This article is meant for all those who are fascinated with trains. I know I have a new young friend who is fascinated with trains and this article is for you in appreciation.
My first train ride to/from Naga was back in the 1960s as a young boy with the family. The train would depart for the 400 kilometer distance at around 8:00PM and we’d get to Manila still sleepy at 5:00AM. There were air-conditioned coaches with two and two seating combination. There were also, the sleeper coaches and also, the non-air conditioned coaches and as I recall there were around 10 to 12 coaches so when the train would run a curve, I recall looking a what seemed like a fish tail on a full moon night. And, when there were bad weather conditions, the 9 hour train ride would extend to as long as 18 to 24 hours. And the toilets were bad.
This article documents that the speed at which trains and subways are now able to travel at affordable cost of about RMB7 or about Philippine Peso 56 or about US dollar 1, one way for 45 kilometers from say the Shanghai Pudong International Airport to the Bund. Incredible at 300 KPH.
I cannot imagine that in my lifetime, I will get to travel home to Naga from Manila in under 2 hours. which as of today, takes 15 to 16 hours by car to travel the 350 to 400 kilometers. Hopefully, the Milleneals or Gen Zs will.
With major cities’ train stations in China already the size of our international airport terminal in many parts of the world to me is a thrill. I grew up going to the Paco Station for our train ride to Naga.
May Kwento Ako 