Inspection of the Sipocot-Naga-Legazpi Commuter Service Reaped Positive Results

[Photo Courtesy: PNR Planning Engineer Kim Naniong]

The Philippine National Railways or PNR had finished inspecting the trips through Tutuban, Manila; Lucena City, Quezon Province; and Sipocot, Naga City and Iriga City in Camarines Sur.

The Main Line South or the MLS is made available up to Iriga City. It is currently available to accept the transport of rolling stock materials between Manila and Bicol.

[Photo Courtesy: PNR Planning Engineer Kim Naniong]

The PNR inspection team was manned by personnel from the PNR Operations Engineering, Rolling Stock Management, and Planning. They had begun the inspection on September 20, 2019, from Manila and returned on the 23rd of September 2019.

The inspection followed the route of the traditional Penafrania express special trip dispatched by PNR since 1939. This is made to honor the feast day of Our Lady of Penafrancia.

[Photo Courtesy: PNR Planning Engineer Kim Naniong]

During the inspection run from Naga to Tutuban, the ride took 12 hours and 44 minutes. The resulting travel time on the inspection resulted in a conclusion of three hours faster travel time compared to the typical Naga-Mania rail trip period.

The inspection was conducted as a preparation for the reopening of the Sipocot-Naga-Legazpi travel service. PNR had already finished the rehabilitation of the 60 years old train called Kiha KH59 or the Kogane train.