Java Sugar Steam 2008 - Central Java South Coast

These mills were operated originally by PNP XVI which became part of PNP XV/XVI, subsequently PTP XV/XVI which is now known as PTP Nusantara IX. It took me a long time to sort out these mills because this was not an interesting area for main line steam in the 70s. In their prime Gondang Baru and Tasik Madu provided some of my favourite rides and photos. However, this area has really prospered in recent times which means that the mills have suffered badly from loss of labour (to new factories) and growing land (to housing as the towns and cities expand). Only at Tasik Madu does active steam locomotive activity remain and that is slightly tarnished by the mill's entry into the tourist market.

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

14. KALIBAGOR Mill Index

Closed at the end of the 1997 season. 4 and 5 were transferred to Sumberharjo in 2000 (and then scrapped!), leaving only 7 here as 6 went to Gondang Baru some years ago. 7 is now at Gondang Baru, quite why I don't know!

15. GONDANG BARU Mill Index

(This mill is worth visiting for its amazing stationary steam engines - the best collection of active 19th century kit in the world. Buses between Yogya and Solo pass the main gate.)

This mill did not use its steam locomotives in 1999 and closed its field lines. Unlikely to have used them at all since then although (former Rendeng) 8 is allegedly kept as spare. 6 has been stuffed and mounted outside the HQ in Solo.

16. CEPER BARU Mill Index

Closed at the end of the 1997 season. 7 and 8 have appeared at Gondang Baru, presumably for the museum although 8 was later sold to Graham Lee in the UK.

17. COLOMADU Mill Index

Closed at the end of the 1997 season. On 21st September 2002, I found the 4 remaining steam locos locked up with the mill derelict - all electrical equipment had been removed but there were still many stationary engines left. 

18. TASIK MADU Mill Index

(Buses between Solo and Tawangmanggu pass the turn-off which is 1km south of the mill. Walk or take a Becak from here. There are slower, less frequent, but direct small buses to the west side of the mill from Solo which pass through the small bus station at Palur near where the Madiun road turns sharp left and the Tawangmanggu road goes straight on. For those staying in the west end of Jalan Selamat Riyadi - the main street - the bis kota between Kartasura and Palur connect with this.)

Reported by Steve Noon in March 2008 to be preparing to use the same set of steam locomotives for work around the mill. I was here on 20th May - a public holiday - along with 3000 or so Indonesians - and final preparations were being made for the new season due to start on 23rd May 2008. Click here for a fuller report. Don't let this picture put you off, there was real steam in quantity here during the forthcoming season.

Click here for pictures of the Tasik Madu 2002 roster in steam, this is one of the best mills in Java for action. Up to six locomotives can be expected to be in use again (III, V, VI, 5A, 7A, XIV), the number tends to increase as the season progresses and more bagasse is available. The vertical boiler steam roller can operated if notice is given - click here for it in action in 2003, my 2006 group found its antics a delight as usual. As indicated above, there are tourist trains here at the weekends and holidays with a decorated I (and new arrival Colomadu 3) although these are largely kept separate from normal operations, at least when the mill is not operational. They have now drastically increased their charges to Rp 100,000 per person per visit, discountable on request for large groups. 4, 7 and 15 have been stuffed and mounted minus all fittings, rods, tanks etc. 

As always, the Railway Touring Company believes in creative advertising for their 2007 trip: "Here we have a special steam charter out into the fields." It didn't get very far, of course, as even their own report makes clear, although some track was reinstated as part of a loop for the tourist train in 2006 (see above!).

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