Java Sugar Steam 2010 - Madiun Area Mills

The Madiun mills are operated by PTP Nusantara XI.  There is clearly room for rationalisation in this area.  These days, only Purwodadi is likely to offer anything that might be described as 'busy steam'.

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

19. SOEDHONO Mill Index

Had started milling by June 9th when Thomas Kautzor visited with the Far Rail tour, 3 was in use.

100% diesel operation by 2002/3. Several of the steam locomotives look as if they could easily be returned to activity but I couldn't see it happening although 2008 visitors were told it was under consideration for 2009. In the end #3 was restored to working order and Bernd Seiler said the management were considering following this with Engerth (Stutz tender) #6 in 2010. When I visited in May 2010, it seemed certain that #3 would be in use but unlikely that #6 would see much work. In the event it was not in use during a July 2010 visit but was steamed for a visiting group in early August 2010.

20. PURWODADI Mill Index

(Buses between Madiun and Solo pass the mill, which is some 6km north of Maospati, the major road junction west of Madiun.)

With up to four OK 0-8-0Ts this is the busiest steam mill in the area, with locomotives top and tailing trains on the short run over the main road and across the photogenic viaduct before vanishing into the mill. It can only be a matter of time before a gricer is mown down by the heavy passing traffic.

Had started milling by June 11th 2010 when Thomas Kautzor visited with the Far Rail tour, 10, 15 and 16 were in use. July/August 2010 visitors found between one and three of these in use, see John Raby's Steamy Java 2010 blog for details. Fabian Scholz found just 16 in use with two diesels with most cane being unloaded directly into the mill.

Ameling Algra was here in late July 2009 and found the mill working normally, as did Bernd Seiler a month later, a July 2008 visit found 3 locomotives in steam working normally. A July 2007 visitor found 5, 10 and 16 working. In August it was 5, 15 and 16, apparently an extra railing has been added to the viaduct which spoils photography... Well, in that case remember this picture was taken in 2002!

The Railway Touring Company offered 'a special cane train into the fields' here in 2005 and again in 2006. If either ran then it will have been a hover train or maybe a maglev...

.21. REJOSARI Mill Index

(The mill is at Gorang Gareng, south-west of Madiun. Minibuses run from the newer (southern) of the two bridges on the west side of town.)

Had started milling by June 11th 2010 when Thomas Kautzor visited with the Far Rail tour, 6, 7 and 10 were in use, the latter presumably 'on request'. By late July 2010, there was insufficient cane and normal work was being covered by the diesels. 10 was again steamed 'on request', see John Raby's Steamy Java 2010 blog for details. Fabian Scholz found steam locos 6 and 7 at work with one diesel on 24th August.

Since road deliveries are now taken directly to the mill compound, the amount of rail activity is much reduced although in recent years one of the OK 0-8-0T has been in use alongside the diesels. The unique jackshaft locomotive 10 (Salak) has been steamed in recent years on request for parties. Rejosari started milling in early May 2008 and I found 7 working as usual on 16th May 2008 together with the mill's other venerable jackshaft loco, by July both 6 and 7 were at work. Bernd Seiler found the same locos in steam in August 2009. While the mill welcomes visitors to see the steam locomotives, the mill engineer (currently Agung Restanto is most reluctant to let visitors inside 'his' mill, which is a shame as it's one of the best on the island for steam power.

10, was in use 'on request' for our Java Tour 2008 on July 26th, a July 2007 visitor found 7 working, 10 had been in steam earlier in the day for a tour group. August visitors reported that 6 is also available and the engines have reverted to the old livery of dark green with a yellow stripe.

22. KANIGORO Mill Index

(The mill is a little way south of Madiun. Buses and colts between Madiun and Ponorogo pass a set of traffic lights on the outskirts of town. Walk, take a becak or minibus T east some 1km to the mill.)

Had started milling by June 12th when Thomas Kautzor visited with the Far Rail tour, 11 was in use. I believe John Raby's group found one locomotive at work in July 2010, see John Raby's Steamy Java 2010 blog for details. Fabian Scholz found 11 at work again on 24th August although much of the work was being done by tractors.

6 was working daily in July 2008 and anonymous 11 having been worked on recently was allegedly ready to act as spare. Bernd Seiler found one steam locomotive in use in August 2009.

One or two of the OK 0-8-0T were in use for shunting along with the diesels in 2006. A July 2007 visitor found 6 working and 2 standby, 6 was working in August too.

23. PAGOTTAN Mill Index

(The mill is 9km south of Madiun. Buses and colts between Madiun and Ponorogo pass the main gate.)

Had started milling by June 11th when Thomas Kautzor visited with the Far Rail tour, two Luttermöllers were in use. However, by July 2010, both were out of use, not needed in a poor season, see John Raby's Steamy Java 2010 blog for details. Fabian Scholz found the same on 24th August.

Previously, it was a mill which had used more steam in recent years, including two of the Luttermöllers. 

Ameling Algra was here in late July 2009 and found the mill working although there was little movement owing to (temporary) internal problems. Bernd Seiler found Luttermöller 6 in use in August 2009.

However their normal operation involves limited activity most of which is propelling fulls into the mill, but the nature of this, when it happens, means that there is a chance to see the semi-articulated system in action with the outside wheels spinning apparently without cause when the locomotive slips....A July 2007 visitor found 6 and 7 working, the same two locomotives were at work in August. 

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