All Aboard the Bicol Specific – Journey Up

July 22, 2024

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NOTE: Manila-Bicol journeys are at the moment suspended because of ongoing repairs. For updates on operations, go to the PNR Web site.

“I’m on the highest bunk of a sleeper coach aboard the Bicol Specific making its approach from Naga to Manila. There’s one thing very nostalgic in regards to the rocking movement of the prepare chugging alongside noisily on the tracks. I discover the rhythmic vibrations of the prepare’s engine, sounds of metallic clanging on metallic, and echoes of ‘choo-choo’ of the prepare’s horn oddly comforting.” – excerpt from journey journal written on prepare 11/3/11 earlier than lights have been switched off

My sister and I have been little youngsters the final time we rode the Bicol Specific of the Philippine Nationwide Railways (PNR) with our dad and mom. My mom says I first traveled by prepare once I was two months outdated. She managed to hold my sister (then 2 years outdated) and I together with all our baggage. All through our childhood, we might take the prepare continuously to shuttle backwards and forwards from our dwelling province Naga to Manila, to spend summers and Christmases with my grandparents and different family members.

My maternal grandparents would decide us up at Paco Station (which my sister remembers was a grand-looking place with a winding set of stairs that didn’t lead anyplace) in Manila after the 10-hour trip. In the course of the early Nineteen Eighties, I bear in mind the prepare being a extra well-liked technique of transport due to the dangerous roads which buses plied going to Bicol. When the roads improved, touring by bus turned extra handy. Airways additionally supplied flights to Naga, so we stopped using the prepare altogether till the journeys have been discontinued. Lack of upkeep, emergence of casual settlers dwelling alongside the tracks who would steal the wood planks and metallic rails, and injury to the railway community because of typhoons have been only a few of the explanation why the journeys ultimately stopped.

Earlier this yr, once I heard that the Bicol Specific would resume operations once more, I instantly needed to strive it out. After a number of failed makes an attempt to trip the prepare by myself because it relaunched (work and journey conflicts, journeys briefly discontinued because of system upkeep, after which cancelled because of typhoons, and many others.), I lastly received to board the prepare once more with my complete household. My sister had spent the sem break in Naga along with her son Eli and she or he was heading again with my dad and mom to Manila for a go to so that they booked a sleeper cabin. The night time earlier than they have been scheduled to depart, I hopped on a bus to Naga simply in order that I might trip on the prepare with them on the best way again. We have been all excited since it could be my nephew’s first prepare trip.

The journey introduced again reminiscences of our personal childhood rides and from my father, who rode the prepare as a baby himself, within the Fifties. Again then, he says that the home windows of the prepare have been open and you would stick your head out and wave to individuals exterior, similar to the Hogwarts Specific within the Harry Potter films. Now, clear sturdy glass covers all the big home windows, protected by metallic display grates since individuals dwelling alongside the tracks proceed to throw stones and rocks each time the prepare passes by.

Dante David, one of many prepare conductors, who we received to have a pleasant good chat with throughout our trip instructed us that regardless of this, two of the home windows had already been broken as a result of individuals dwelling alongside the tracks hurled giant rocks in opposition to the home windows. He remarked how solely trains within the Philippines wanted to be fitted with these sort of grates to make sure that passengers inside wouldn’t get harm. Since this is able to typically occur at night time and the prepare was on a strict schedule, they couldn’t simply cease anytime to apprehend the individuals.

I vaguely keep in mind that the outdated sleeping berths have been considerably darkish, enclosed, and every cabin had a metallic door. The household sleeper coaches now are fairly clear and comfy. The orange cushioned beds within the decrease bunks double as seats whereas a small ladder overlaying the window leads as much as the highest bunks. One cabin is good for a bunch or household of 4, however should you’re touring alone, you’ll be able to draw the curtains surrounding every particular person mattress to have some privateness. There are about three sleeper coaches, every with a 30-passenger capability, and one other coach with reclining seats that may seat 60 passengers. The conductor shared that there’s additionally a eating cart and government suite coach (with extra personal cabins), which they used throughout the fiesta. Nonetheless, each eating and government carts will not be used throughout regular journeys.

I bear in mind the loos within the outdated prepare being small metallic rooms in direction of the again of the cabin the place you would really see the prepare tracks and gravel should you appeared down the bathroom. Now, the prepare is fitted with trendy facilities with a number of sinks in direction of the tip of the coach and separate flush-toilets for female and male passengers.

My mother shared that after we have been youngsters, each time a prepare broke down, we needed to get down and trip wood rail skates to switch to a different prepare at one other cease. There have been occasions when the drivers of the skates would cease to really feel the prepare tracks for vibrations and instantly make everybody get off with their baggage. They’d elevate the complete wood contraption off the prepare tracks so {that a} prepare going within the different course might move. Fortunately, nothing like that occurred this time, and our trip was clean and on schedule.

Eli was excited about all the things, and needed to maintain climbing up and down the beds. He additionally made a recreation of swaying backwards and forwards in the midst of the 2 decrease bunk beds to purposely fall into somebody’s arms. In contrast to touring by bus or airplane, the sleeper coaches supplied more room for him to maneuver round and play, and it was good to have the ability to lounge about and lie down correctly. Ticket costs for the prepare that what you’d usually spend on airfare. After having fun with our packed dinner of burgers from Bigg’s, we spent a lot of the trip reminiscing about our early prepare rides, holding Eli entertained, and enjoying our staple highway video games. This time we selected to checklist songs that had something to do with journeys and touring basically.

When Eli lastly fell asleep, the remainder of us settled down in our personal bunks to get some relaxation. Should you’re not used to bus rides or undergo from carsickness, I like to recommend you keep on the decrease bunks, as a result of the swaying is far rougher on the high bunks. There have been occasions within the night time I used to be jerked awake when the prepare would swerve violently. Lights have been turned on once more at about 4:00 am and we received able to get down at Pasay Highway (previously Pio del Pilar), a really tiny station in distinction to the grand Paco station.

All in all, it was a really worthwhile journey and I used to be glad I received to expertise it with my household once more after so a few years. Should you’re planning to go to Bicol anytime quickly, I’d suggest you are taking this in your approach there or again to make your journey an added journey as nicely.

TRAVEL TIPS

Due to Ironwulf’s evaluation of the Bicol Specific’ soft-opening trip, I used to be capable of warn my household that no blankets and pillows could be offered. All the sleeper cabins are totally air-conditioned, so snug heat garments, jackets, socks and blankets are a should.
Should you don’t have a pillow, you’ll be able to all the time make a makeshift pillow out of your bag of garments.
Eating carts will not be but operational, so eat forward or convey meals to have dinner on board. Practice employees have transformed a brush closet on the finish of the coaches right into a small retailer the place they promote water, chips, gentle snacks and occasional.
The prepare stops for a most of one-two minutes per station for individuals to get on and off, so double test all of your baggage, and be able to get down rapidly.
Make use of the one-two minute stops to go to the restroom in order that it’s not so shaky.
Lights are turned off at 10:00 pm so individuals can relaxation and are turned on once more at round 4:00 am to wake individuals up. The personal nightlights per berth don’t appear to work, so it helps to have a flashlight if you wish to learn.
The final cease in Manila is Tutuban Station. Be certain that to order your lodge in Manila on-line, that approach you already know the place to go when you arrive. There are additionally stops at Alabang and Pasay Highway (previously Pio del Pilar). Departure from Pasay Highway to Naga is 6:57 pm.
The ticketing system remains to be not but that organized and passengers can solely purchase their ticket on the day of departure itself. Trains have been totally booked throughout the Penafrancia Fiesta and All Soul’s Day weekend, however they usually have additional seats/sleepers on regular days.
You possibly can strive calling beforehand to make reservations however we discovered it actually troublesome to name PNR’s listed quantity. In Naga, it was simple sufficient to simply go to the station and purchase the tickets. I’m unsure in regards to the system for the Manila-Naga certain trains.
Free baggage allowance = 20 kilos per passenger.
Youngsters 3 ft. and under are freed from cost!