The International Steam Pages


Steam in Negros, November 1998

Philippines resident Michael Reilly reports on the prospects for the new sugar season (7th November 1998)

I have just returned from a quick visit to Bacolod,  the 1998-9 sugar-milling season on Negros having opened last week There is little new since your own visit last January but the following notes are an update for anyone who may be contemplating a visit in the course of this season. Present estimates are that the new season will run until April or May, depending on the mill.

Victorias: visited on 5 November. All extant locos, Henschels nos.2H-8H have been moved to the main workshops at Victorias and are stored there. Whether or not they are in working order is debatable. An approach to the Mill's PR people in May to request a special working was unsuccessful, but the Company Vice President claimed several remained in working order, and said that with advance notice staff would be happy to steam one - most  likely 5H which was reportedly being used as a stationary boiler in May, and had been allegedly used for occasional shunting duties last season. But the overall condition of most is poor, and the Mill made no secret of its wish to downscale, or even abandon, rail operation.

Hawaiian-Philippines, Silay: This British owned company remains the jewel in the crown of Negros steam. Milling only started on 4 November, so the following day only Baldwins 6 and 7 were in steam, for yard work only. But staff expected this to alter as milling built up, with a pattern broadly similar to last year of three locos normally in steam, including at least one for line work. But 5 locos are said to be available for service: Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, and would be used if the situation warranted it. In practice, with a poor crop likely because of last year's drought and late rains this season, this seems unlikely.

La Carlota: Has now ceased all regular steam operations, even for yard work. But the traffic manager claims to have 7 locos in working order which will be kept for standby duties. The staff here are extremely obliging and are willing to steam locos on request, given reasonable notice. This was the case on 6 November, when Baldwin No 106 was put in steam especially for our visit and worked a full shift, including line work to bring in loaded cane trains. 0-4-0 no 4 had also been steamed recently.


Rob Dickinson

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