Steam in Java 1999

As many readers of these steam pages will know, I am a regular visitor to Java, this year was my 19th visit and I led my 11th tour.

Between 1998 and 1999, the Rupiah recovered so that it is now double its rate then (but still one third its 1997 rate).  Sugar imports have been liberalised and the combined effects of both of these changes will be nothing short of disastrous for the industry and its steam locos.  If you want to see Javanese sugar steam, book your holiday here for 2000 and pray there is something left to see.

This is the 1999 report, Click here for a brief summary of the main news - it could have been even worse and probably will be next year, other reports are available:

Click here for the Mill Index or Mill Map or choose the area you want:

The mills are arranged from West to East, North Coast then South Coast with the Private Mills at the end. Click on the mill in the Index below (mills with no link have not used steam in recent years, but may have locos stored on site):

The numbers are those used in the reports.

The Main News in Brief Contents

• Sragi 1 and Pakis Baru 2 were Java's first active sugar centenarians, but I doubt there will be very many more.
• Kadhipaten in West Java finished milling on July 16th, one of the shortest seasons anywhere in Java, ever.
• Sindanglaut, Tersana Baru and Ketanggungan Barat were working as before but finished by mid-August.
• Jatibarang, Pangka, Sumberharjo and Sragi's operations appeared to be similar to 1998, but the seasons were cut short in August.
• Gondang Baru steam was out of use but Tasik Madu was busy from late June into August, but expected to finish at the end of the month.
• Trangkil and Pakis Baru were working a full normal steam service, but Pakis Baru's season was cut short finishing on August 11th, Trangkil finishing at the end of August.
• Madiun Mills started milling at the same level as in 1998, but by mid-August were in a very run down state with virtually no cane on offer and only Purwodadi was likely to be milling in September.
• Mojopanggung, Ngadirejo, Merican, Pesantren Baru and Gempolkerep were working near normally.
• Kebonagung was working normally.
• Olean and Wringinanom were working normally, but De Maas had no regular steam and Asembagus just one working loco. There was no steam at Semboro apart from the firelesses.
• No closures have been announced for next year, possibly because of uncertainties about the changes in Government due before the end of this year. However, such is the surplus capacity that as many as a third of the mills could be closed if the political will exists....

Perumka News Contents

I booked no less than 4 specials at Ambarawa on August 6th (B2503)/7th(E1060) and 28th(E1060)/29th(B2502) 1999. All went well and the railway staff gave us plenty of run pasts as usual.

Ambarawa had 12 specials in July 1999 which makes it worth dropping by if you are in the area.

Cepu Forest Railway Contents

Regular logging trains have now ceased altogether and much of the system has been lifted. The only way to see this unique operation is to organise your own special logging trains which I did on August 11th and August 25th 1999. The little DuCroo and Brauns 0-6-0T made it all the way to the forest along with the normal Berliner 0-10-0T on both days.

Check out the 2002 Cepu pictures.