Java Sugar Steam 1998 - West Java

PG Rajawali II (previously PTP XIV, before that PNP XIV) operates all the mills in West Java. These can be reached easily from Cirebon which has good facilities. Alone among the nationalised sector, these mills do not charge visitors. On the other hand, all the mills are now rather run down and activity of any kind including the steam locomotives is quite limited. Most years I try to spend two or three days in the area in the hope of some interesting action but in recent years I have invariably been disappointed.

1.KADHIPATEN Mill Index

During a 5 minute visit at midday on 28th July, the mill was working normally.  1, 2, 4 and 5 were working the yard with the other two locos out of use as before.  The line to town appeared to be worked by the large Japanese diesel.  During a rather longer visit on the morning of August 10th, 1, 2 and 4 were shunting and 5 was being lit up.  The mill was not very busy but a trainload of about 8 wagons was assembled every 30 minutes or so before being manoeuvred around the yard. The diesel was not seen so presumably it was out in the fields.

I stopped by at 09.00 on 9th September.  Much to my surprise the mll was extremely busy with a long queue of trucks waiting to get in.  Staff said that milling would continue for up to a month further, much later than is normal for this mill.

2. JATIWANGI Mill Index

This mill has finally closed, the field lines are totally overgrown and I am pretty sure it will not reopen.

3. GEMPOL Mill Index

This mill will not reopen - officially it is now a sub-unit of Sindanglaut and the little cane grown in the area is delivered there..

4. SINDANGLAUT Mill Index

I visited on the afternoon of 10th August.  At 14.30 all the steam locos were present.  4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 were in steam.  All but 6 were due to go out to work trains, but we went to the fields to the east at 16.00 and saw just 4, 8, 11 and 13.  13 left the east line near the Perumka crossing at 18.15.  The working in the dark was less than spectacular because the bagasse at the mill was very damp owing to heavy rain and this and other locos were additionally burning fuel oil.

On 8th September, it was good to see Jung 0-6-0T 1 in steam along with the other eight locos as before. No loco went to the field before 16.00, so I allowed myself to be hijacked by three school girls on 'work experience'.  This being Java and not Cuba, I was shown the only local tourist attraction, a small dam/lake.  Afterwards, I had a short night session with 1 and 6.  Mill staff said that milling would last about two weeks longer.

5. TERSANA BARU Mill Index

On the afternoon of August 11th, the yard was completely full of load cane wagons, the mill had suffered a day long break down.  Production finally restarted just after 18.00.  The following locos were in steam on duty, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 18.  20 was in light steam outside the shed.  The other locos said to be still serviceable were 4, 8, 11 and 19.  After dark fireworks were moderately good. With the shortage of bagasse, the locos were also burning wood, much of which was derived from the remains of the large trees which used to line the yard.

6. KETANGGUNGAN BARAT Mill Index

A five minute visit on 28th July at 15.20 found 6, 7^B, 7^K and 10 all in steam or serviceable on the shed.  Staff expected 5 back at any time. At 07.00 on 11th August, 10 was at Luwung Gajah having worked in during the night.  5 was later found at Mayag, derailed on a point. It was rerailed by 09.30 but staff said it would not work on until 10 returned with empties and in case the line was temporarily closed for repair work.... We retired to Cirebon.  Just as well as we later discovered that Tersana Baru had no empties to despatch anyway.

I dropped by at lunchtime on 7th September.  All the locos (and the one diesel were on shed) and staff expected the season to last another two weeks. At 07.45 on 8th September, I found 5 with fulls at Mayag.  After the crew change, two diesels arrived with empties from Tersana Baru. After prolonged shuffle, it appeared that 5 would eventually go home on empties tender first. By now it was well after 09.00 and I gave up on this system for the year.

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