Philippines heavy and light rail

Assorted views around Manila.
Ken Strachan

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<h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>Tutuban terminus stands on the spur of a Y-junction, with services out to Laguna one way, and through the city the other. It has two 'gate guardians' - one saddle tank and one side tank. 1/17</p><p>23/05/2008<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>A Hitachi-built BoBo diesel has just arrived at Manila's Tutuban terminus with a passenger train. The single cab engine will reverse smartly out of the platform to shunt around the stock, ready for the next duty. Notice the signalling tower and shed in the left background, and the pitched roof on the carriage to the right - to stop passengers getting free rides atop the coach. The locomotive is built to the same layout as a class 20, but strangely, sounds just like a 31. See image <a href='/img/35/968/index.html'>35968</a> 2/17</p><p>23/05/2008<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>Looking into (and on the right, through) Tutuban station, Manila, in May 2008 see image <a href='/img/35/968/index.html'>35968</a>. 3/17</p><p>23/05/2008<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>A passenger train from Tutuban station see image <a href='/img/36/658/index.html'>36658</a> calls at Pedro Gil station on 23rd May 2008. Notice the absence of platforms or buildings: a Filipina told me they had been systematically dismantled and stolen to build private homes. New stations have since been built on this line, to a more thiefproof design. As for that CONNEX sign on the coach... different from ours, I think. 4/17</p><p>23/05/2008<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/M/Manila_LRT'>Manila LRT</a></small></p><p>A 'Slim Jim' leaves Manila's EDSA station on LRT Line 2, surrounded by competing modes of transport (coach, Jeepneys, motorcycle taxis, bicycle taxis, a minicab, and even an aeroplane). Notice the Lego-style building in the left background. 5/17</p><p>11/01/2012<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/M/Manila_LRT'>Manila LRT</a></small></p><p>Quality and width: the wider of two new classes of tram on Manila's LRT Line 2 measures up at 10 feet 3 inches across. They are very roomy - and much more comfortable than their chief competitor, the Jeepneys seen below. At about 2p a stop, they're pretty good value, too. Photograph taken at Santolan station, which is currently a terminus. 6/17</p><p>11/01/2012<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/M/Manila_LRT'>Manila LRT</a></small></p><p>This is what all that width gives you see image <a href='/img/37/875/index.html'>37875</a>: room for three rows of strap hangers inside. This was taken during a slack period one day in January 2012. Between 3 and 6 in the afternoon, you can't see from one side of the carriage to the other. A Filipina told me <I>'...we like the LRT, because an hour's journey by Jeepney only takes two minutes by train'</I>. 7/17</p><p>11/01/2012<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/M/Manila_LRT'>Manila LRT</a></small></p><p>'Do you need that unit, Gloria?': 'You're kidding, Mary Jane! It's old stock, I've seen the whole class!' Filipina tram spotters compare notes at United Nations halt on LRT line 1 in January 2012. These trams were built in the Czech Republic, and are now undergoing their second refurbishment - the bogies, and rusty panels around the windscreens, being due for attention. 8/17</p><p>12/01/2012<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>Market day at Taguig, right next to the PNR main line to Alabang see image <a href='/img/40/401/index.html'>40401</a>. Notice the market stalls built onto motorbike sidecars; the practical addition of umbrellas; and the skate (in the distance) on the right hand track. Skates are home-built powered wagons, privately owned and operated. They provide a useful service to the public, but contribute nothing to PNR; and can be rather dangerous, as they have no formal collaboration with the PNR working timetable. Understandably, they are not easy to photograph; especially up close. 9/17</p><p>28/08/2012<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>A 2009-built Hyundai Rotem DMU arrives at Alabang, which is the outer limit of commuter services from the Tutuban terminus. There is a wealth of detail in this picture - notice the informal platform seating, the motorcycle and sidecar taxis, the vividly painted building on the left; and last but not least, the array of domestic electricity meters conveniently grouped together for reading purposes, atop the wooden pole on the right. The mesh cover on the windscreen is interesting: knowing the locals as I do, I consider it more likely to protect against accidents than against vandalism. 10/17</p><p>01/09/2012<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>When I first visited the Tutuban terminus of PNR see image <a href='/img/36/982/index.html'>36982</a>, the station interior was cool and clean, but rather empty. When I heard a rumour that all passenger services had been withdrawn from this station, I was sad, but not surprised. But the rumour was false; and among many other positive developments, the Filipinos have found their history. This restored railcar has just four seats, and appears to be a petrol-engined maintenance vehicle. The relaxed passengers visible on the right probably arrived on an overnight train; but they could be waiting for the next one! 11/17</p><p>01/09/2012<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>Scene at Alabang, the outer limit of daytime commuter trains from Tutuban terminus. If you can't afford 30p for the 28km ride to Tutuban on a Hyundai DMU see image <a href='/img/40/307/index.html'>40307</a> it's best to wait for one of these second hand Japanese DMU's to turn up. They may substitute whirling ceiling fans for the full air conditioning of the Hyundais, but the fare is a more reasonable 25p. Please don't ask what the fishing nets are doing on the left. It's a Philippines thing. 12/17</p><p>01/09/2012<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>Be honest: when did you last see a pilgrimage train advertised in the UK? I was tempted by this track bashing opportunity; but the thought of getting up at 3am, and not getting back to bed until probably 10 the following morning, rather put me off. But full marks to PNR for tapping into the pilgrim market - and utilizing track not normally used by passenger trains in daylight hours. 13/17</p><p>01/09/2012<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/M/Manila_LRT'>Manila LRT</a></small></p><p>Silly place to put a lamppost. Grab shot showing a Manila LRT tram heading from Kamoning to Cubao on LRT Line 3 in January 2014. see image <a href='/img/46/152/index.html'>46152</a> 14/17</p><p>16/01/2014<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/M/Manila'>Manila</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/P/Philippines_National_Railways'>Philippines National Railways</a></small></p><p>There's a train in there somewhere - comprising a relatively low-roofed single cab GE locomotive and flat-roofed coaches. Loco' haulage see image <a href='/img/36/658/index.html'>36658</a> has been replaced by DMUs on suburban services, so this must be a long distance service coming into the city. Grab shot from a Jeepney. 15/17</p><p>05/04/2016<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/S/Santolan_Manila'>Santolan [Manila]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/M/Manila_Light_Rail_Transit_System_Line_1'>Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1</a></small></p><p>It doesn't worry me at all that the Office for Transportation Security exhorts people not to carry pots of paint or car batteries on the Light Rail System. The references to guns and hand grenades are more disturbing. Poster seen at Santolan station. 16/17</p><p>29/12/2018<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p> <h4><a href='/locations/S/Santolan_Manila'>Santolan [Manila]</a></h4><p><small><a href='/companies/M/Manila_Light_Rail_Transit_System_Line_1'>Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1</a></small></p><p>A frightfully polite notice at Santolan on LRT Line 2. Notice the maintenance walkway in the background, added since my last visit see image <a href='/img/37/875/index.html'>37875</a>. 17/17</p><p>29/12/2018<br><small><a href='/contributors/Ken_Strachan'>Ken Strachan</a></small></p>
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