Restoring Ambarawa's North Line (Part 1)
Click here for the main unofficial Ambarawa Railway Museum Home Page. Photographs on this page are courtesy of Nick Bryant, except Rob Dickinson's 1975 image and the 1999 image which is from John Tillman.
Click here for Restoring the North Line (Part 2 - Out in the country)
The railway north from Ambarawa along the lake (Rawa Pening) as far as Tuntang has been restored. This was originally laid to standard gauge (4ft 8½in) as opposed to the current cape gauge (3ft 6in, 1067mm). The trackbed was more or less unobstructed and in July 2001, the provincial Government of Central Java allocated funds for this purpose. In November 2001, a private contractor started work on the contract. Firstly, the trackbed had to be secured because it had been partly built over in the 25 years since the last trains ran here. Some earthworks needed replacing and it is likely that only lightweight trolleys will provide a service initially after the official re-opening in March 2002.
But first, what is the attraction of this work? Well, I guess this picture of B2503 and train taken on 11th August 1975 says it all:
The first picture (all four taken on 23rd November 2001) shows the exit from Ambarawa station across Jalan Permuda.
This picture shows some of the problems caused by encroachment over the years.
This is Jalan Kartini about 2km out from the station - the line is under their somewhere! (December 1991)
Click here for the main unofficial Ambarawa Railway Museum Home Page
Click for pictures and further information about the museum:
| A Ride on the Ambarawa Rack Railway | Preserved Steam Locomotives |
| Locomotive Shed | Ambarawa Station |
| Southern Stations in the Ambarawa Area (Jambu and Bedono) |
Northern Stations in the Ambarawa Area (Tuntang, Bringin and Kedungjati) |
| Restoring the North Line (Part 2 - Out in the country) |
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| A Glimpse of 'Real' Steam | Non steam power |
| Carriage and Wagon | Potential Carriage and Wagon |
| Ancillary Equipment | |
| A Train in the Ambarawa Military Museum | About the Museum |
Click here for the International Steam Page.
Rob Dickinson
Email: webmaster@internationalsteam.co.uk