https://www.facebook.com/DOTrPH/posts/1937785793027214“We can say that, indeed, the rail sector is a beautiful sector in transport industry. We can say, indeed, that the Philippines is a beautiful country to be in, because, among others, the transportation needs are being addressed”
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade addressed the riding public, as he joined Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Junn Magno in gracing the blessing and the inaugural run of PNR’s newest Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives (DHLs) and Passenger Coaches today, 28 January 2021.
At the said event, held at the PNR Dela Rosa Station, Secretary Tugade and guest officials rode the train and conducted the test run that ended at Tutuban station.
GM Magno, who Secretary Tugade called as the Father of Modern PNR, attributed this significant development to the leadership of the transportation chief.
“This administration has implemented more railways project, has assigned more classes, has introduce new innovations, has introduce new generation of rolling stock classes than any other administration combined and that is to the leadership of our Secretary Art Tugade,” Magno expressed.
The PNR GM said it has been 50 years since PNR acquired mainline locomotives, and this is the first time in more than 40 years that the PNR Metro Commuter Rail Line will be served by a new fleet.
What sets these trains apart from the current train sets of PNR, is the fact that these are new diesel hydraulic locomotives, which have a water wading capacity of 18 inches.
Further, PNR Assistant General Manager Ces Lauta said this train has a crush or maximum passenger capacity of 1,330 and is considered as PNR’s high capacity train.
“The DHL also include a maximum design speed of 120 kph and with high clearance for flood tracks. Its main engine has 2200 horsepower (1700KW), and it is equipped with Power Management System for fuel optimization. It also has a monitoring system with diagnostic and recorder function," AGM Lauta said.
The passenger coaches consist a 5-car formation, with the middle coach having a conductor's room that controls the door operation, CCTV monitoring, switch for lightings, public announcement system. It is also equipped with 36000 kcal/hour air conditioning unit in each coach that is suitable to the temperature for tropical countries like the Philippines.
Moreover, the new trains have 2 driver cabin at both ends, equipped with 7000kcal/h cooling capacity at each cabin. It features an interior access to the engine room, the first of its kind for the PNR fleet.
Other officials present at the event are Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Projects Eymard Eje, Philippine Railway Institute (PRI) Executive Director Undersecretary Anneli Lontoc, Office of the Transportation Security (OTS) Administrator Undersecretary Raul Del Rosario, Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Manny Gonzales, PCG Rear Admiral Oscar Endona Jr, and other officials of the PNR.
Also present are Indonesian Embassy Minister Counsellor Kusuma Pradopo and other officials of the Indonesia Embassy.
