train.gif

One of things I will never forget in Sagay City was The Legendary Siete: ILCO (Insular Lumber Company) Train . 7 called by many as ‘siete’ brings back the memories of many Sagaynons who once were served by this legendary train. The train served as their mode of transportation with the absence of other vehicle traveling from a remote barangay of Sagay. My great grandfather used to tell me about this because he was once an employee of ILCO.

‘Siete’ is a 3 feet, 6 inches gauge 4-cylinder compound 0-6-6-0 mallet that was built in 1925 by Locomotive Baldwin Works in Philadelphia, U.S.A. The train body is ornated with green livery lined in red, train eight-wheel bogie tender was done in black with bold letters painted ‘INSULAR LUMBER CO.’

Siete has always been called a “ghost who refuses to die.” Built in 1925, and served exhaustively somewhere in America also hauling lumber and later was declared ‘retired.” But later arrive in 1930’s at Insular Lumber Co., in Brgy. Fabrica managed then by Harvie Pope, an Englishman. Soon was revived by a team of talented mechanics at the local workshop then headed by Mr. William Allen while the railroad lines by Carlos Orleans.

After 84 year Siete is still standing, The train was restored and displayed in Sagay City Public Plaza. in memory of those once served by the train.

Colin Garratt, author of the book, Iron Dinosaurs considered Train No. 7 as the “world’s most incredible steam survivor” and even proclaiming her a ‘portrait of a dinosaur’ at the date his book was published in 1976.