Tourist Trains in West Sumatra, Indonesia, 2009

Since this was written, there have been significant change in operation - see Thomas Kautzor's June 2010 report. From his experience, I would strongly recommend direct communication with the railway (do NOT rely on their website) to establish exactly what service is running before making a visit!

I have been told (5th March 2009) that tourist trains are being established on the upper part of the West Sumatran system. It will be a great ride in beautiful countryside even if it is not the most spectacular section. However, it's a long way off the beaten track and risky to make a special journey for - the steam section is very short (30 minute journey time is generous in the extreme) but through a tunnel and features quite a stiff climb - note that this is a rack locomotive but this is not a rack section. The charter prices look to be excessive to me but the regular prices are good value.

Diesel (class not known) 

Padang Panjang (Singkarak Lake) – Solok - Sawahlunto every Sunday and public holiday. Dep. Padang Panjang 07.30, arr. Sawahlunto 10.35. Dep. Sawahlunto 14.30, arr. Padang Panjang 17.38

Stops: Batu Tabal, Solok and Muara Kalaban. 

Ticket price: 

Padang Panjang - Sawahlunto: 

Executive class IDR 80,000.- / person, Economy class IDR 60,000.- / person

Solok – Sawahlunto:

Executive class IDR 50,000.- / person, Economy class IDR 30,000.- / person

Muara Kalaban – Sawahlunto

Economy class IDR 20,000.- / person

Group charter (Mon – Sat) IDR 15,000,000.- (2 coaches [50 seats], snacks, drinks, lunch, and run passes). Extra coach IDR 10,000,000.- per coach. 

Steam (E1060 ”Mak Itam”)

Sawahlunto – Muara Kalaban v.v., every Sunday and public holiday 10.00 – 12.00.

Group charter IDR 15,000,000.- (1 coach [35 seats], beverages, local delicacies, art performance).

In the case there is no group chartering the train, it will run on a regular basis on Sundays and public holidays, dep. Sawahlunto 11.00, arr. Muara Kalaban 11.30; dep. Muara Kalaban 11.50, arr. Sawahlunto 12.20. Dep. Sawahlunto 12.20, arr. Muara Kalaban 13.10; dep. Muara Kalaban 13.30, arr. Sawahlunto 14.00.

Ticket price: IDR 50,000.- (Sawahlunto – Muara Kalaban v.v.). The train will have two wooden coaches (105 seats).