Java Sugar Steam 2008 - Central Java North Coast

These mills were operated originally by PNP XV which became part of PNP XV/XVI, subsequently PTP XV/XVI which is now known as PTP Nusantara IX. They have a large number of steam locos, some operating to the fields in the traditional manner but they have the universal attribute of doing most of their most interesting work during the hours of darkness - presumably to balance the road deliveries which tend to be made during the day time. As far as charging is concerned, mills are now free to set their own charges. Most charge a standard Rp 50,000 per person per visit, but Pangka was charging Rp 100,000 in 2006, with discounts available for larger groups....

(I was in this area briefly on my recce visit on a Sunday out of season minus a permit. As such I didn't try to get into the mills!) 

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

7. BANJARATMA Mill Index

This mill closed at the end of the 1997 season.. Two of its diesel locomotives have gone to Tasik Madu, the steam locomotives were stored and then cut up around 2002/3. 

8. JATIBARANG Mill Index

(Take a bus from Tegal south and get off in Slawi. Catch a minibus west to Jatibarang.)

Although the mill now has two Japanese diesels from Cepiring, steam activity is hanging on here. 1, 2,  5, 10 and 12 have been in use at various times in recent years but rarely more than one or two at a time. A July 2007 visitor found 1, 5 and 12 working. In August, just 1 and 5, the livery here is now dark blue.

Jung Mallet 9 has been sold to Graham Lee in the UK.

A July 2008 visit found just 5 in use on empties from the mill to the yard, with diesels working all other services. 2 was also serviceable and 1 had been sent to Tasik Madu for preservation. 

9. PANGKA Mill Index

(Tegal - Pekalongan buses pass the turn-off at Larangan some 9km east of Tegal. Take a minibus from here - which continues to Slawi south of Tegal - this is an alternative approach, see Jatibarang above.)

Steam activity tends to increase as the season progresses and more bagasse becomes available. Up to five locomotives from 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10 have been used in recent years, repainted orange, when their tourist operation started. This mill is actively promoting agro-tourism and hopes to establish a regular passenger train to a nearby dam - however, there is no money available for the capital expenditure on the track. There is one remaining field line here to the north-east but usually the diesels work it unless a visiting group pays for a steam locomotive....

A July 2007 visitor found 1, 3, 9 and 10 working, in August it was 2, 3 and 10. The same set of locomotives was available during a July 2008 visit, with four of them in steam and three actually working with two diesels.

10. SUMBERHARJO Mill Index

(No information available, but likely to start about the same time as the other mills in the area.)

(There is a minibus from some way south of the bus terminal in Pemalang.)

3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 have all worked here in recent years but don't expect to see much daylight movement since both ash and mud trains have sadly succumbed to the inevitable truck and loaded trains usually run at night. The best most visitors can hope for is steam tender first on empties. Unless, of course, you are the kind of Japanese or other shit who believes money can and should buy you anything you want and you pay for a circus train....

A July 2007 visitor found 3, 4, 6,  7, 10 and 11 working, an observation repeated in August. A July 2008 found 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 in steam and 2 sets of empties going out. This was the shed mid-morning.

11. SRAGI Mill Index

(I was told milling would start about 7th June 2008.)

(Take a minibus (occasional) or an ojek (motor cycle) from the turn-off between Wiradesa and Comal on the Pekalongan - Tegal road. Alternatively, there are more minibuses from the centre of Comal.)

Click here for pictures of the Sragi 2002 roster in steam (except OK 0-8-0T 8 and 19). Sragi was one of 2004's disasters. The field lines were lifted, since when steam has naturally been confined to the yard. Variously 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19 and 20 have been used. 1 (and also 14) have since been sold to Graham Lee in the UK (the purchaser of Trangkil 4 and Pakis Baru 1 and 5, Ceper 5 and Jatibarang 9). Watch out for the large Japanese diesels working alongside them and derailments next to the level crossing (which bring operations to a complete halt) which seem to be endemic. 

A July 2007 visitor found 5, 7, 8, 12, 16, 19 and 20 working. The same locomotives had been joined by 17 in August. We found 5, 7, 8, 12, 16, 17 and 19 in steam in July 2008 with normal afternoon operation. Only one diesel was working.

12. CEPIRING Mill Index

The mill was closed at the end of the 1997 season. I visited in September 2003 as part of my mill machinery survey. One of the locomotives is dumped outside the shed, the rest are inside with undergrowth rapidly taking over. However, after refurbishment, the mill is scheduled to reopen in 2007, I find it inconceivable that any rail activity, let alone steam will be involved.

13. RENDENG Mill Index

All 6 steam locos here have been in store for many years except 8 which was transferred to Gondang Baru and used there until they closed their field lines.

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