PNR Inaugural Bicol Express Train passing through the eroded embankment at Sipocot

The Philippine National Railways had recently launched the comeback of the Bicol Express train last June 29, 2011. It departed from Tutuban at 6:15pm on June 29 2011 and it was supposed to arrive in Naga, Camarines Sur at 4:15am the next day. However, during the night before the inaugural run, a heavy rain poured at Sipocot, Camarines Sur and it weakened the embankment. It caused the rails to bend and made it misaligned. This made the train very delayed. Track workers from the surrounding area rushed immediately to temporarily restore the washed out embankment so that the train could continue its journey to Naga. The Bicol Commuter train came as a rescue train and passengers from the Bicol Express Train transferred to it so they may arrive at Naga early. After 5 hours, the embankment was reinforced but it was not enough. So they carefully let the train pass with extra precaution. The train passed safely and continued its trip to Naga. When the train arrived at Naga, a works train was sent to repair the washed out area for the return trip. And the return trip passed safely as well. GMA and ABS-CBN reporters were also present in the inaugural trip.

Taken June 30, 2011. Paul Nicholas Cabalhin || RIHSPI 2011

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• PNR
• sleeper coaches
• train
• philippine railways
• 918
• GE U15C
• bicol train
• bicol express
• philippine national railways

[nil1230]

hey ask lng sa mg afriends dyan na nakaalam, kelan opening ng Naga-Legazpi route ? inaayos pa b nila ? baka manila-naga nlng un routa.

[nicocabalhin]

@nil1230 , If I remember it correctly, they are planning to resume manila-legazpi in November this year.

[nicocabalhin]

@nil1230 IIRC, November was the tentative date. But let's just wait for the official annoouncement.

[ttcgeek]

How often during the week does the Bicol Express depart from Manila and Bicol?

[nicocabalhin]

@ttcgeek actually, it leaves every other day in Tutuban and Naga. But as of this month, the Bicol Express is canceled to give way for the repairs of the destroyed sections of the tracks caused by the tropical storm juaning.

[00009339]

normal na ito tuwing tag ulan pero sana hanapan ng sulosyun ng kinauukulan ang problema para lalong gumanda ang serbisyo ng PNR sayang ng mga bagong coaches kung pangit ang mga relis.

[nicocabalhin]

@00009339 actually, they are doing their best to fix the rails. but the problem is the funds. 

[FilipinoZeroFighter]

kasama ung mga skate sa consist ng tren? hehehehe. =)

[cogiebaby]

@ttcgeek : Effective September 5, BEx services are now daily. Train leaves in Tutuban and Naga at 6:30pm.

[cogiebaby]

@SantiLardi : Did the coach had the video on board? I think what you rode was not the prototype NR-01 coach but the refurbished CAR-02 coach (which has freezing AC and non-functional toilets).

[DitzLA1]

Sakaling matuloy ang project na ito sana naman higpitan nila ang mga squatters sa may tabing riles or linisin dahil kung hindi tiyak na nanakawin ang mga bakal para ibenta. AT sana huwag payagan ang mga bata or matanda na pakalat-kalat para magbenta ng sigarilyo sa loob ng train or sa labas ng station dapat maging mahigpit sila sa bagay na yan para naman mapanatiling malinis at magandang tingnan.

[SantiLardi]

We rode the train last week of July , it only runs every other day for now. It's not what they said it was , the reclining seat cars were the old cars they just added new covers, toilets was terrible. It was freezing, and I mean freesing ! bring jackets and hats. We stopped about 2 hours from Naga because of Typhoon Juaning. I give praise to the staff took good care of us , but there is lots to do to make it Tourist Friendly , they need to clear the squatters along the rails in Manila first

[MrFilipinopride08]

magiging concrete bridge na ito dahil sinuspend muna ng PNR ang bicol express dahil kay Bagyong Juaning.....