Java Sugar Steam 1998 - 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). Future prospects for steam (and its mills) are very poor with Kalibagor, Ceper Baru and Colomadu reported closed during the 1998 season.

14. KALIBAGOR Mill Index

This mill has had its three remaining locos (including the rare Borsig Mallet) stored in excellent condition for some years. I have been told by may people including the area HQ that the mill has closed.  On 28th July, I found one its diesels at work at Sumberharjo.

15. GONDANG BARU Mill Index

At 14.00 on 15th August, the mill staff reported 3 and 8 out on the south line with 4 to go out later.  We duly found them at Brangkal. 3 left the far end at 15.00 only to be blocked by 8 some 2km later waiting for final loading.  Both left together at 15.30 and provided the usual excellent spectacle, arriving at the mill at 17.00. On 2nd September, I found 4 waiting at Brangkal at the end of the south line at 12.00.   After lunch, I was told at the mill that 2 was at Jogbrayan, down the branch off the south line.  The bullocks here have a long haul because the line is damaged and the loco hides out of sight half way down the branch, but it was clear from the loading area that a daylight train was unlikely.  So I set off back to Brangkal from where 4 left at 15.00.  As usual it was easy to chase and, after the customary two brew ups it got back to the mill just after 16.30, crossing 8 which was on its way to pick up the other half of the train.  Of course, it is impossible to generalise on the basis of just two visits but it is encouraging that field working continues here.

At 06.45 on 3rd September, 8 was parked next to the main road with a full train and there was another trainload nearer the mill.  2 had apparently wrecked a set of points the previous evening.  I had a 5 hour journey ahead to Pekalongan but it was too good an opportunity to miss. For the next two hours, the track gang dismantled and reassembled the point, until just after 09.00, 2 could back on to its train and enter the mill, closely followed by 8.

16. CEPER BARU Mill Index

I have been told by many people including the area HQ that this mill has closed.   An early season visitor reported 'no steam'.

17. COLOMADU Mill Index

This mill closed its field lines at the end of the 1991 season and apart from 4 which was transferred to Banjaratma in 1993, and 5 and 7 which have gone to Tasik Madu, all the other locos have been stored since then, all except 3 in serviceable condition. I passed the mill on 29th July and it was closed confirming what I was told elsewhere including the area HQ.

18. TASIK MADU Mill Index

I visited very briefly during the afternoon of 29th July.  The mill area was very busy, but muddy owing to heavy rain.  Colomadu 7 is now here joining 5 which arrived last year.  The loco foreman reported that operation was similar to 1997 and that the following locomotives were also working: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 14 .

In the morning of August 16th, all the working locomotives were in steam except 6 which was having a boiler wash put.  Both 5s were working to the west road yard and the others were marshalling the empties and the other deliveries.  Again the mill was busy but the first train round the side of the mill did not run until about 08.00.

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