Java Sugar Steam 2007 - West Java

PG Rajawali II (previously PTP XIV, before that PNP XIV) operates all the mills in West Java. These can be reached easily from Cirebon which has good facilities. Alone among the nationalised sector, these mills did not charge visitors, although charges were introduced in 2006, from Rp 50,000 per person per visit upwards. All the mills are now rather run down and activity of any kind including the steam locomotives is quite limited. 

Click here for a photo gallery from the 2006 LCGB tour, courtesy of Robin Patrick.

1.KADHIPATEN Mill Index

Closed in 2000. By June 2003, the mill was 99% dismantled/scrapped the locomotives survived locked in the adjacent shed, but were scrapped in early July.

2. JATIWANGI Mill Index

I was told at Kadhipaten in June 2003 that the mill had been totally dismantled. The steam locomotives were cut up in early July.

3. GEMPOL Mill Index

I was told at Kadhipaten in June 2003 that the mill had been totally dismantled. No doubt the remaining steam locomotives were scrapped.

One of the Henschel locomotives (12) from here has now been sent to Taman Mini in Jakarta. When I visited in 1999, staff told me that the other Henschel was now on a tourist railway in Jambi (Central Sumatra), a fact I am unlikely to be in a position to check out!

4. SINDANGLAUT Mill Index

Steam was not used except on special request for parties in 2005/6. It certainly was not regularly 'shunting in the yard' as the Railway Touring Company promised in their 2006 advertising.

In August 2007, only 8 was reported serviceable but there were no plans to use it.

5. TERSANA BARU Mill Index

Six or seven  locomotives were under steam normally in 2006. Activity is restricted to the main mill yard and varies enormously from day to day.

Reported similar in 2007, although problems within the PT Rajawali II organisation meant that a group in August 2007 was denied admission despite a permit having been issued earlier.

6. KETANGGUNGAN BARAT Mill Index

Closed in 2002 owing to bridge problems and this will have been the end of steam here. By 2004, most if not all the track between here and Tersana Baru had been lifted. 

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