Virtual Railfan Tour - Philippines Sugar Cane Railways

 

In January-February 1992 Mary and I went on a trip to visit the sugar cane railways on the island of Negros in the Philippines. These railways were all, I believe, two foot gauge and we will start by looking at the largest of these owned by the Victorias Sugar Milling Company in the northern part of the island.  The Victorias Milling Company's system was one of the largest two foot gauge railways in the world with over 400 km of route. Situated at the northern end of Negros, the railway was built to carry sugar cane from the fields to the mill. The system was well maintained and even built their own diesel locos. At the time of this visit most 'mainline' trains were diesel hauled but steam was still in use. To give some impression of the size of this railway there were over 2400 bogie cane trucks. I believe the Victorias operation now uses all highway trucks.

This steam locomotive was on display at the mill. Note the low sided tender.


We first had a look at the mill sidings


A work car and crew




A number of steam locomotives were in evidence, all with the built up tender sides to hold the large amounts of bagasse, or the straw by product of the milling process. Large amounts are bagasse are needed to keep a steam locomotive on the boil.


They were getting a steam locomotive ready to take us out into the fields


Our train. Although we had an open car, visibility forward was non-existent behind the enormous tender.

We took the opportunity for a run past over this river

While we were admiring our locomotive another train had crept up on us

There was a heated "discussion" between the crews and a strategy was finally agreed

There was some good natured manuvering

And we were free to continue.






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