Please check out the above link of my friend Chito.
I am sure you will enjoy as much as I did reading about his "run" on a long-absent favorite.
++++
As for my thoughts...
Simply put, I *heart* iron horses.
I wasn't born when trains were still around in my hometown of Cebu.
But my parents sometimes get that nostalgic glow in their eyes and describe to me how there used to be a train bringing people as far as Carcar up south or was it Danao up north?
Now all I can see are lingering traces of the presence of pre-WWII iron horses in the crumbling columns supporting train tracks over a valley in the quaint town of San Fernando in the south.
But I've sort of made up for it.
My train-loving deprived soul takes in a little bit of sunshine every time I ride an MRT train in Manila (even if I feel like a squashed Portuguese sardine with my flattened butt resting against somebody else's bony hip... and the train really is only for short distances).
train nearing MRT Ayala Station
I inevitably get this warm, fuzzy feeling in my chest when I also board trains in Japan - I know its going to bring me to a hitherto unknown destination wherein a new adventure awaits - and where I am sure good things will happen.
And since you can practically set your clocks against the punctuality of Japan trains, it makes it really easy to travel that country even if you do not speak an iota of Japanese.
a shinkansen speeding by in Japan
Still though, I was keeping alive that flame in my heart... that someday I'd see something like those shinkansens in my own country - and used by those who eschew flying.
There's something ultimately romantic and thrilling (with some insistent prodding from my overactive imagination) about a train ala The Orient Express or even a simple unadorned iron horse stoically bringing people of all shapes, sizes and types into an interconnected line of train stations where their goal may be located - plus you also get to see varying slices of life when you gaze out of the window into the passing countryside.
PNR (Philippine National Railways) Logo
Ferrocarril Manila-Dagupan ca 1885
When the "Bicol Express" was said to be coming back I was inwardly doing cartwheels. (I get a kick of saying Bicol Express because one of my favorite spicy stews is also named the same). I impatiently brushed aside thoughts on the problems sure to plague those determined folks to make it work. I just focused on the utter joy and anticipation when I too could one day add the experience of riding a long-distance iron horse in the Philippines.
For now, I shall live vicariously through Chito's experience...but I am pretty sure I will be riding the Bicol Express before the year is out :-)
Train Fares:
ReplyDeleteThe Sleeper Berth cost Php 950
The Reclining Seats cost Php 548
***PNR is currently running a 20% promo on the fares up to July 14, 2011*
For more information and seat reservation please call PNR Operations:
Tel: 319-0041 local 122
Let's go!
here is also another article..this time from Ferdz...who was one of the organizers of our Batanes trip
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ironwulf.net/2011/06/30/in-transit-manila-to-naga-via-the-revived-pnr-bicol-express/
as i had expected, there would have been & indeed there was a delay...4 hours in fact...the rail at a certain point in Sorsogon, the soil was lose bec. of the incessant rains. the PNR rep said there was a recommendation to put up a bridge at that location!!!
ReplyDeleteOur mass transport system is definitely wanting...It would be of great service to all if that railway service...NAIA-Clark would be started....puro pa pogi gov't...putting up hopes of the public, knowing that it may never materialize in THEIR lifetime.
too true about the infra here...
ReplyDeleteam so envious of those countries where from airport itself there is already a train terminal to take passengers to other points in the city
in fact, I'd like to see the day, malapit din sa ports may train system...hayz...where do all my taxes go? huhuhu
The Divisoria Tutuban station used to have one of my dad's bigger paintings and it was of a train running through the countryside. I wonder what has happened to that.
ReplyDeleteSir B may photos or sketches po kayong of your dad's works? Baka pwedeng matrace pa if people only know yun pala nasa pag aari nila?
ReplyDeletePumunta kami sa tutuban statiion ni Che at parang if may painting man if ever e hinakot na...
Hi Cat. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Don't know how I can thank you enough for this.
ReplyDeleteHi Hugz. Do you have a photo of your Dad's painting? I'll see what I can find out about it.
ReplyDeleteaww....shucks....
ReplyDeleteyou can thank me by organizing a Kayus na outing papunta Naga or Legaspi tapos dito sasakay sa Bicol Express...wouldn't that be fun?
parang naka-moving na Kayus party :-)
10 hours (baka walang delay) will pass by pretty quickly in such happy company ...hehehe
may connections ka Chito sa old Tutuban station?
ReplyDeleteeto talaga ang maganda sana if napa-document ang mga works of art ng artists...*sigh*
I hate to think of a good painting rotting away in somebody's garage :-(
no matter how you may dislike FB...may trace na don sa iyong virtual world DNA Tochie...hehehe..kc pinost ko rin don e yung link mo..
ReplyDeletebtw, I read that the PNR last deployed a trip to the Bicol province in November 2006.
ReplyDeleteRidership then was pegged at 100,000 annually.
The so-called Bicol Express, which started in 1938, was halted in the 1970s because of devastating weather. It was rehabilitated in 1985, only to experience deteriorations in the coming years. It ceased operations in 2006 due to typhoon damage.
And what do you know..I sort of get my wish of seeing Japan's trains here in the Philippines *grin*
It seems that some of the trains are donated interprovincial trains from Japan Rail East! {The PNR has earmarked P1.8 billion for the rehabilitation of the railway, on top of P250 million for the acquisition of the new trains. These include 83 air-conditioned sleeper and commuter coaches donated by Japan, which are due to arrive within the year.}
And so its not just us, but the PNR hopes to revive the dormant train route and give commuters an alternative means of transportation to Southern Luzon, especially with the rising cost of fuel.
Hi drphilipdc, thanks for the feedback. I don't know about that NAIA-Clark but the new PNR head seems to be serious and sincere about reviving and improving the Bicol line. As a matter of fact, even if support for his efforts from his superior in the Dept. of Transport and Communications (DOTC) is wanting , and the meager budgetary/funding support from the national government, he has persisted. And by sheer determination, has successfully done an "inaugural" run to Naga City.
ReplyDeleteHi Cat. For the record, I don't dislike FB. It's just that I'm more comfortable here. Re your post at FB, again I thank you. And since FB has a wider reach it can only be good for the re-popularization of railroad trip.
ReplyDeleteFrom a PNR old-timer, I learned that the Bicol Express was stopped in September 26, 2006 to be exact after Typhoon Milenyo destroyed the San Cristobal rail bridge in Calamba, Laguna.
ReplyDeletethats good to know (that mas comfortable ka dito sa MP)...I do apologize that I put it that way - you disliking FB :-)
ReplyDeleteI was really happy to find in FB other people I know also posting about their experience (kaya though di na ako nagsabi kay Ferdz, I also checked out his photos then later his blog).
Eto, I reminded Che dapat this year we would be able to ride this :-)
Probably after the rains have let up...I heard medyo some loose soil would make the tracks unsafe..I wish they could fix that with a bridge or something soon...
We'll see. One of these days, baka puede natin gawin ito.
ReplyDeleteYou'r making me blush. You don't have to apologize (ikaw pa).
ReplyDeleteYes, according to a resident in the area, bata pa siya ganun na ang problema dun. I heard that the engineering solution is to put up a viaduct (elevated) but such structure will not be a minor work. As a matter of fact, it's going to be 8 kms long. Malaking pera kailangan para dun.
ReplyDeleteo sya, bawi ko na para di ka mamumula....LOL!
ReplyDeleteoh dear...mali ang newspaper article pala nabasa ko...or maybe ..well sabi naman nya e PNR..di Bicol Express...hehehe
ReplyDeletegood idea! sana nandon pa....it would be nice for Sir B to locate and see more of his dad's works.
ReplyDeleteThat Rail Museum you mentioned also made me recall when I visited a similar museum in San Francisco the first time I walked around...I had a jolly time in that unexpected find..
I am sure Che will also help (haha..vinolunteer ko) and of course, ako rin..moral support :-)
ReplyDeleteAn alternative explanation could be that the trips continued but only up to Calamba until November.
ReplyDeleteAccording to your friend Ferdz, the train had an "unwanted" stop in the town of Sipocot. That's the hometown of Che!
ReplyDeleteyep..she texted nga kanina yun nga daw problem with her town :-)
ReplyDeleteokies...
ReplyDeletena "Like" na sa FB and may invite pa sila to coffee....hehehe
From FB page nila -
We would like to invite our friends and supporters for a casual chat over good coffee. Please join us on our third Kapihan happening next Saturday, July 9th. Drop us a message at contact.rihspi.org to indicate your attendance.
Reese Kapihan Membership Orientation
Location: To be announced to confirmed participants only
Time: 4:00PM Saturday, July 9th
That place called Malaguico is also called "moving mountain" because the soil-shift in that area has not stopped since I can't even remember when.
ReplyDeleteam imagining yung sabi mo viaduct...coz whats in my mind is something like an aqueduct..haha...
ReplyDeletebut I think somehow, esp with the determination as you say of the GM handling it, they can find a way or the funds for it so that it won't be that bad of a problem during rainy season...
ah wait...are you saying the soil shifts even if its not rainy season?
btw..time di ba September yung feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia? hmmm....
Could be something like this:
ReplyDeleteYes. It's a perennial condition.
ReplyDeleteKorek ka diyan ma'am!
ReplyDeleteehem..ehem..ehem...*hint, hint*
ReplyDeletenakupow...so ang problem lang is ang earthquake if ever they make the bridge/viaduct...
ReplyDeletelooks nice..bridge nga simply put :-)
ReplyDeletebaka nga mas ok ganito so that even if mag-rains or floods, go pa rin...
Actually, there's nothing I'd love more than to be with you guys for the Bicol fiesta of fiestas this year specially since the Bicol Express is now back. But I don't think I can be with you for that special occasion. There are other times though when I can join you.
ReplyDeleteaha..may trip ka ba on those weeks?
ReplyDeleteI reposted your link to the Asean Travel Group (which I hardly visit din pala..ehehehe...).
No need to thank me..just want to make sure word gets spread...
http://oneasean.multiply.com/links/item/231/Philippines_The_Bicol_Express_Train_Nostalgia_Run_Post_of_Chito
Yes, getting the word out is really the objective. And inspite of your modesty, I thank you just the same.
ReplyDeleteUmmm...something like that. And there are only a few things that could make me forego the Penafrancia fiesta.
ReplyDeletehmm..parang may inkling ako..if my memory is not spotty :-)
ReplyDeletepasalubong ha! and don't eat your pasalubong for me from that place...lol
you are most welcome...hayz..if only walang work, gusto ko na ma-try ora mismo :-)
ReplyDeleteYou have a fine memory,Cat.
ReplyDeleteHahaha...copy that ma'am.
ReplyDeletewith interest yon ha...due to the pili which went missing in action...lol..
ReplyDeletethanks!
Kudo's to the revival of the Bicol Express, it will not only be good for tourism but the service it will provide as an alternative commute to the southern parts. I remember in the early '70's in HS, there was a train ride to Dagupan. .My only issue is why the Gov't(past & present) neglects mass transport for other areas( The LRT & MRT in the Metro not an issue). Take for instance the commute for residents of Sta.Rosa & Alabang working in Makati. The volume speaks for itself. The rising cost of fuel & toll fees, add to that the expense of parking in Makati, definitely takes a big chunk of their earnings. If they could build an MRT from Alabang to Makati, tremendous savings & improvement to lessen carbon emissions.
ReplyDeleteMVP i think is interested in developing the Manila-Clark link.
check this out.:
http://tropicalpenpals.com/blog/things-related-directly-about-the-philippines/points-of-interest/history-points-of-interest-things-related-directly-about-the-philippines/the-railways-
Doc Philip, di naman ganito ang train (yung last picture I placed in above?) hehehe...kc para Dagupan daw yan..
ReplyDeleteas it is nowadays, I am forced to find lodgings near here where I work (its always the case with me wherever I may be) because I hate traffic and wasting time on the road...ang ganda siguro if may fast and reliable train systems connecting to other modes of transport which would make it convenient for people to live in further places..
ReplyDeletebefore naawa ako sa mga officemates ko who were like living in Laguna and who still go home after work in Makati...to the point e how many hours of sleep and rest they get na...
thanks for sharing...I learned a little bit more about trains here in Luzon (and actually had a p.s. read on a Bogo-Medellin railway.hehe)
ReplyDeletei think it was more of a square engine car.
ReplyDeletehindi pa ako buhay noong period picture mo.
bwahaha!
ReplyDeletesorry po...baka lang kc buhay pa ang train by the time umabot sa inyo po :-)