Philippine National Railways.

Almost all squatters between the Tutuban and the Alabang stations

were relocated. New train stations are build along the railway tracks

and a new train track is being build. This is the only positive news

I can report now. Hopefully those "new" trains will indeed arrive and

be operational in 2009. 

Comments

[Phototherapy]

I like railways, too!!!
I just bookmarked you at photoblogs, count on you to do the same :)
SwissCharles

[oggi]

Regardless of the disrepair and very small space, the train driver still has a nice smile on his face.
What will happen to the old trains once the Chinese ones arrive?

[Shobe (from vanny's blog)]

kawawa c kuya. so sleepy that he cant wear his sunglasses the ryt way.

[Ashish Sidapara]

Wow, looks like those trains has seen a lot, beautiful images!

[JJ]

Wonderful captures showing the decay, particularly the last three, lets hope they keep on schedule and new trains are in by 2009

[henri]

Beau reportage. J'aurais quand même peur de monter dans ses trains ;-)

[Cléa]

When you show people using them, it takes on a different perspective. Even more surprising that they actually run.

[SD]

I love the three shots on the bottom. My first thought was does that train even work? Amazing capture of the decay and I like how those shots of just the control room tell the story of the whole system.

[Michael Rawluk]

I think that locomotive needs a little work.

[Lurch]

Lovely shot's Sidney, the driver never has a lot of room, poor chap:)

[luna miranda]

we can only dream of bullet trains criss-crossing the Luzon landscape. let's hope the trains in 2009 are not "surplus" trains from china.

[dong ho]

if the new train will arrive by 2009, then i should try riding this now or else i miss the experience of riding the old trains.

[Lauren Perez]

Nice photos. The only trains I ride in are the MRTs and LRTs.

[carla]

this is one amazing series, sidney. despite the anomalies and what-have-you regarding the railway projects (and despite the sad-looking trains), i'm still positive that they will come into full completion. i just hope that finishing the north and south rails would not take too long tho.

[pajamaw]

That driver's room is amazing.
A very sad reality though.... hope 2009 will bring better things, but...

[jms]

Les pauvres qui habitaient le long des voies ferrées sont les victimes du progrès, "les dindons de la farce". On profite de l'occasion pour les éloigner un peu plus loin du centre ville.

[Ces]

I remember taking the PNR train from Manila to Los Banos, Laguna in 1973 to attend the First Asia Pacific Jamboree for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides. There were thousands of Girl and Boy Scouts waiting for the trains. What would normally have taken a couple of hours by bus took more than eight hours by train. The railway system was the most inefficient and retarded means of transportation. It was awful but since we were scouts and meeting new friends the dilapidated conditions did not seem to bother us.. These photographs are no better. One would think that after several decades there would be modernization, in this case it seems to be deterioration. Great coverage Sidney.

[dennis villegas]

Great reporting Sidney! Very colorful pictures as always!

[Liang]

It sure does earn the right to become history, given I think the amount of years they have operated this train on the tracks. Great shots! =D

[Photo Cache]

Lets hope for the best. I hope the govt can find the money to keep new trains operational. Another way to ease the traffic.

[pieterbie]

That machinery looks pretty impressive. Shame it is in such bad shape.

[AC]

Wow. This train seems have been around a while and seen a lot! Is it still running??

[Laetirature]

Charmant conducteur de trains :)

[Gérard Méry]

A des années lumière du TGV !

[Share]

I'm actually concerned over the safety of the train passengers. I certainly hope the train is in full working order! ;)