Java Sugar Steam 1999 - 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, most 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. In 1998/9, the mills charged a uniform RP 25000 per visitor. Future prospects are not good here, nearly all the mills had finished by the end of August and I would expect more closures in the next year or two.

7. BANJARATMA Mill Index

This mill did not open in 1998 or 1999 and will stay closed. Two of its diesel locomotives have gone to Tasik Madu.

8. JATIBARANG Mill Index

On July 17th in the early afternoon, 5 and 10 were working between the delivery yard and mill.  12 was in steam on shed. 9 was dead outside with 1, 2,.4, 7 and 11 stored inside.  Preserved 8 was almost hidden by the foliage outside the mill offices.  It would seem likely that field working here is now effectively all diesel. 5 and 10 were again at work at 11.00 on 30th July and again at 08.00 on 4th August with 12 spare in steam. This mill had finished its season by August 20th.

9. PANGKA Mill Index

I was here for ten minutes in the afternoon of July 17th.  I had just enough time to mount my video before 3, 7 and 2 in quick succession took in trains from the delivery yard.  It appears that once again the mill had become clogged up.  I was not able to check which other locos were in use this year. At 10.30 on July 30th, the yard locos were 1, 3 and 7. My group spent the afternoon here on August 4th. 2, 7, 9 and 10 were working the trains which ran across the road every 20-30 minutes. 1 and 3 were in steam in reserve on shed. 5 and 8 were still stored. I was told at Tasik Madu on August 24th that the season had finished here.

10. SUMBERHARJO Mill Index

I took the back road from Pangka to Sumberharjo on July 17th and found 6 just west of the mill where final loading was taking place - such that departure would have been just after it got dark.  The crew said that the other working locos this year were 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11. 1 and 5 were not in use and the mud train continued diesel.  A quick visit to the mill area saw 3 and 7 coming off shed for some nocturnal activity.  Locos were still burning wood but by August were on to bagasse. On 5th August at 08.00 no locos had yet come off shed as usual. 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 eventually made it to the bagasse store by the mill and we were told that eventually 10 would take empties to the field, but none appeared available by 10.00 when we left. Apparently 2 has now been cut up. New diesel locos here are 1 and 2 from Kalibagor and 10 from Colomadu. This was probably the last mill to finish in this area.

11. SRAGI Mill Index

At 7.00 am on 18th July, 12, 17 and 20 had worked in overnight from Comal where 8 and 19 were said to be on shed. 5, 6, 7 and 16 were ready to propel up fulls from the delivery yard as the road trucks started to appear. 11 was ready to work empties and 1, 10 and 15 were also in steam with 14 serviceable but cold.  9 (dumped) and 13 (stored) were the only other locos at Sragi, the rest (2, 3, 4, 18, 4K and 6K) were stored unserviceable at Comal. Overall, no change from 1998.  Locos were still burning wood. On the afternoon of July 29th, the mill was very busy but one of 7's wagons was derailed between the mill and road yard.... I went looking for 12 west of Comal but my Kijang had starter problems and rather than risk a failure miles from anywhere I aborted, mended the car and went for a swim in Pekalongan. This year, I am feeling my age!

On July 30th, I went early to the mill hoping to photograph centenarian Krauss 0-4-2T 1 in action.  I was not disappointed as it was working the morning empties to the road yard. The mill appeared constipated, there was cane everywhere.... On 5th August on the way back to Pekalongan from Sumberharjo at 11.00 we found 12 taking a set of empties in the middle of Comal village. In the afternoon, 6, 7 and 16 were busy working the road yard fulls and 1, 11 and 14 the empties. Later we were directed some 4km south of the mill where 17 was waiting for a train to be assembled.  The water buffalo did their work admirably by 16.30 but the train crew had some problems with the couplings so departure was not until 17.00.  However, the light more or less held up for the chase back which ended when 17 took the wrong line at the entrance to the mill and derailed a lori in the process. It would have been a delightful afternoon at any time in my gricing career and in 1999 nothing short of miraculous. A later visitor was told that the season would finish on August 25th, a view which was confirmed by staff at Tasik Madu.

12. CEPIRING Mill Index

The mill was closed in 1998 and is unlikely to reopen.

13. RENDENG Mill Index

All 6 steam locos here have been in store for more than 10 years except 8 which has been transferred to Gondang Baru. They were still here in 1999. Anyone looking for 900mm gauge locos should have a look at these ones, they are in excellent condition (it took Gondang Baru just a month to get 8 back in working order and it was then their best loco). The loco foreman was delighted with a couple of pictures showing 8 in action at Gondang Baru in 1998, but would have been less delighted to hear that it had now finished.

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