Visiting the Ruins of Dagupan station

The historic Dagupan Railway Station started operating back in 1892, a few years before the Filipino Revolution. The railway was inducted after King Alfonso XII of Spain proclaimed the establishment of a railway system in Luzon. It was first named as the Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan before adopting an English name and was called the Manila Railway Company. Now, the railway system is called the Philippine National Railways.

The whole Manila-Dagupan Line has a total length of 195 kilometers. The station served as a terminus for the Philippine National Railways operating on the Manila-Dagupan line. The goal of the railway line was to connect to provinces in Central Luzon, specifically from Manila to Dagupan, to create and connect trade points and guide connecting provinces into a progressive economy.

Crossfires and civilian evacuation often affected railway traffic because the railway system started operating during the Filipino Revolution. Railway interruptions continued during the Filipino-American War and the Second World War when the Japanese Imperial Army took control of the railway system.

The Locomotive Engine No. 17 was said to be the safest mode of transportation during the Spanish Colonial Period. According to local Dagupeños, Locomotive Engine No. 17 was the same train used by Dr. Jose Rizal during his visits to Leonor Rivera in Dagupan City.

In 1988, the Philippine National Railways stopped the operations of the Manila-Dagupan line and abandoned its premises. The Philippine National Railways was forced to stop its operations due to natural calamities and damages sustained from the Second World War. The abandonment of the railway station is often vandalized and has turned it into a local garbage dump.

How to Get to the Old Dagupan Railway Station

Visitors from Metro Manila can take a bus bound to Dagupan City through Victory Liner from the Victory Liner Bus Terminals in Caloocan City and Pasay City. The bus fare from Caloocan City is PHP376 and the bus fare from Pasay City is PHP392. Travel time is around 4-5 hours, depending on the schedule and the traffic.

From the Dagupan City, take a jeepney bound to the City Plaza from the Dagupan City Transport Terminal. Jeepney fare is PHP10 and travel time is half an hour.

*Rates and schedules are subject to change without prior notice

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