Steam train trips

An old-fashioned steam train passes through the tea plantations here a couple of times a day has become popular as the first tea of the season is being picked by local farmers.

The private Oigawa Railway runs the trains through the tea growing area of Kawate, and in mid May passengers can watch the tea being picked as they wind their way through some magnificant secenery, which makes for great photo opportunities.

The railway enthusiasts society that runs the trains has a collection of five steam locos all lovingly rebuilt and maintained, including a British Dübs Class 2100 0-6-2 tank engine built in 1892 and a Class C56 2-6-0 tender engine from Thailand!

More information >> and here

A stunning archipelago of over 7,000 sub-tropical islands, the Philippines do not feature on your average traveller’s itinerary! This country has a long and infamous history.

However it’s also got a lot of very beautiful scenery and a wonderful laid back atmosphere and people who take the laid back attitude of the Spanish and add some extra heart to it.

There isn’t that much of a rail network in the Phillippines in fact train travel is limited to one line running from Manila to Naga! but if you’re in Asia on a rail tour then the Phillipines is easily accessable from Japan, China and other SE Asian countries.

There is actually a fair amount of history with railways in the Philippines. There is a mailling list and website about trains there run by an Aussie.

Within Manila you can find several light railways and this link (PDF) has a thorough history of the Manila Metro.

Overall for the serious train buff in Asia the Phillippines is worth a visit to see some the wonderful sights and meet the people, but don’t expect to find that many trains!