Java Sugar Steam 2001 - Madiun Area Mills

The Madiun mills are operated by PTP Nusantara XI.  There is clearly room for rationalisation in this area.  I would not be surprised if a couple of these mills closed soon, Kanigoro and Soedhono (even Rejosari) would seem to be the most likely candidates. 1998 proved to be a disastrous year for steam around Madiun, and 1999 turned out to be even worse. 2000 was similar to 1999, the number of active locos was much less than half what it was four years ago and I was surprised to find 2001 a little better.

19. SOEDHONO Mill Index

All regular traffic was handled by at least 5 diesels in 2000, with 3, 6, 9 and 10 were stored serviceable in the shed. The administration promised to steam one for my groups and this happened for both visits. On 24th June at 09.30, I found that 3 was back in regular use, its current duty being the mud train. From the noises it was making it was not in the best of condition. None of the others looked likely to see any use this year. On 13th July we found the mill undergoing maintenance, and 3 was in light steam next to the shed. Since the weather was of the South China variety we had a quick look at the mill and left.

20. PURWODADI Mill Index

All 4 working steam locomotives, 5, 10, 11 and 15 were at work at 09.00 on 24th June. Likely to stay that way too through till September. The same four locomotives were in use on 12th July, when the first train went in just before 09.00. The next day the first train ran at around 08.00. On 29th July, the same four locomotives were busy at work by 07.30. This is a 2000 picture. 

.21. REJOSARI Mill Index

10 was at work at 10.30 on 24th June, looking a little less smart than in previous years. Loco staff said that 6 would also be working in the afternoon (the previous alternate 12 was said to be unserviceable). This was only a 5 minute visit and we can only hope to see 10 at work again in 2002 like in this 2000 picture. On 12th July in the afternoon, the cane trains were shared between 10 and the large diesel Agung. The weather rather let us down, but I did have the opportunity of driving the 16.30 departure and can confirm that 10 is indeed a dream machine, way ahead of anything else I have had control of in Indonesia. 10 also worked in the same way on the afternoon of 28th July. The next day, Agung was indisposed and the duties were shared by 6 and 10.

22. KANIGORO Mill Index

The mill had been extremely quiet in 2000 with very little cane and few locos in use. On 24th June 2001 at 08.00, the mill was very quiet. Diesels were doing most of the cane work, but 11 was in steam in the yard and 1 was a very pleasant sight on the morning mud train. 2 and 6 were outside the shed and looked available if needed. On 13th July at 10.00, 6 was shunting, 11 was in light steam outside the shed and 1 was sitting around waiting to work the afternoon mud train. I believe that it was a marginal decision to open the mill this year and it cannot last much longer, certainly its future was being debated in the local newspapers. 1 was on the mud train again on the afternoon of 29th July.

23. PAGOTTAN Mill Index

In both 1999 and 2000,  just 8 was in use with its nose tight up against loaded loris near the mill. In 2000, the diesels were propelling in the loris which meant they no longer needed to be coupled - presumably the increased risk of derailment was no longer important with reduced trainloads. I was told by another 2001 visitor that they were only using diesels, there being insufficient bagasse and wood being too expensive. However, by August 8 was back in use again on its regular duty.

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