on an earlier recommendation by the Philippine National Railways, National Housing Authority, Housing and Urban Development Council and the Department of Transportation and Communications.

The residents said they do not oppose the implementation of the Northrail-Southrail linkage project and the demolition of structures within the railway’s danger zone.

“But why include our houses which are too far away from the danger zone? Besides why resettle us in far-away sites when we already have decent and beautiful houses here in the city,” asked the residents, adding the proposed relocation sites for them could be availed of by the real homeless settlers.

The families, who have been residing in the area for the past 30 years, said they cannot see the logic in demolishing their owned structurally sound houses and resettling them to still undeveloped sites far away from their places of work. The homeowners said they are willing to pay for the appropriation of the lot where their houses stand.

Some 1,000 families whose houses along Antipolo street in Sampaloc, Manila are set to be dismantled to give way to the government’s railway project are pinning their hopes on the implementation of Executive Order 48 to stop the demolition.

EO 48 signed by President Arroyo on Oct. 26, 2000 declares non-core properties of the Philippine National Railways as socialized housing sites and provides for the disposition of the same to bonafide residents. It also sets a three-and-a-half-meter clearance for all structures on both sides of the outer rail tracks.

The families claim their semi-concrete houses cannot be considered as “eyesores” which are built at least five meters away from the outer rail tracks. – Rhodina Villanueva, Nestor Etolle

i hope the projects won't be affected by these protests! The protesters are quoting an EO but like any EO, it can be repealed by a new EO.

I hope the president orders a new EO for this.

haha well that's the problem with squatters they have a sense of entitlement. ingenious arguments. Somehow they have unilaterally declared that 5 meters away from the train tracks is not considered core property of the PNR!

^^ Hi Nathan,

If you could take a video or snapshots of whats happening there at the stretch of Makati ROW. Well, anyway what a big surprise to us!!!:banana: Nice video Nathan... Thank you, Thank you so much and be carefull always!!!

WoS


I agree.
Big thanks (or salamat) to Nathan for doing this. Without it we would not be able to witness the historic events as they happen.
Could you imagine that without the internet most of this would be unseen by all of us.
Again salamat and do stay safe while out there.

Brad

alcogoodwin

## Please note I can't speak Tagalog - actually I struggle enough with English :-) ##

you should learn to speak tagalog mate, especially that you have mentioned that your wife is a Philo. =)

I'm slowly learning it, bit by bit.
As with any language anyone learns, I started with the ruder words and am now working my through the normal stuff.
Learn more each time I come back and from watching TFC in Australia.

Brad

haha. maybe i should one of these days.... im just worried that i might get mugged or something. =)

Try and con a couple of friends/family into going with you.

Tell them you feel like spending a day at the shopping centre in the old Tutuban station. Then sort it out that you get public transport from home to any other PNR station to catch train :lol:

Brad

i hope the projects won't be affected by these protests! The protesters are quoting an EO but like any EO, it can be repealed by a new EO.

I hope the president orders a new EO for this.


^^ Tuloy-tuloy na yan Chito. As long as the PNR holds the Land Title, there is no absolute way to derail the project. I think PNR has no utang na loob sa mga professional squatters na yan. Professional Squatters are absolutely right in an absolutely wrong ideology. Actually sila pa nga may utang sa PNR for their long stay. Infact a lot of these personalities are highly educated. Super enough to understand that the property does not belong to them.:ohno:

did i read it right?...nde daw sila eyesore....eh baka tau ang eyesore....hopefully everything goes well...yung makati portion hanggang magallanes...malinis na....i don't know though pag lampas ng magalllanes kung nalinis na....

i hope the projects won't be affected by these protests! The protesters are quoting an EO but like any EO, it can be repealed by a new EO.

I hope the president orders a new EO for this.

The linkage project is moving along like a typhoon.
Ever stood on a beach and protested against an approaching typhoon? It dosent do any good!

Thankfully we have a very determined president who wants to leave some good legacies after she goes. I don't think she will be swayed by this.

Brad
** Just noticed this thread is aproaching 1000 postings. Who will post the milestone 1000 :lol:

haha well that's the problem with squatters they have a sense of entitlement. ingenious arguments. Somehow they have unilaterally declared that 5 meters away from the train tracks is not considered core property of the PNR!

Perhaps they should lay four tracks and put the 3rd and 4th through the middle of their kitchen.
They may consider it core property then :nuts:

Brad

^^ Assuming that Prof. Squatters owns the land and the PNR as mandated by the law must acquire additional ROW for safety and expansion for the benefit of all of us, the eminent domain will still applies as humane resolution for this. The government needs that property for good of all Filipinos...:)

^^ I like this thread very much....because we're making history here not just railways. History that we will live forever. It reminds me of Exodus with no fight...I would like to give regards to our squatter friends for their generosity and cooperation in this history with no fight....

Perhaps they should lay four tracks and put the 3rd and 4th through the middle of their kitchen.
They may consider it core property then :nuts:

Brad

ha ha ha!!!:lol:

that Muntinlupa mayor should address the lack of power and access road of the relocation sites rather than ask the president to stop a critical socio-economic program of the national government. Sheesh talk about LGU problem solving skills!

Just wanna share, "imminent domain will only apply if there is something noxious about the property". Interest of public safety can be used for this i think!

I am busy trying to record all that happens in the final days of the old PNR.
The reports here are very very useful and any things noted all go together to give a great picture of what is happening.

One area which I am really on the search for information is that of whats running in these final days. Locomotive numbers, carriage numbers, unusual workings etc.
It will all go together to give a much more complete picture of these final weeks.
I have a friend there at the moment making notes but he will be coming home in a week or so.
If anyone is out and about travelling on the trains can you please make notes of locomotive and carriage numbers including times and directions they were headed.
Once it is all completed I hope to have a big file of reports etc that is available to anyone here who is interested.

Regards
Brad

^^ You know guys, I think Northrail - Southrail Trains is really fast. Faster than Airlines, Airplanes, and Airports....Thread XI. Not even the fastest sports car that will ram through Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Thread... he he he!!!! :lol:

Hang on guys, we still have a long way to go. The tracks still long and were just recreating only a part of 1050 kms. still to be rebuilt....:banana:

^^ Hello!!!! Guys any update?

^^ Hello!!!! Guys any update?

Quiet news night :lol:

Only incoming news was LRT7 and that really isn't appropriate here.

In totally offtopic news, I have a massive job coming up at that stupid APEC conference over the next two to three weeks. Soooooo I may be away from my beloved Northrail-Southrail thread for extended periods after Sunday.
I will look forward to what awaits whenever I can take a look.

Cheers
Brad

^^ A sample movie from Super Hakucho travelling at speeds of 130kpm in a narrow gauge single track from Aomori Station, Japan. You will notice that there are many tracks upon departing from station and as it drives away, the Right of Way (row) becomes narrower and I estimate it just exactly 8m of ROW and more than 8m at the pass section. Definitely an ROW like this will definitely not work on Southrail and Northrail. To do it right here in the Philippines, we really have to make sure that the rails are in suitable distance from houses and roads and that is why 30m of ROW is reasonable width.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_A_ijBmKxA

---

In totally offtopic news, I have a massive job coming up at that stupid APEC conference over the next two to three weeks.

---

Cheers
Brad

???

You sound like you are one of those who dont like APEC...

sorry for the OT...

???

You sound like you are one of those who dont like APEC...

sorry for the OT...

I don't mind the concept of it, these things have to happen to promote worldwide relations and hopefully make the place better.

Its just the endless security checks, the going through of our lunch, the not being able to buy drinks to take into the halls, the road closures, the jamming of using mobile phones, the massive screens being placed up and, best of all, the massive concrete walls being places around the city that are a bit much.
Not to mention endless 12 hour days of work. Gets tiresome after a while :(
But worst of all, it will keep me away from this thread :lol:
So no, its not an actual dislike of APEC, just what it means for simple ol me :)

Brad

Seriously though, the squatters were all very friendly, even when I walked through the middle of it back in 1999.
They may have a bit of a reputation, especially those coming from around the Tondo area, but most of them are just hardworking Filipinos and very good people.

One thing that has happened to me a few times in the area is locals coming up and warning me about kids and others who may try to steal something off me. They even point them out while they are watching.
This sort of great community caring has gone from down here, nobody really cares anymore.
I hope this never changes in the Philippines.
^^ ^^ ^^
------from alcogoodwin

not for now, squatters along tayuman up to pandacan are super eagle eye... "stare like an eagle", as if they want something from u... back in those days people in the squatters are lets say at poverty lvl, but now, people are below poverty lvl,

today, its my worst day.. i went to tayuman station for a 9:30 trip unfortunately there was a derailment that happened. The 8:10 trip from tayuman ordinary train derailed from its tracks along paco, thats why my 9:30 trip was about 10:00 when it leave the main station. Then when we reach espana, we stop for a long time bcoz the station said that the part from paco-buendia, and others are flooded... thats why its very dangerous and they cancelled the whole operation of the PNR today. maybe tomrow if the sun shines and Typhoon Egay weakens then im sure PNR will be back on track...

what a day today typhoon Egay brings more rains, damn, flood all over Metro, good thing we have lrt and mrt, ---pnr bends it knees to the typhoon because of flood on the tracks, is saw the canal in buendia station overflowing... haha .. i hope those people who walk along the floods dont get leptospyrosis..

^^ Anyway, Thank you so much Mr. Nathan... Another day of job well done again although weather didn't favor your tour, but a great accomplishment again. Always be sure to take good care when taking the photos, me too when I get there. I will also try to snap Malolos Station. Just a glimpse over the top of the flyover....coool!!!!:cheers:

^^ I thought PNR will be tougher incase weather isn't good. See this picture again, OMG!!! actually it's not a flood, its a lake!!!!!:lol: It's a train over a lake... he he he!!!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1110/961479235_b47816bd3a.jpg?v=0

^^ Oh! Boy!!! Job Well Done....Squatters! No More at Pasay Station.......Yes!!!
http://www.unlawyer.net/photos/ipap-photos/pasay_road_train_tracks.jpg

Metro rail dwellers stage protest

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Railway dwellers staged yesterday a protest against the relocation of families affected by the Southrail and Northrail projects.

Some of the families who dwell along railway tracks have had their houses demolished and have been relocated to nearby provinces, where they reportedly suffer from lack of access to jobs, schools, and basic services.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro said until all the facilities, including electricity and an access road to the low-cost housing project at the New Bilibid Prison reservation site are all set, the relocation should be postponed.

San Pedro inspected the relocation site last Thursday together with Sen. Rodolfo Biazon and Rep. Ruffy Biazon.

“I am appealing to President Arroyo to defer the relocation of these families until the government completes the facilities in the area. As of now, there is no access road that the families can use. There is also no electricity,” San Pedro said.

Meanwhile, Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri said his administration has been successful in pursuing an in-city relocation for families affected by the Southrail extension project.

“It is my firm belief that no demolition would be carried out if there is no certain in-city relocation,” the mayor told the affected residents.

Echiverri said after deliberate coordination with concerned government agencies, the local government, through the Urban Poor Affairs Office (UPAO), and Urban Poor Sectoral Council (UPSC), were able to secure an appropriate relocation site in Barangay 171, Bagumbong for the affected families.

Echiverri said the site was primarily chosen because of its proximity to key facilities and establishments like schools, hospitals, markets, terminals, main roads and to Novaliches town proper.

The national government recently announced that it will start this month the relocation of families to the housing facility as part of the Northrail and Southrail linkage project, which calls for the rehabilitation and upgrade of railways from north to south.

Meanwhile, homeowners along the railways in Sampaloc, Manila have started to dismantle the encroachments and obstructions to attain the three-and-a-half meter easement based on an earlier recommendation by the Philippine National Railways, National Housing Authority, Housing and Urban Development Council and the Department of Transportation and Communications.

The residents said they do not oppose the implementation of the Northrail-Southrail linkage project and the demolition of structures within the railway’s danger zone.

“But why include our houses which are too far away from the danger zone? Besides why resettle us in far-away sites when we already have decent and beautiful houses here in the city,” asked the residents, adding the proposed relocation sites for them could be availed of by the real homeless settlers.

The families, who have been residing in the area for the past 30 years, said they cannot see the logic in demolishing their owned structurally sound houses and resettling them to still undeveloped sites far away from their places of work. The homeowners said they are willing to pay for the appropriation of the lot where their houses stand.

Some 1,000 families whose houses along Antipolo street in Sampaloc, Manila are set to be dismantled to give way to the government’s railway project are pinning their hopes on the implementation of Executive Order 48 to stop the demolition.

EO 48 signed by President Arroyo on Oct. 26, 2000 declares non-core properties of the Philippine National Railways as socialized housing sites and provides for the disposition of the same to bonafide residents. It also sets a three-and-a-half-meter clearance for all structures on both sides of the outer rail tracks.

The families claim their semi-concrete houses cannot be considered as “eyesores” which are built at least five meters away from the outer rail tracks. – Rhodina Villanueva, Nestor Etolle

ei,this is the picture from the article of Philippine Star today august 15, 2007

http://file.uploadr.com/fcc1-embed

not for now, squatters along tayuman up to pandacan are super eagle eye... "stare like an eagle", as if they want something from u... back in those days people in the squatters are lets say at poverty lvl, but now, people are below poverty lvl,

today, its my worst day.. i went to tayuman station for a 9:30 trip unfortunately there was a derailment that happened. The 8:10 trip from tayuman ordinary train derailed from its tracks along paco, thats why my 9:30 trip was about 10:00 when it leave the main station. Then when we reach espana, we stop for a long time bcoz the station said that the part from paco-buendia, and others are flooded... thats why its very dangerous and they cancelled the whole operation of the PNR today. maybe tomrow if the sun shines and Typhoon Egay weakens then im sure PNR will be back on track...

Sounds like a bad day out. The weather must be bad there, our Filipino Television is even off here due to satalite trouble out of Manila due to this.
I suppose nowdays the squatters are more wary of anyone dropping by, especially if they appear to be taking photos. Probably not keen to have their plight photographed, or just concerned you may be government photographing progress.
Anyway historically it is worth it and we all appreciate your efforts very very much.

I hope all of you guys living in Manila (and elsewhere affeced) are getting through this typhoon OK.

Best wishes and take care
Brad

^^ I thought PNR will be tougher incase weather isn't good. See this picture again, OMG!!! actually it's not a flood, its a lake!!!!!:lol: It's a train over a lake... he he he!!!

[

One imagines that the infamous Lake Paco is now the Paco Sea :)

^^ Those Professional Squatters living along Antipolo St. are worst, they are not supposed to be part of this project because only SQUATTERS, are being allowed to be relocated.. They should be filed criminal charges because of their refusal to cooperate when in fact theyre not suppose to erect concrete structures in supposedly PNR lot....:lol:

^^ Ha ha ha!!! oh my gush...my stomach is aching again because I laughed too hard...ha ha ha..:lol: . Anyway guys, see you tommorrow, you always made my day colorful....Tomorrow again ha!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!! and GOOD NIGHT!!!!:banana:

today after i was stranded at espana, i ride mrt at quezon ave all the way to magallanes, just to finish my task for today, tomrw paco and pandacan

http://file.uploadr.com/fcc3-embed
edsa station... still simple design.."can it accomodate a 70 meter or 100 meter train ?? i dont think so..nyak"

http://file.uploadr.com/fcc4-embed
old magallanes , just beside the new 1 torn apart but left the columns of the station..

http://file.uploadr.com/fcc5-embed
magallanes interchange park, just below the magallanes interchange at slex, again " i sneek shot again" afraid of holdupers and snatchers..haha, i have once been holdup in a jeep in 2004, cant take away my trauma, i was stun that day

ei,this is the picture from the article of Philippine Star today august 15, 2007

]

Oh dear, using kids as ammunition in a protest.
This once worked but now reflects even worse on the people who allow their kids to be used in such a way :(
I care deeply for the plight of the poorer Filipinos but many of them don't take over land that isn't theirs like has been done here.
They have been found alternative accomodation, many countries would not have done this for illegal settlers. This may not, in all cases, be in what they consider to be an ideal location, but it isn't as if they are being pushed onto a street and told to get lost.

I look at that girl and think about her future. Does she wish to live like this lineside all her life or does she wish to live in a more prosperous Philippines. The railways won't achieve this alone, but it is one of many stepping stones.
She is to young to realise how important this project is for the Philippines, so why use her to fight the selfish battle of her elders?
Its just very sad.

Brad

Yehey, anounced today on the tv no class tomorrow on all lvls of schools, even me,, wahaha its my Prelims tomrow good thing no class, bcoz i ddnt study yet.. darn..

magallanes interchange park, just below the magallanes interchange at slex, again " i sneek shot again" afraid of holdupers and snatchers..haha, i have once been holdup in a jeep in 2004, cant take away my trauma, i was stun that day

Is Magallanes actually EDSA station? Have they changed the name of this?
I know EDSA was done up nice like this when I went through. It is a nice bit of work there.

Brad

Howdee,
In regards to the above two shots.

1) What is the name of the station in the distance? Is there an actual Bicutan station? Somewhat confusing since I am sure I photographed every station we stopped at enroute to Alabang and back.
Quite possible the train failed to stop both ways but I would suspect we would have noticed.

2) Interesting to see some rail on the platform at Alabang. Haven't seen that there before (but then I didn't see Bicutan either :lol: ) can you remember how long it was. I wonder if they needed to replace rail there recently?

Brad

The first 1 is alabang i picture it right after i went down the chuchu train..

heres another..

http://file.uploadr.com/fcc6-embed
alabang estasyon...
another angle, is my cam phone good image? only 2mp, not slr..hahah asa

Is Magallanes actually EDSA station? Have they changed the name of this?
I know EDSA was done up nice like this when I went through. It is a nice bit of work there.

Brad

its the same..but i think its edsa now... its like buendia station "gil puyat"

^^ Ha ha ha!!! oh my gush...my stomach is aching again because I laughed too hard...ha ha ha..:lol: . Anyway guys, see you tommorrow, you always made my day colorful....Tomorrow again ha!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!! and GOOD NIGHT!!!!:banana:

I'll certainly be here, although it will be around 8pm (6pm Manila time).
It would be nice if there was a live chat function on here to talk to each other.
Look forward to everything all you guys have to say. Makes me less miserable about not actually being over there.



magallanes interchange park, just below the magallanes interchange at slex, again " i sneek shot again" afraid of holdupers and snatchers..haha, i have once been holdup in a jeep in 2004, cant take away my trauma, i was stun that day

Just checking through my album of stations and it seems this is what was EDSA station.
I notice that further work seems to have been done since I was there in Feb though. The grass between the lines has been removed and what appears to be a dirt pedestrian crossing look like has been fenced off to bar access.
Its a wonder they have done that much work around the tracks given they are about to be ripped up.

Sorry to hear about your holdup. My wife was robbed of some jewelery while on a Jeepney well before she came out here and had the misfortune :) of meeting me.
Still a American friend living there for many years says he only had one problem ever. I hope your experience will be the only one mate.

Brad

The first 1 is alabang i picture it right after i went down the chuchu train..

heres another..

alabang estasyon...
another angle, is my cam phone good image? only 2mp, not slr..hahah asa

Ahhhh Alabang, have spent many hours there.
When I am in Manila next we really should meet up for a run on the new trains.

Your mobile phone camera is great mate. Very clear photos, wish mine was that good as it gives a less colourful reproduction.

Brad

its the same..but i think its edsa now... its like buendia station "gil puyat"

Thanks for that.
Anyone know how long ago since they changed names? I know Buendia was named this during my visit in 1999, but this years trip was my first to see EDSA.

I am still confused about Bitucan station as appearing in your earlier shot. Does this go under a different name or can you identify where exactly it is?
Have gone through the photos of my jounreny twice and have not got a shot of it, although I am almost certain I got all of them as we stopped.

It is listed in Wikipedia though:

Tutuban-Southrail (Tayuman) - Tutuban Mall, Tondo, Manila
Blumentritt - near SM City San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila (interchange with Yellow Line at Blumentritt)
Laong Laan - Sampaloc, Manila
España - Sampaloc, Manila
Santa Mesa - Santa Mesa, Manila (interchange with Purple Line at V. Mapa)
Pandacan - Pandacan, Manila
Santa Ana (temporary) - Santa Ana, Manila
Herran (Pedro Gil) - Paco, Manila
Vito Cruz - San Andres Bukid, Manila
Gil Puyat (Buendia) - Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City
Pasay Road (Arnaiz) - Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City
EDSA-Magallanes - Barangays Magallanes and Bangkal, EDSA, Makati City (interchange with Blue Line at Magallanes)
FTI - Signal Village, Taguig City (near the boundary with Parañaque City and Pasay City; located at the bottom of Metro Manila Skyway)
Bicutan - PNCC Headquarters, Barangay San Martin de Porres, Parañaque City
Sucat - Sucat, Muntinlupa City
Alabang - Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Muntinlupa (Buli) - Buli, Muntinlupa City

Northrail _ Southrail Part I (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=98073)

Northrail - Southrail Part II (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=293158)


^^ Let's continue the discussions here...

^^Time for Northrail - Southrail Part III (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=14800215#post14800215) :lock: :lock: :lock:

Is there a limit of 1000 for a thread?
Going back through all the 'Transport and Infrastructure' threads it seems the 'Northrail-Southrail' one of 1005 is a bit of a record.
Great to see so much interest in the nations railways. Certainly makes me happy.

MABUHAY.

Brad

ok ,to the next thread....

where will i post my next pictures? here ? or on the N-s linkage part 2? why cant it be on just 1 thread???

This Northrail - Southrail Part II has reached over 1000 post.. i guess that's the limit for threads under Around the Philippines category. I could be wrong though.

@kaelthas18, you can repost all of your updates here..

Thanks for that.
Anyone know how long ago since they changed names? I know Buendia was named this during my visit in 1999, but this years trip was my first to see EDSA.

I am still confused about Bitucan station as appearing in your earlier shot. Does this go under a different name or can you identify where exactly it is?
Have gone through the photos of my jounreny twice and have not got a shot of it, although I am almost certain I got all of them as we stopped.

It is listed in Wikipedia though:

Tutuban-Southrail (Tayuman) - Tutuban Mall, Tondo, Manila
Blumentritt - near SM City San Lazaro, Santa Cruz, Manila (interchange with Yellow Line at Blumentritt)
Laong Laan - Sampaloc, Manila
España - Sampaloc, Manila
Santa Mesa - Santa Mesa, Manila (interchange with Purple Line at V. Mapa)
Pandacan - Pandacan, Manila
Santa Ana (temporary) - Santa Ana, Manila
Herran (Pedro Gil) - Paco, Manila
Vito Cruz - San Andres Bukid, Manila
Gil Puyat (Buendia) - Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City
Pasay Road (Arnaiz) - Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City
EDSA-Magallanes - Barangays Magallanes and Bangkal, EDSA, Makati City (interchange with Blue Line at Magallanes)
FTI - Signal Village, Taguig City (near the boundary with Parañaque City and Pasay City; located at the bottom of Metro Manila Skyway)
Bicutan - PNCC Headquarters, Barangay San Martin de Porres, Parañaque City
Sucat - Sucat, Muntinlupa City
Alabang - Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Muntinlupa (Buli) - Buli, Muntinlupa City

bicutan is my 2nd picture, bicutan is along gen.santos corner east toll plaza of bicutan toll gate of slex.it is near the bicutan market and many vendors and squatters..
i didn't get closer to that bcos many squatters with tatoos..

actually acording to pnr, blumentritt's old name was san lazaro station ,the next station is laon laan,then next is espana which on those days there were no espana station, there was sampaloc station near Lealtad street. There was no sta. ana station, the magnificent neo classic bldg along quirino ave and plaza dilao is the old paco central station. it was neglected by some builder contractor somewhere in 1999 , Today u will ee the ruins of the paco station, still there is paco station, tomorow i wil go there, its only temporary, relatively small, no platform.. no shed, a lil waiting area and a station communication building. its near pedro gil st. (herran)

pio del pilar was the name of pasay road on those days, Buli is in between sucat and alabang, its gone today,its just a crossing i think..
this is my video in blumentritt early this morning ,its raining, and someone again tried to throw water, and now its a pail of water,damn!:bash:

UDDiUGN-MY0

^^ GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY....AHMMM!!!! NGORK!!!! NGORK!!!!...:lol: Im still sleepy.....

^^ Congratulations...who got the 1000th reply? Im suppose to get it....he he he...

This Northrail - Southrail Part II has reached over 1000 post.. i guess that's the limit for threads under Around the Philippines category. I could be wrong though.

@kaelthas18, you can repost all of your updates here..

^^ Kahit d2 na lang Nathan...Cge na please i-post u na dali!!!! Excited na kac me....pls. pls. pls.......

From Philippine Star July 0, 2007

NorthRail coaches to run on biodesel

MALOLOS CITY - Train coaches that will ply the double-track, 32 kilometer NorthRail starting 2010 will be powered by biodiesel.

Jose Cortez, president of the North Luzon Railways Corp. (NorthRail), told The STAR that the first 28 diesel motor units that will serve the railway project will initially be powered by biodiesel.

Cortez, said the government's biofuel law augurs well for the NorthRail project, noting that thousand of hectares of land in Nueva Ecija are already planted with jathropa whose oil could be processed into biodiesel.

He said government agenceis have also expressed interest to convert his 4,000 hectare property in Surigao into a jathropa plantation.

Cortez said the NorthRail coaches can also run on electricity.

Conceived in the mid-90's, the NorthRail project will link the cities of Caloocan and Malolos in Bulacan, and eventually Angeles City in Pampanga, for a total of 75 kilometers, using the right of way of the Philippine National Railways.

Cortez said the project will boost local economies and provide mass transport to some 150,000 passengers daily in its initial operations and about 350,000 pasengers on its 11th year.

Two years ago, some 30,000 families in Caloocan and Malolos was relocated to in-town resetlement sites to give way to the project.

However work on the project has been slow, at present, only about seven percent of the 32-kilometer NorthRail has been completed.

President Arroyo has ordered NorthRail to fast-track the project before she steps down from office three years from now.

Cortez, hoever, said they are doing everything to speed up the project, but there are certain things beyond their control.

For instance, he said Chinese contractors have brought in steel that does not conform to Philippine standards.

He added that there were also problems with the NorthRail design as it took a Chinese institute tapped by the contractors too long to come up with it.

But Cortez and Dennis Jugueta, NorthRail vice president for engineering, said the contractors already have a preliminary design.

Cortez said the design came on installments, as certain segments of the NorthRail are too narrow for the double-track railway, which requires a width of at least 15 meters.

Meanwhile, Cortez said they have a self-mposed deadline to "have all the land that we need" by the end of October.

Jugueta said NorthRail has the money to compensate owners of lots to be affected by the railway project.

If negotiations fail, he said they might be forced to expropriate the land beside the old PNR right-of-way in favor of NorthRail.

people, can we have a thread that is exclusive for official updates.
and separate the discussion? :)

people, can we have a thread that is exclusive for official updates.
and separate the discussion? :)

I think this is already enough that we combine both for our convenience. Sometimes my comments are based on the update that was posted very recently. So if someone wants to clarify it, he would only look at one thread..

bicutan is my 2nd picture, bicutan is along gen.santos corner east toll plaza of bicutan toll gate of slex.it is near the bicutan market and many vendors and squatters..
i didn't get closer to that bcos many squatters with tatoos..

actually acording to pnr, blumentritt's old name was san lazaro station ,the next station is laon laan,then next is espana which on those days there were no espana station, there was sampaloc station near Lealtad street. There was no sta. ana station, the magnificent neo classic bldg along quirino ave and plaza dilao is the old paco central station. it was neglected by some builder contractor somewhere in 1999 , Today u will ee the ruins of the paco station, still there is paco station, tomorow i wil go there, its only temporary, relatively small, no platform.. no shed, a lil waiting area and a station communication building. its near pedro gil st. (herran)

pio del pilar was the name of pasay road on those days, Buli is in between sucat and alabang, its gone today,its just a crossing i think..
this is my video in blumentritt early this morning ,its raining, and someone again tried to throw water, and now its a pail of water,damn!:bash:

UDDiUGN-MY0

I hope they will also build a station in between Tayuman and Blumentrit. More passengers are in within that area.

^^ aaaarrrgggghh!!! :bash: there are still houses along the rails? when will they be demolished and relocated? or those houses are not covered by the north-south projects?

how come i'm unable to see the pics....are those only for the pure hearted ....bait din naman ako ah....bakit nde ko sya makita... :ohno:

how come i'm unable to see the pics....are those only for the pure hearted ....bait din naman ako ah....bakit nde ko sya makita... :ohno:

^^ You try the Old Thread Northrail - Southrail II. This is a new thread only yesterday....

^^ aaaarrrgggghh!!! :bash: there are still houses along the rails? when will they be demolished and relocated? or those houses are not covered by the north-south projects?

^^ Those houses are soon to be demolished. As long as they are part of the 30m PNR ROW, they are still to be relocated. I think the resettlements are not yet done and as I've heard form informations that it will be available before the end of August and that the relocations will be started before August Ends....:)

Yamanote Line in Japan....

This is exactly whats the SouthRail and NorthRail Linkage would look like after let say 20-30 years. The line is called the Main Loop of Tokyo, in which all JR train lines converge and lines have an access within the loop through the stations..This is exactly what happens if we try to imagine the future expansion of the PNR railroads in Metro Manila and other suburban provinces. To provide a reliable mass transportation, I think our government had already address not only the needs of todays railways but for the future blueprint for the next 20-30 years.

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/28937/shiodome_and_shimbashi.jpg

today after i was stranded at espana, i ride mrt at quezon ave all the way to magallanes, just to finish my task for today, tomrw paco and pandacan

http://file.uploadr.com/fcc3-embed
edsa station... still simple design.."can it accomodate a 70 meter or 100 meter train ?? i dont think so..nyak"

http://file.uploadr.com/fcc4-embed
old magallanes , just beside the new 1 torn apart but left the columns of the station..

http://file.uploadr.com/fcc5-embed
magallanes interchange park, just below the magallanes interchange at slex, again " i sneek shot again" afraid of holdupers and snatchers..haha, i have once been holdup in a jeep in 2004, cant take away my trauma, i was stun that day

^^ WOW!!! Ok ang view sa EDSA Station, ang linis na ah...Sana ganito na lahat ng mga stations...Malinis na lalo na if matapos na ang Linkage Project...

^^ There must be total regrading of the railtracks lamenting the continued floodings in Metro Manila. I saw it yesterday on TV the portion of South Expressway extension in Makati.. It was so flooded I estimate the water is a 1ft to 2ft. You cannot totally see the PNR Tracks and hope the contractors and the designers would address this problem.. Trains are one of the most realiable transportation and it must be from all of this stuff....

Francis Xavier Please post the links to the 1st and 2nd thread so it's easy to find.

Yamanote Line in Japan....

This is exactly whats the SouthRail and NorthRail Linkage would look like after let say 20-30 years. The line is called the Main Loop of Tokyo, in which all JR train lines converge and lines have an access within the loop through the stations..This is exactly what happens if we try to imagine the future expansion of the PNR railroads in Metro Manila and other suburban provinces. To provide a reliable mass transportation, I think our government had already address not only the needs of todays railways but for the future blueprint for the next 20-30 years.

http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/28937/shiodome_and_shimbashi.jpg

the mention of yamanote line brings back memories...of my sojourn in japan....nde naman lahat ng stations nila maganda...coz some of it are old stations pa...malinis lang talaga...kahit luma na pag malinis...iba talaga ang dating...ganda na pala ang magallanes...just imagine that.....they said no one can make the squatters go....political will lang talaga....i think it would only be proper na pasalamatan natin..si gma, noli boy at bayani f....after years of rut...nakakabangon na ulit tayo....good pics btw...

^^ My regards for all those who participated in NorthRail-SouthRail Thread I and II specially those who have waited since 2005 until now.. Thanks for the ideas that made newcomers likes us more inspired....:okay:

^^ My regards for all those who participated in NorthRail-SouthRail Thread I and II specially those who have waited since 2005 until now.. Thanks for the ideas that made newcomers likes us more inspired....:okay:

thanks....nkita ko rin yung pics...sa thread II

the mention of yamanote line brings back memories...of my sojourn in japan....nde naman lahat ng stations nila maganda...coz some of it are old stations pa...malinis lang talaga...kahit luma na pag malinis...iba talaga ang dating...ganda na pala ang magallanes...just imagine that.....they said no one can make the squatters go....political will lang talaga....i think it would only be proper na pasalamatan natin..si gma, noli boy at bayani f....after years of rut...nakakabangon na ulit tayo....good pics btw...


^^ I agree with you, just to improve the environment in that railtracks is already a milestone. Were creating here a history in a very humane way. Since People Power we really try it hard to be careful in dealing with these railway peoples. But now the government is slowly becoming mature and we have to give them regards. Kung may frustration tayo, mas matindi ang frustration nila if theres a project that is not yet started. Thanks to our very own hardworking President Glo and to the will powered Vice President Noli and to all other who supported this project including us ofcourse...he he he...

Im already satisfied just to see our railways free of squatters yun pa kaya kung papalitan ng bago...:okay:

the mention of yamanote line brings back memories...of my sojourn in japan....nde naman lahat ng stations nila maganda...coz some of it are old stations pa...malinis lang talaga...kahit luma na pag malinis...iba talaga ang dating...ganda na pala ang magallanes...just imagine that.....they said no one can make the squatters go....political will lang talaga....i think it would only be proper na pasalamatan natin..si gma, noli boy at bayani f....after years of rut...nakakabangon na ulit tayo....good pics btw...

^^ Ganda ng mga Stations ng JR noh! The trains are mixtures of new, slightly old and hightech. Most of the stations are so simple but others are super big, like the Shinagawa SuperTracks....

I noticed when I went there. The flatform was made of asphalt just like the one being used in roads and highways. I ask my Jap friend about this and he said that asphalt is better since concrete finishes gives a crack image incase theres a slight earthquake and also asphalt gives a dark image. Perfect match for the yellow warning lane...

Francis Xavier Please post the links to the 1st and 2nd thread so it's easy to find.


^^ That's good so that we can easily have an access to some old infos incase of verification and referral. Once the project is done, thats the time we have to archive it...Thanks for the suggestion...

I wish wheel of steel was the thread starter for this thread. Then the latest updates and informative posts would just be updated in the 1st post. It's the best way to update in a 500+ thread like this thread will soon be. :D

^^ I wonder what would be the design of the Southrail Stations, considering the low cost funding of the project ($50m)... In my own estimates, I could hardly come-up to the design similar to that of the LRT2- Megatren. My expectation is that they will just reconstruct it, regrade the tracks, fence the station premises. It would look like a modern station but probably will retain the original concept.

^^ Wheels Temporary Concept of a simple station of a Southrail...Low-Cost Infra...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1195/1134122349_36ac1ba74f_o.jpg

^^ THE TRACKS!!! Close View....

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1334/1135087972_9b33e3c26e_o.jpg

^^ Double Track Narrow Gauge Railway at 1067mm Spacing...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1140/1135189582_2c018474fa_o.jpg

because of hevy rains yesterday a pnr derailed near pandacan and todayanother 1 !=( damn THOSE who steel the nails of the sleepers!!!

nice 1 wheel of steel:banana:

nice 1 wheel of steel:banana:

^^ Thanks Nathan....the important is ur ok now!!! Better luck na lang next time...hmmm...Butin na lang sa drawing ko alang tubig sa riless...he he he:lol:

i went earlier her... the temporary paco station at pedro gil st.

http://file.uploadr.com/fd23-embed

i went earlier her... the temporary paco station at pedro gil st.

http://file.uploadr.com/fd23-embed

Gusshhh!..buti may upuan pa. Kahit cguro may bubung, pag umulan basa ka pa rin. He he he...:lol: We'll anyway let's just enjoy it..1 year na lang may bago na tayong railway...BRAND NEW!!!

Noli assures Southrail families of basic needs in relocation sites
Manila Bulletin
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20070816100451.html


Vice President Noli de Castro yesterday assured families along the railroad tracks of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Southrail in Manila, Taguig, and Muntinlupa that basic entitlements will be provided to them in relocation sites.

This was his response when asked about the protests raised by some families from the Sampaloc (Manila) segment asking that the government follow only a 3.5- meter clearing.

"Gusto sana naming silang pagbigyan, pero panahon na para naman makaranas ang karaniwan ng mga Pilipino ng moderno at mas mabilis na uri ng transportasyon pang masa. At kailangan dito malinis ang 15 meter rail right-of-way sa bahagi ng Manila dahil ito ang safety requirement para sa Rail Linkage Project (We wish to accommodate them, but it’s time for the ordinary people to enjoy modern and fast transportation for the masses. It’s necessary to have a clean 15-meter rail right-of-way in Manila because it is a safety requirement for the Rail Linkage Project)," he said.

"Ilang beses ko na rin ipinaliwanag sa mga apektadong pamilya ang requirement na ito. Sa katunayan, nakalipat na ang humigit kumulang mga 4,000 ka-pamilya mula Pandacan, Sta. Mesa, at Sampaloc (I explained this requirement many times to the adversely affected families. In fact, about 4,000 families have already been transferred to housing sites from Pandacan, Sta. Mesa, and Sampaloc)," the Vice President said.

"Ang mga nagmamatigas lamang ay yung mga informal settlers beyond the 3.5 meters who have permanent multi-story and commercial structures. Sila itong nag pupumilit na dapat 3.5 meters lang. Bakit hindi ka nga naman magrereklamo kung kumikita ka ng di baba sa R50,000 sa paupahang commercial area? (The stubborn ones are the informal settlers beyond the 3,5 meters who have permanent multi-storey and commercial structures. They insist on only 3.5 meters. Why indeed would they not complain if they earn about R50,000 rent for commercial space?)"

De Castro said that whenever feasible, the government adopts an "incity" or "in-town" resettlement policy. However, in the case of Manila, this is not possible due to lack of land, the high cost of land, and congestion.

He said that 16,400 families from the Valenzuela and Bulacan segments of the Northrail were all transferred to "incity" and "in-town" resettlement sites. In the case of Manila, the government is left with the option to pursue "near- town" relocation policy.

"Kaya ang mga taga-Manila ay nilikas namin sa Cabuyao, Laguna, at Trece Martirez, Cavite. Sinabi ko naman sa kanila na hindi sila ililikas ng walang bahay at pangunahing pasilidad, tulad ng tubig, kuryente, at eskwelahan (That’s why those from Manila were moved to Cabuyao, Laguna, and Trece Martirez in Cavite. But I told them they will not be moved to places without housing units, water, electricity, and schools.)"

The NHA said that pending sweeping demolition, about 800 families have volunteered to move from Sampaloc. About 1,000 families in Taguig have already volunteered to transfer to Trece Martirez, although the timetable for relocation activities in this segment is scheduled in September. The commercial structures have already been cleared, De Castro said.

How fast does this thread pass?... Part III has just started and now its post #38!!!

How fast does the N-S rail project go?

Shinkansen speed!

kasing bilis ng mga snatchers sa quiapo eheheheh :D

more people now are more interested in n-s linkage because its much interesting than northrail i think? wat do u think?...hmmm:nuts:

Train derails in Manila
Philippine star
By Rainier Allan Ronda
Thursday, August 16, 2007

A northbound Philippine National Railways (PNR) train derailed yesterday morning near the Pandacan station in Paco, Manila.

Lito Nierva, PNR operations manager, said that no one was reported hurt after Train 302 derailed at around 7 a.m. several meters before reaching the Pandacan station.

The train’s wheels slightly tilted to its side but did not came off the tracks.

Nierva claimed that several steel nails were stolen from the railway tracks and the softening of the soil foundation due to recent heavy rains resulted in the derailment.

He said the train was traveling at moderate speed and did not stray away from the tracks after getting derailed.

He said the “pandrol clips” or steel nails that secure the railroad tracks in that area were stolen.

Nierva said the suspects are some residents in the shanties along the railroad tracks.

Aside from the missing pandrol clips, Nierva said that the soft ground under the railroad tracks caused by the recent heavy rains also contributed to the unstable track.

Nierva said that after an hour of repair work, PNR workers were able to fix the tracks and Train 302 was set in place and it resumed operations until it reached the Tayuman station.

He said the PNR would check the condition of the railtracks in the Paco area to conduct possible repairs.

^^ Wheels Temporary Concept of a simple station of a Southrail...Low-Cost Infra...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1195/1134122349_36ac1ba74f_o.jpg

@WoS, Autocad Inventor ba ginamit mo? Nice!

more people now are more interested in n-s linkage because its much interesting than northrail i think? wat do u think?...hmmm:nuts:

I'm more interested with Southrail... papunta samin to eh :lol:...

Train derails in Manila
Philippine star
By Rainier Allan Ronda
Thursday, August 16, 2007

A northbound Philippine National Railways (PNR) train derailed yesterday morning near the Pandacan station in Paco, Manila.

Lito Nierva, PNR operations manager, said that no one was reported hurt after Train 302 derailed at around 7 a.m. several meters before reaching the Pandacan station.

The train’s wheels slightly tilted to its side but did not came off the tracks.

Nierva claimed that several steel nails were stolen from the railway tracks and the softening of the soil foundation due to recent heavy rains resulted in the derailment.

He said the train was traveling at moderate speed and did not stray away from the tracks after getting derailed.

He said the “pandrol clips” or steel nails that secure the railroad tracks in that area were stolen.

Nierva said the suspects are some residents in the shanties along the railroad tracks.

Aside from the missing pandrol clips, Nierva said that the soft ground under the railroad tracks caused by the recent heavy rains also contributed to the unstable track.

Nierva said that after an hour of repair work, PNR workers were able to fix the tracks and Train 302 was set in place and it resumed operations until it reached the Tayuman station.

He said the PNR would check the condition of the railtracks in the Paco area to conduct possible repairs.

Timely talaga ang pagrehab ng SouthRail. Today and coming days are the worst days of PNR service to note. The PNR will not conduct any repair along the line anymore because of the upcoming major rehabilitation. Perhaps minor repairs just to remove the derailed trains....

I'm more interest with Southrail... papunta samin to eh :lol:...

^^ Kung ikaw ay super interested...Ako im dying to have it na d2 sa Bicol.:nuts: Before the Super Typhoon Reming, everything depends on trains here in Bicol. Now, OMG Kahit and mga bus d2, walang kwenta. Lucky for you there in Lucena kasi 2loy na 2loy na ang construction ng Southrail dyan. Definitely commuter service and ilalagay ng PNR between Lucena and Caloocan.

I wish once na kahit repair lang sana ng mga bridges basta makabalik lang service ng tren pero sa Calamba pa lang, totally giba talaga ang bridge. That's why total construction na ang gagawin..

But Im very much happy kc may info me na baka ang Southrail mula Lucena at Naga ay magsimula na early part ng 2008 due completion on 2011....Ongoing na kasi ang census sa Railroad dwellers sa Naga City.....

@WoS, Autocad Inventor ba ginamit mo? Nice!

^^ Ordinary AutoCAD lang R2002. I just rendered it in PhotoReal. If you the program, you can try to render but in PhoroReal Mode.

@Lucentino,

^^ I think Lucena is the biggest city in Southern Luzon. The bus im riding from Legazpi to Manila use to stop there at BLTB Terminal. I notice that there are a lot of big buildings there compared to Legazpi, Naga, and perhaps Batangas City. Dapat lang na may Train Service dyan from Manila. ^^

^^ If only I could have a copy of the perspective of the real station or at least one of us will post here, I could reconstruct it to be better viewed. Sana makakuha tau ng kahit isa man lang na actual drawing sa isang station.

what station? the old??hahaha

^^ No way for the old thing!! he he he...Anyway as long as it can be used as part of the history, well let it go. Ung sa Old Tutuban Station, magandang irender yun..:)

@WoS, Autocad Inventor ba ginamit mo? Nice!

^^ Pwede rin gamitin 3DMax. Sa akin AutoCAD for the sake of accuracy.... Sa 3DMax, madali magcreate ng 3d. Sa AutoCAD, kailangan meron kang measurement to be exact...

ako autocad 2006 then render with viz 07

This Northrail - Southrail Part II has reached over 1000 post.. i guess that's the limit for threads under Around the Philippines category. I could be wrong though.

@kaelthas18, you can repost all of your updates here..


Drat, I was wondering when we would reach the 10,000 mark :-)
Theres already another 49 since I was on Wednesday night.

Any updates on how the railways a fairing through all the rain there?

Brad

bicutan is my 2nd picture, bicutan is along gen.santos corner east toll plaza of bicutan toll gate of slex.it is near the bicutan market and many vendors and squatters..
i didn't get closer to that bcos many squatters with tatoos..
]


Thanks for that. I am unsure how I missed Bicutan station, unless I have muddled up one of my photos. I will have to go through them again.
Many thanks for the historic information on old station names, its great to know all that.

Congratulations...who got the 1000th reply? Im suppose to get it....he he he...

I just looked back and by chance it was me :)
I hope I win a huge bowl of pork adobo. My fave was down the bus station at Legazpi.
Just air freight is down here :lol:

Any updates on how the railways a fairing through all the rain there?

Brad

See the first post in this page by kaelthas18. Train derailed, not due to the rain but because someone had stolen nails from the tracks. :bash:

I think this is already enough that we combine both for our convenience. Sometimes my comments are based on the update that was posted very recently. So if someone wants to clarify it, he would only look at one thread..

I tend to agree with WoS, it is a lot easier to discuss news reports on the same forum than to have to switch back and forth between threads. It may cause less discussion as people avoid the switching back and forth.
I've been keeping a record of all information about the rebuild project that I have come across over the years. It will be handy in the future if needed by historians.
The reporter in the latst article seems a little confused though. Are they coaches or are they diesel multiple units? :lol:


I hope they will also build a station in between Tayuman and Blumentrit. More passengers are in within that area...

Again we agree. If it is true they have closed Tayuman then there is a huge bit of population being missed from Tutuban to Blumentritt. This could well be one of the more viable stations.

There must be total regrading of the railtracks lamenting the continued floodings in Metro Manila. I saw it yesterday on TV the portion of South Expressway extension in Makati.. It was so flooded I estimate the water is a 1ft to 2ft. You cannot totally see the PNR Tracks and hope the contractors and the designers would address this problem.. Trains are one of the most realiable transportation and it must be from all of this stuff.......

I small rising of the formation, culverts in regular problem spots and packing up on a good pile of ballast should be enough to keep it through all but the worst Manila floods.
Even today, certainly quite regularly in the olden days' sometimes railways come to the aid of Aussie communities after roads are cut by flood. Because the rails usually sit higher than the land the trains often can keep running after road transport has ceased.

Brad

^^ My regards for all those who participated in NorthRail-SouthRail Thread I and II specially those who have waited since 2005 until now.. Thanks for the ideas that made newcomers likes us more inspired....:okay:

It astounds me the thread has been going so long and I had not found it until after I get back from the Phils this year.
I only found it through a search and I am usually always searching for Philippine stuff. Anyway thankfully I did come across it and meet all you guys.

Brad

^^ Double Track Narrow Gauge Railway at 1067mm Spacing...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1140/1135189582_2c018474fa_o.jpg

Hopefully they will add ballast though ;)

i went earlier her... the temporary paco station at pedro gil st.

http://file.uploadr.com/fd23-embed

Doubt you would have noticed, but I wonder if they have fixed the embankent under the down track just beyond the station?
It was very dangerous when I was there and the recent rains could only make it more so.
Hope the driver isn't proved correct when he said "they will fix it when the loco rolls over".

Brad

See the first post in this page by kaelthas18. Train derailed, not due to the rain but because someone had stolen nails from the tracks. :bash:

Its going to be interesting to see how they will address this sort of thing when they start running higher speed trains.
At the moment a derailment around Manila is not a major affair (afterall they are going to slow for a real catastrophy) but if they plan to hit speeds of around 100kph stolen spikes could likely result in the death of 'man' people should a train go catapulting through a barangay.\

Has anyone ever been caught for this crime? Punishment really needs to be likened to attempted murder or terrorism. It may then be taken more seriously.

Brad

pnr needs a whole stretch of high voltage electric fence..haha... and many security guards...hahaha.. or guard towers.. to secure the whole stretch of the line..

Even though the government torn down the squatters a setback of 15 meters still there are more shanties and illegal settlements after the 15 meter setback, i hope all the squatter be relocated no matter the cost, to avoid another comeback of them...

With the demolision typhoon reaching Espana this scene will be next to go.

Laon Laan - Feb 2007

http://www.geocities.com/philippinerailwayhistorical/2007_02_09_Laon_Laan_Squatters_Brad_Peadon.jpg

pnr needs a whole stretch of high voltage electric fence..haha... and many security guards...hahaha.. or guard towers.. to secure the whole stretch of the line..



Surely just some random landmines and bear traps would be enough of a deterant. :lol:

Ang on, what am I saying. I have to trespass for photos in the future. :lol:

Brad

Someone who must have plenty of stories to tell about life 'Along Da Riles'.
It would be wonderful to be able to interview people like her and be able to record their history, the way they lived and their views on what is happening.
Any journalists on this thread??????????

http://www.geocities.com/philippinerailwayhistorical/2007_02_09_SquatterGirl_Laon_Laan_Brad_Peadon.jpg

^^ Oh my goodness, I forgot to put ballast on my drawning..NGEK!!! ha ha ha....:lol: The tracks will move....

With the demolision typhoon reaching Espana this scene will be next to go.

Laon Laan - Feb 2007

http://www.geocities.com/philippinerailwayhistorical/2007_02_09_Laon_Laan_Squatters_Brad_Peadon.jpg

^^ I like this picture, dramatic as it looks and appears something like historic. Being black and white, it reminds of other photos of PNR especially the Old Tutuban Station....Nice Shot!!!....

^^ I like this picture, dramatic as it looks and appears something like historic. Being black and white, it reminds of other photos of PNR especially the Old Tutuban Station....Nice Shot!!!....

Thanks mate.

Been in the mood to get stuck into preparing shots for the modelling site.

Blumentritt Station
http://www.geocities.com/philippinerailwayhistorical/2007_02_09_Blumentritt_Station_Squatters_Brad_Peadon.jpg

Blumentritt again. LRT station above.

Not sure what that oval thing on the pole is to the right. Looks like it may be an old signal. Sadly I didn't notce it while there, it would be worth saving for the historical society if it is.

http://www.geocities.com/philippinerailwayhistorical/2007_02_09_Blumentritt_LRT_Station_Brad_Peadon.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/philippinerailwayhistorical/2007_02_09_Espana_Station_Squatters_Brad_Peadon.jpg

waaa! can't see the pictures! what happened?

Train derails in Manila
Philippine star
By Rainier Allan Ronda
Thursday, August 16, 2007

Nierva claimed that several steel nails were stolen from the railway tracks and the softening of the soil foundation due to recent heavy rains resulted in the derailment..


A local Manila member of the Philippine Railway forum brought up an interesting point today.
Could it be that the track spikes (nails, pins, ties whatever) have been so rusted that they just gave way? Like him, I have noted how rusty these things are and inspection has shown that a great effort would be needed to remove some of them.
Even here I have seen track spikes that have rusted themselves out of place, in some circumstances they have rusted to disintergration stage,
Could those in charge possibly be pushing the stolen parts thing (given it has happened in the past) so they dont have to admit that the unmaintained tracks their trains are carrying you on are actually not able to hold the train.
The hard mud surrounding these lines quite often covers the sleeper areas in this location and if the mud was to soften, as reported her, loose rusty rails would start moving.

Just a possibility.

Brad

waaa! can't see the pictures! what happened?


Chito,
There has been a huge surge in people visiting the website and it has gone over quote. Before long they should all reappear.
Sorry about that - at least they are popular :)

Brad

^^ It appears that the typhoon is so strong. It even washed away our photos down here.. He he he....:lol:

laong laan update... pictured last monday

http://file.uploadr.com/fd52-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/fd53-embed

hehehe..:ohno:

^^ You try the Old Thread Northrail - Southrail II. This is a new thread only yesterday....

kita ko na...thx...

laong laan update... pictured last monday

http://file.uploadr.com/fd52-embed

http://file.uploadr.com/fd53-embed

hehehe..:ohno:

^^ AYOS!!! Nawala na ang mga sampay na damit...he he he...may development na talaga.... This will be the next to be relocated....

i lived once in algeciras st near laong laan and dimasalang when i was still a student and never did i noticed that theres is such a laong laan station...anyway....as the president said she will be back again next year on the same site to inaugurate the new north-south interconnection project... sana matapos on time...

^^ Does anyone here knows of a modern rail sleds ever to caught an attention from passengers due to its uniqueness.... At least before they gone!

^^ It appears that the typhoon is so strong. It even washed away our photos down here.. He he he....:lol:


Yyeeeehhhaarr typhoon must be clearing, the photos have resumed normal operation :banana:

Brad

^^ Does anyone here knows of a modern rail sleds ever to caught an attention from passengers due to its uniqueness.... At least before they gone!

Mate, while on the bus returning from Legazpi I crossed the line and swear I saw a motorized sled.
Sadly being on the bus mean't I was unable to have a good look.
Would love to know how they achieved this. There is no end to Filipino ingenuity :)

Brad

Mate, while on the bus returning from Legazpi I crossed the line and swear I saw a motorized sled.
Sadly being on the bus mean't I was unable to have a good look.
Would love to know how they achieved this. There is no end to Filipino ingenuity :)

Brad


^^ My friend in Ragay told me that their sleds are somewhat very creative compared to sleds beng used in Metro Manila. I'll try to look for this and have photos to be shared for all before I go to Metro Manila....

^^ Northrail said that they are already 7% complete base on the imformation Ive posted on NSII. I suspect that before the construction, a series of testing must be done including the integrity and consistency of the soil, exact survey of the right of way and the measurement of the construction site including the stations and the depots. I think the 7% accomplishment is the work done on the rail track bed preparation aside from soil testing. I saw a picture in the internet together with the vice president, a portion of the Caloocan ROW is already flattened with hard soil.

^^ My friend in Ragay told me that their sleds are somewhat very creative compared to sleds beng used in Metro Manila. I'll try to look for this and have photos to be shared for all before I go to Metro Manila....

Thanks mate, I would be very interested.
Actually to date I think these sleds are something that have been overlooked in the preservation idea. They are just as much a part of rail history there.

I'm off to pick up the wife. Will leave you with this little picture I was mucking around with today :lol:

http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/2007_02_09_Lake_Paco_Brad_Peadon.jpg

pnr needs a whole stretch of high voltage electric fence..haha... and many security guards...hahaha.. or guard towers.. to secure the whole stretch of the line..

Even though the government torn down the squatters a setback of 15 meters still there are more shanties and illegal settlements after the 15 meter setback, i hope all the squatter be relocated no matter the cost, to avoid another comeback of them...

^^ If I will be given an opprtnity to design a railtrack, I will put lots and lots of spikes and nails outside the ballasted area of the track...in order to keep the slums away.... He he he..Malupit!!!:bash:

^^ Northrail said that they are already 7% complete base on the imformation Ive posted on NSII. I suspect that before the construction, a series of testing must be done including the integrity and consistency of the soil, exact survey of the right of way and the measurement of the construction site including the stations and the depots. I think the 7% accomplishment is the work done on the rail track bed preparation aside from soil testing. I saw a picture in the internet together with the vice president, a portion of the Caloocan ROW is already flattened with hard soil.

I suspect you are right.
They were planning to bring in three locomotives from China for the track building. There has been no mention of their arrival, but one would expect these would form part of the October date given for everything they need to build the project to be there.
Be the first time this century a new loco arrived in the Philippines. Another historic railway event.

Brad

^^ Kung ikaw ay super interested...Ako im dying to have it na d2 sa Bicol.:nuts: Before the Super Typhoon Reming, everything depends on trains here in Bicol. Now, OMG Kahit and mga bus d2, walang kwenta. Lucky for you there in Lucena kasi 2loy na 2loy na ang construction ng Southrail dyan. Definitely commuter service and ilalagay ng PNR between Lucena and Caloocan.

I wish once na kahit repair lang sana ng mga bridges basta makabalik lang service ng tren pero sa Calamba pa lang, totally giba talaga ang bridge. That's why total construction na ang gagawin..

But Im very much happy kc may info me na baka ang Southrail mula Lucena at Naga ay magsimula na early part ng 2008 due completion on 2011....Ongoing na kasi ang census sa Railroad dwellers sa Naga City.....

Yup with an efficient train service, we might not need that expensive South Luzon Expressway Extension in the next 10 yrs!

Mate, while on the bus returning from Legazpi I crossed the line and swear I saw a motorized sled.
Sadly being on the bus mean't I was unable to have a good look.
Would love to know how they achieved this. There is no end to Filipino ingenuity :)

Brad

I myself was priviledged enough to ride a motorized sled (or trolley as the locals there would call it) at Calauag, Quezon in 1997... There are also some motorized sleds serving the Sariaya-Lucena route... and oh man, the bridge at Iyam River in Lucena did not have railings --- one mistake and you could fall 10 meters below into the water! But that was in 1990... a long time ago!

I think these sleds could go as fast as 40-50kph depending on load... ofcourse the small friction on the rail and wheel helps them achieve this...

Its concept was like the motorized pedicabs you see around Sta. Cruz and Quiapo, Manila... The engines they use are similar to the ones used on some outtrigger boats of the fishermen.

Thanks mate, I would be very interested.
Actually to date I think these sleds are something that have been overlooked in the preservation idea. They are just as much a part of rail history there.

I'm off to pick up the wife. Will leave you with this little picture I was mucking around with today :lol:

http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/2007_02_09_Lake_Paco_Brad_Peadon.jpg


^^ Ha ha ha...This picture really makes me laugh hard...ha ha ha..:lol: Sled owners must bring together a small boat for crossing lakes....ha ha ha....:lol: :bash:

Yup with an efficient train service, we might not need that expensive South Luzon Expressway Extension in the next 10 yrs!

^^ For me, Lucena City is the biggest City in Southern Luzon. The need for infrastructure is a must and I hope railway system must come first.

I suspect you are right.
They were planning to bring in three locomotives from China for the track building. There has been no mention of their arrival, but one would expect these would form part of the October date given for everything they need to build the project to be there.
Be the first time this century a new loco arrived in the Philippines. Another historic railway event.

Brad

Thanks Mate! You're right, back in the 1960s I think was the last time we acquired brand new Locos in the era of Dieselization... It's only now that a brand new one will arrive for almost 30 years... Its also a good opportunity to prove the consistency and quality of the Chinese made Loco's.

WoS

Are they using Chinese made diesel machine? Or Chinese made body but Japan made machine?

^^ Slums are really eyesores to everyone. So after all the stuffs have been made, ensuring that they will not be coming back again is of paramount importance. Going to Bicol is very long line. Obviously, fencing the whole strech doesn't seems to be practical. I think proper law implementation is a must with an increase heavy penalties. Also, obliging the local authorities to be always vigilant. There must be also a mandated railway education to students and widespread media announcement regarding railway safety...

hahaha! the pictures are back! i thought something might have gone wrong or Typhoon Egay took the pics with him! :lol: Do we have pictures about whats already completed for the Northrail Project? 7% is it? Any links and pictures you guys might want to share would really be appreciated.

:D

^^ :lol: Mahirap kumuha ng pictures sa Northrail, may mga fence kasi. Pgpinilit natin, bka magi tayong paparazzi... he he he..:lol: .. On the Malolos Section, the best way to take a picture is to ride on a bus going South while moving up along Malolos Flyover. In this way, you could have a clear and unobstructed view...

hahaha! the pictures are back! i thought something might have gone wrong or Typhoon Egay took the pics with him! :lol: Do we have pictures about whats already completed for the Northrail Project? 7% is it? Any links and pictures you guys might want to share would really be appreciated.

:D

^^ It's so hard to find Chito into the internet. But you can try this one...www.ovp.gov.ph or www.pia.gov.ph. There you can find photos showing the Northrail and Southrail for a few...

^^ I think this line should not be use anymore. It quiet dangerous and the tracks already gone. Who knows, the those spikes underneath the water are gone. If the train derails the passengers cant escape immediately because of the muds surrounding th tracks...

http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/2007_02_09_Lake_Paco_Brad_Peadon.jpg

^^ I wonder what is the PNR plans on the unfinished Paco Station. Are they going to use it anymore or they will finished it and let someone hire it? It appears that the structures which is visible from the picture is so massive. Very well, let us know... I suspect that originally it was a mall since the Tutuban Mall went on click...I guess so...

One of the reasons why there is so much squatters / slums along the railroad tracks is because of what once was a TV show Home Along the Riles. People glorifies their idol movie stars and even emulate them. Pati yung mga sunog baga, ginagaya din... :ohno: :bash:

One of the reasons why there is so much squatters / slums along the railroad tracks is because of what once was a TV show Home Along the Riles. People glorifies their idol movie stars and even emulate them. Pati yung mga sunog baga, ginagaya din... :ohno: :bash:

^^ Ha ha ha..:lol: Oo nga na noh!

^^ Dyan nakikilala kung anong klase na media meron tayo. The sentiments are all for the slums. Even the news are very much negative. Weather report, parang minamadali lagi... Buti na lang may WWW.SKYSCRAPERCITY.COM. This is the true media where one's fantasy becomes a reality. Every ones sentiment is highly appreciated....:banana:

I think these sleds could go as fast as 40-50kph depending on load... ofcourse the small friction on the rail and wheel helps them achieve this...

Its concept was like the motorized pedicabs you see around Sta. Cruz and Quiapo, Manila... The engines they use are similar to the ones used on some outtrigger boats of the fishermen.

Wow, 40-50kph on a sled would be an exciting ride, especially over the bridge. One would be needing a Tanduay after that :) Its amazing how these guys come up with these great ideas, so very clever.
Any idea how they transfer the engine power to the wheels? The wheels on the people powered sleds are so small, I imagine they must be bigger.

Brad

Thanks Mate! You're right, back in the 1960s I think was the last time we acquired brand new Locos in the era of Dieselization... It's only now that a brand new one will arrive for almost 30 years... Its also a good opportunity to prove the consistency and quality of the Chinese made Loco's.

WoS

Are they using Chinese made diesel machine? Or Chinese made body but Japan made machine?

WoS,
Depends if you count the ICTSI loco which arrived in the later half of the 90s, but thats about it.
Your right about this be good proving time for the locos. If they keep breaking down then you would know not to grab them :)

While I can't answer with 100% certainty, I would imagine the Chinese would be using locomotive built in China. They have massive workshops and good locomotive technology.
You would likely already know, but they were still building the most modern steam locomotives in the world until a couple of years ago.
While their diesels are pungit, I believe they are quite good.

Brad

^^ Ha ha ha... Sled owners must bring together a small boat for crossing lakes....ha ha ha....:lol: :bash:

Or roads around Pateros at the moment.
The 24 hour Philippine news channel is showing Pateras at the moment.
Things are really bad :(
My friend is coming back today and he is trying to get from Santa Cruz to the airport amongst the floods.
Just hope all you guys stay safe.

Brad
Brad

hahaha! the pictures are back! i thought something might have gone wrong or Typhoon Egay took the pics with him! :lol: Do we have pictures about whats already completed for the Northrail Project? 7% is it? Any links and pictures you guys might want to share would really be appreciated.

:D

I have photos of the Caloocan site in Feb if that is of any use to you.
They really just show the cleared area and a shattered station.
Vast difference to my 1999 visit, I was really upset that I didn't take more shots of the area back then.

Brad

@ alcogoodwin...

Brad

Thanks mate for the infos. At least now we can expect that a brand new DMU will roll in 2010. Perhaps this could one of the most modern Chinese DMUs. And the best of all, the project is already on the roll!!!

WoS

^^ I wonder what is the PNR plans on the unfinished Paco Station. Are they going to use it anymore or they will finished it and let someone hire it? It appears that the structures which is visible from the picture is so massive. Very well, let us know... I suspect that originally it was a mall since the Tutuban Mall went on click...I guess so...

I would love to see it used as the front of a brand new Paco station. While all this is happening and while they are pushing for new trains/tracks/stations, I really hope they don't loose sight of their history.
There are many lovely old station buildings that should be fixed up and used.
I don't think this will be the outcome though.

Brad

I would love to see it used as the front of a brand new Paco station. While all this is happening and while they are pushing for new trains/tracks/stations, I really hope they don't loose sight of their history.
There are many lovely old station buildings that should be fixed up and used.
I don't think this will be the outcome though.

Brad

^^ I hope they could preserve it. I thinks Paco Station is the only Colonial Type station left. It can still be reconstructed to original shape...

One of the reasons why there is so much squatters / slums along the railroad tracks is because of what once was a TV show Home Along the Riles. People glorifies their idol movie stars and even emulate them. Pati yung mga sunog baga, ginagaya din... :ohno: :bash:


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :banana: :lol: :lol: :lol:

You know, you are probably spot on there hehehehehe
I see the way my wife obsesses over celebrities.
Hmmmm wish her parents were Dolphey fans, they may have built a house there to. Imagaine the photos I could have got then.

Brad

@ alcogoodwin...

Brad

Thanks mate for the infos. At least now we can expect that a brand new DMU will roll in 2010. Perhaps this could one of the most modern Chinese DMUs. And the best of all, the project is already on the roll!!!

WoS

I am pushing for a return in 2009, but the asawa wants to come back in 2010. Don't think I can wait that long so I may just come over with a friend.
While Northrail won't be running in 2009 I hope to be able to photograph the work trains if its possible to identify where they will be.
All being well trains should be up and running on the linkage project so I will look forward to covering that, as well as the usual Tayuman and Caloocan workshop visits.

Brad

^^ I hope they could preserve it. I thinks Paco Station is the only Colonial Type station left. It can still be reconstructed to original shape...

Their original intention was to preserve it and probably use it as the front of a shop. This has obviously gone nowhere.
I believe it is still their intention to preserve it somehow.
You are right, it could certainly be reconstructed in a modernised version of its original shape. This would certainly look a lot nicer than ground up new modern structures of today.

Brad

I am pushing for a return in 2009, but the asawa wants to come back in 2010. Don't think I can wait that long so I may just come over with a friend.
While Northrail won't be running in 2009 I hope to be able to photograph the work trains if its possible to identify where they will be.
All being well trains should be up and running on the linkage project so I will look forward to covering that, as well as the usual Tayuman and Caloocan workshop visits.

Brad

^^ I bet yow, you couldn't wait...he he he.:lol: ..2010 is a little bit so long especially there is already a lot happening here. In 2009, the Malolos Station would be probably in shape or there is a lot of track work already happening...ha ha ha:nuts: hmmm...In June 2008, probably the Link 1 is already done and its nice to see the Paco Station is rebuilted. What do you think, can't resist!!!:lol:

^^ Im very much possitive that Southrail will reach Legazpi on time even after PGMA steps down. It simply that our leaping economy will depend mostly on infrastructures. If they are serious in our economy then they must also be serious in infrastructures. Infrastructure is the foundation of the good economy. What happened in Bicol is that we lack in infrastructure tha'ts why the economy is so damn depressed...^^

:)

Festival Mall in Alabang.
Most maganda train driver I have ever seen :)

http://au.geocities.com/lubricated_flange/Festival_Mall_Steamer_Brad_Peadon.jpg

^^ wow! NICE! for kids like me...he he he:lol: I think its narrow gauge also...2ft?

Wow, 40-50kph on a sled would be an exciting ride, especially over the bridge. One would be needing a Tanduay after that :) Its amazing how these guys come up with these great ideas, so very clever.
Any idea how they transfer the engine power to the wheels? The wheels on the people powered sleds are so small, I imagine they must be bigger.

Brad

Well over that bridge the speed was like 5-10kph (they passed slowly and carefully)... but normally they only run at 20-30kph with passengers and goods... but I guess they could go 40-50kph as max (especially when they want to get back to the pick-up point to fetch more passengers:lol:)...

The concept is like in a motorcycle, but the engine is mounted at the rear part, and there is some kind of a pulley/clutch connected to the engine crankshaft, and then a belt is connected to another pulley below which is attached to the wheel shaft... I can't remember the diameter of the wheels (some were actually bearings improvised to serve as wheels)... I guess its around 50-100mm...

^^ For me, Lucena City is the biggest City in Southern Luzon. The need for infrastructure is a must and I hope railway system must come first.

Well, in reality it is not the biggest :)

But we need an efficient railway anyhow... I hope it really becomes operational in 2010!

the koreans are intersted in reviving the old Paco Station said one PNR officer..

http://file.uploadr.com/fd5b-embed

^^ I bet yow, you couldn't wait...he he he.:lol: ..2010 is a little bit so long especially there is already a lot happening here. In 2009, the Malolos Station would be probably in shape or there is a lot of track work already happening...ha ha ha:nuts: hmmm...In June 2008, probably the Link 1 is already done and its nice to see the Paco Station is rebuilted. What do you think, can't resist!!!:lol:

It was three years between our last two visits, five years between the trip before.
There is way to much happening to leave it to long this time, not the least being the PRHS plans.
I have never been to Malalos before so this would be top of my list.

I have a question about Northrail, possibly a stupid question. Will the line actually be following the old PNR formation all the way to Clark? I saw a map the other day that showed it going a different way and not via the junction that was originally used to get to Clark.
Any ideas?

On a seperate note, when I do get back it would be fantastic to be able to meet some of you guys and put a face to the names. Perhaps catch up for a train ride, or for lunch one day.

Brad

^^ wow! NICE! for kids like me...he he he:lol: I think its narrow gauge also...2ft?

:lol: Yeah I went for a ride.
A similar one operateds at SM Fairview.

Brad

The concept is like in a motorcycle, but the engine is mounted at the rear part, and there is some kind of a pulley/clutch connected to the engine crankshaft, and then a belt is connected to another pulley below which is attached to the wheel shaft... I can't remember the diameter of the wheels (some were actually bearings improvised to serve as wheels)... I guess its around 50-100mm...

Incredible stuff.
How ingenious is that. Have to buy one of those for preservation. We could have motorized sled rides up and down the Port line.

Brad

the koreans are intersted in reviving the old Paco Station said one PNR officer..



Nice shot Nathan. Its a magnificent looking building so I hope the PNR officer is correct.

Another shot.

902 is PNRs oldest operational diesel built in 1973 by General Electric.

http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/2007_02_09_902_Tayuman_Shunt_Brad_Peadon.jpg

Nice shot Nathan. Its a magnificent looking building so I hope the PNR officer is correct.

Another shot.

902 is PNRs oldest operational diesel built in 1973 by General Electric.

http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/2007_02_09_902_Tayuman_Shunt_Brad_Peadon.jpg

^^ WOWIE, Super Nice!!! I like this picture incase we redraw a certain station, at least I can draw a frontage of PNR GE5000. A nice view of the boggie..Thanks Sir Alcol...

Well over that bridge the speed was like 5-10kph (they passed slowly and carefully)... but normally they only run at 20-30kph with passengers and goods... but I guess they could go 40-50kph as max (especially when they want to get back to the pick-up point to fetch more passengers:lol:)...

The concept is like in a motorcycle, but the engine is mounted at the rear part, and there is some kind of a pulley/clutch connected to the engine crankshaft, and then a belt is connected to another pulley below which is attached to the wheel shaft... I can't remember the diameter of the wheels (some were actually bearings improvised to serve as wheels)... I guess its around 50-100mm...

^^ I can still remember when Naga City bridge went down, all of the passengers of all buses must cross the Bicol River through the PNR Bridge. My goodness, I couldn't walk through the bridge. Its so high and Im very much affraid at heights...ha ha ha.... So I just ride on the sled and everything was turned ok..he he he..Thanks Mr. Sled....

the koreans are intersted in reviving the old Paco Station said one PNR officer..

http://file.uploadr.com/fd5b-embed


^^ Wow!! Ganda ng landscape.. If everything will turn as it was planned, the Paco Station will become a tourist spot. Colonial View outside but modern inside....

Well, in reality it is not the biggest :)

But we need an efficient railway anyhow... I hope it really becomes operational in 2010!

^^ Actually, Ive never seen a city south of manila that has so many buildings other than Lucena.. But anyway this Southraill when done, would greatly help the thousands of commuters plying this route...2009 is the completion date....

It was three years between our last two visits, five years between the trip before.
There is way to much happening to leave it to long this time, not the least being the PRHS plans.
I have never been to Malalos before so this would be top of my list.

I have a question about Northrail, possibly a stupid question. Will the line actually be following the old PNR formation all the way to Clark? I saw a map the other day that showed it going a different way and not via the junction that was originally used to get to Clark.
Any ideas?

On a seperate note, when I do get back it would be fantastic to be able to meet some of you guys and put a face to the names. Perhaps catch up for a train ride, or for lunch one day.

Brad

Hi Brad...

^^ Yes..someday we will be meeting with each other and the whole of SSC fans...

Hmm... Im also being intrigue by that issue of line separation going to Clark. A couple of days ago made me wonder why are they still looking for ROW when infact its already 30m. Try using Google Earth and you get the exact measurement. It pondered me a question that they are probably correcting the curves to get higher speeds...Would it be like that?

@alcogoodwin...

^^ If you could send me the map Brad, i can help you analyze and compare it to the old ROW....

WoS

^^ Possible PNR routes to be rehabilitated.

1. Caloocan to San Fernando, La Union
2. Tarlac to San Jose
3. Caloocan to Legazpi
4. Calamba to Batangas
5. Calamba to Sta. Cruz

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/12/Philippine_National_Railways.png

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3880/dsc00265bp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

any info about mindanao railway project??? i do hope abu sayyafs and mnlf groups don't bomb the trains.. by the way, y do muslims go suicide? they like people to die or they simply dont like to live anymore, so they just blow up themselves.kabooommm

^ as long as we involve them in this project then it should be good. this railway shouldnt just benefit christian and lumad towns but they should make it a point to cover ARMM as well. now they'd be bombing their own people if they do cos moros be mobile and scattered thanks to a futue railway.

any info about mindanao railway project??? i do hope abu sayyafs and mnlf groups don't bomb the trains.. by the way, y do muslims go suicide? they like people to die or they simply dont like to live anymore, so they just blow up themselves.kabooommm

Nathan,

Are you from Isabela? Meron ng plano ang PNR to extend it Northrail to Tuguegarao from Tarlac or Balagtas, Bulacan. Approved na rin ito sa Congress at may na reasearch ako sa internet about the Cagayan Valley Railway Extension Project... Try this http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr22/F38_Satre.html. It is better viewed with PDF..

WoS

^^ My analysis is that, although some of the PNR lines that are already approved may not be finished before Pres GMA steps down, at least these lines are to be initiated and the construction will still commence during Pres. Term. These lines are:

1. NorthRail Phase 2 (Clark-Subic) (partly tunneled, partly elevated and partly at grade)
2. NorthRail Phase 3 (Caloocan-Fort Bonifacio) (not sure if it is a subway or elevated express railroad)
3. NorthRail Phase 4 (Clark to San Fernando, La Union)
4. SouthRail Phase 1B (Lucena to Legazpi)
5. SouthRail Phase 2 (Cotmon to Matnog)

After the Term of President...

1. NorthRail Extension to Loag
2. Cagayan Valley Railway Project - Starts from Caloocan, will share ROW with NorthRail to Balagtas then towards Cabanatuan, San Jose and Tuguerao.
3. Calamba - Batangas
5. Calamba - Sta. Cruz

These Lines are sureballs!!!
1. NorthRail Phase 1 Section 1 (Caloocan to Malolos)
2. NorthRail Phase 1 Section 2 (Malolos to Clark)
3. Linkage Phase 1 (Caloocan to Alabang)
4. Linkage Phase 2 (Alabang to Calamba)
5. SouthRail Phase 1A (Calamba to Lucena)

sorry for this nuisance.. anyone interested for expanding the websites having this thread?:) why not go to this page..
http://www.flickr.com/groups/25936226@N00/discuss/72157601515458494/
i think many of you are aware of flickr.. this group is all about pnr, but sadly we only have 14 members..:(
i just thought of "recruiting":lol: new members that are really interested.. you can sign up by just using your yahoo id...
hope you guys will join...:)

sorry for this nuisance.. anyone interested for expanding the websites having this thread?:) why not go to this page..
http://www.flickr.com/groups/25936226@N00/discuss/72157601515458494/
i think many of you are aware of flickr.. this group is all about pnr, but sadly we only have 14 members..:(
i just thought of "recruiting":lol: new members that are really interested.. you can sign up by just using your yahoo id...
hope you guys will join...:)


^^ IM IN!!!:banana:

^^ The government have said that they will increase their infrastracture spending from 2.5% to 5% of our GDP. That's a very good news lamenting the fact that projects that are currently implemented are expected to be doubled by next year. One very exciting is that railways are one of the top priority of this adminstration, can be assured of funding since the bulk of the infrastructure funds will go to the railway projects. Railway projects especially the Northrail Southrail Total Rehabilitation will be in no question that it will be done on time. :okay:

I'm glad that this thread is moving quite fast. I hope that the situation in the PNR would be the same. :cheers: if you still have some resources such as the PDF file posted by @wheel of steel, please don't hesitate to post it here. Thanks. :)

^^ PNR Then......

http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/moto888/pnr0022.jpg


PNR Now!!!

http://www.unlawyer.net/photos/ipap-photos/pasay_road_train_tracks.jpg

^^ Kulang pa nga e2 pictures...Biruin nyo guys, hindi pa nagsstart ang project na to pinaguusapan na... Since 2004 pa ata.... Bonga Tlaga!!!!:banana: What more if nasa construction pace na.... he he he!!!!:cheers:

I don't get it. So it looks the same now as in that old picture?

I don't get it. So it looks the same now as in that old picture?

^^ Sori! hindi nagopen ung isang picture....

^^ From PNR Website (www.pnr.gov.ph)

SOUTHRAIL PROJECT

SCOPE/DESCRIPTION
The project will be implemented in two phases, as follows:

Phase I : Rehabilitation and reconstruction of the existing railway line from Calamba to Legazpi City (423 kilometers)

Phase II : Construction of a new railway extension line from Comun, Camalig, Albay to Matnog, Sorsogon (135 kilometers)

The Project also includes the provision of signal and communication systems and the acquisition of rolling stock.

OBJECTIVES/BENEFITS
The rehabilitated line will allow train speeds of up to 120 kph in some sections.
As such, PNR will be able to operate much faster (and therefore competitive), safer, more punctual, and therefore more economical passenger train services to the Bicol region.

The above, therefore, will spur the economic and social development, boost tourism, and improve the peace and order situation in the Bicol Region.

Extending the line to Sorsogon will not only benefit the people of Sorsogon but will provide opportunities for a continuous travel from Manila to the Visayas and Mindanao, through the interconnection with the Ro-Ro system between Matnog and Allen, Samar and down to Mindanao.

RIDERSHIP PROJECTIONS

Under this project, first year of operations will commence two years after the start of the project. This will be along the Manila-Lucena corridor. Train services will reach Legazpi after another two years, and will extend to Sorsogon after another two years, and will extend to Sorsogon after another two years, or six years after the start of the project.The above, therefore, will spur the economic and social development, boost tourism, and improve the peace and order situation in the Bicol Region.

Ridership is projected at 34,220 daily or 12.319 million annually for the first year of operation, increasing to 89,076 daily or 32.067 million when the service reaches Legazpi, and to 109,659 daily or 39.477 million annually when the service is extended to Sorsogon. Ridership increases gradually thereafter.
Current daily ridership is about 1,000 passengers.

In addition, 3,779 tons of freight cargo will be transported daily increasing to 6,391 tons daily after two years, and to 7,643 tons when the service reaches Sorsogon.

COSTS AND FINANCING

Total project cost is estimated at US$932.037 million, broken down as follows:

Phase I : US$627.811 million
Phase II : US$304.226 million

Per utilization, the project cost is broken down as follows:

Development cost, including Right - of - Way clearance and relocation - US$37.476 million (4.02%)

Construction works - US$736.249 million (79.00%)

Acquisition of rolling stock - US$121.500 million (13.04%)

Contingency - US$ 36.812 million (3.94%)

95% of the project cost (US$885.435 million) is proposed to be funded by a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. 5% (US$46.602 million) will be the local counterpart fund, to be funded thru a bond flotation by the National Development Company based on AGRI-AGRA qualification.

^^ Namimis ko yung isa dyan ah!!! Nakaonline naman pero d nagpopost d2....:lol:

^^ Namimis ko yung isa dyan ah!!! Nakaonline naman pero d nagpopost d2....:lol:

Maybe it's reached the bandwidth limit. Upload it to another host like Tinypic.com or ImageShack.

The rehabilitated line will allow train speeds of up to 120 kph in some sections.

Is this right? How fast does it need to be to be considered "high speed"?

Argh, I want to see this project finished already!