The Bicol Express Train Nostalgia Run
With a couple of old time buddies in tow, I boarded what may be a historic run of the Bicol Express marking the much awaited final test run of the Philippine National Railways final simulation of an actual commercial run, i.e. leaving Manila (Tutuban Station) at 6PM with a six-car configuration (3 Family Sleeper, 1 Executive Sleeper, a Reclining-Seat car, and a Dining car). The family sleepers (FS) car is one where the passenger can lie down on a full-body bed-like seat with a curtain which can be drawn close to provide privacy. There are four of these "beds"- two on each side of the open-cabin, one above the other. The executive sleeper (ES) car is an enclosed 1.5 by 2 space where a small bed and a small table can be found. It's height is about 5 feet. And this is because another such cabin is located above it ala mezzanine. Each cabin has a door which can be locked to afford total privacy (unlike that in the family sleeper where only a curtain keeps away the pr...