Jun 17 2010
Reminiscing Cebu’s old railway system
A former railway bridge spanning a creek.
Unknown to the newer generation, Cebu used to have a railway system that stretched from as far as Argao down south all the way to Danao up north. The central station and the depot were located in Cebu City somewhere at the area now occupied by the Cebu South Bus Terminal and the CITOM-LTO compound. The railway system ceased to function after World War II. Buses then were beginning to gain popularity among the locals. According to a historian, some of the railroad tracks were eventually sold by the government to sugar milling companies.
Below: A station in Carcar. Note the roofing made of wooden planks.
Below: The pier of what used to be a railway bridge at the border of Carcar and San Fernando.
Related Articles
August 8th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
good day…i’m leslie obiso of argao, cebu…my paternal grandfather PEDRO OBISO used to work in the railroad system in argao, cebu….in fact our family used to lived in the old train station in argao, cebu (my two elder brothers were born in the old train station)… it is sad to see that the old train station in argao was left out for restoration….it is presently used as the fire station and office of the radio communication….before that it was used as a school office of the cebu south provincial highschool, a bodega and office of the bureau of lands….hope that this old building may be restored or can be used as a museum featuring the old photos of the train and other memorabilia….the obiso family has a high regard for this building for once it was part of our everyday life…………..
August 8th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Thanks for the info Leslie. This former “train station” in Argao is definitely on my “next visit” list so that I shoot some photos of it and feature it here.
August 8th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
thnxs…our house is near the old train station…..i can be available every sunday in our hometown (argao)…im looking forward in helping you as guide…….