Steamy Java 2012 Blog

Mill Railway Summary

Updated 10 August 2012

Mills with steam field and yard work (also diesel field and yard work):
Olean,
Sumberharjo,

Mills with diesel field and yard work:
Asembagus,
Gending,
Jatiroto,
Kedawung,
Krebet Baru,
Panji,
*Semboro,
Wringinanom,

Mills with steam yard work (also including diesel yard work and yard and field work at Semboro only):
Kanigoro,
Olean,
Purwodadi,
Pagottan (fireless),
Pangka,
Semboro (fireless),
Sragi,
Sumberharjo
Tasik Madu,

Mills with only diesel yard work (for those with both field and yard work, see above):
Gondang Baru,
Jatibarang,
Krembung,
Madukismo,
Mojopanggung,
Pajarekan,
Pesantren,
Prajakan,
Rego Sari,
Rejo Agung,
Sudhono,
Wonolangan,

Mills with steam to chartered ( In some cases, the steam locos may be used occasionally for normal - field or yard - work in case of diesel failure.):
Asembagus,
Gondang Baru (loco used for tourist train on Sunday and public holidays)
Jatibarang (loco in need of repair),
Rejosari
Semboro (2 conventional locos can be chartered. The 2 fireless are used daily),
Sudhono,

Mills which currently only use tractors:
Cepiring
Merican,
Ngadirejo,

Mills which have removed their railways:
Kebonagung,
Tersana Baru (2010 visit)

Mills temporarily closed:
Gempolkrep (diesel yard work)

I welcome news of additional mills that can be added to this list or any corrections. 2012 or 2011 information is preferred to older information. (My thanks to Scott Jesser for correcting the entry for Pesantren.) There are a number of other mills that should be added to the list but a recent report would help to place them correctly. These include Sindanglaut, Rendang, Trangkil, Pakis Baru, Jombang, Cukir, Tulangan. This list is not exhaustive and there are some other mills which, although not on the historic steam mill list, may still have diesel work.

Note that any sugar mill visits will be better if you have permission from the relevant mill headquarters which is often located in a distant large city. Except in a few cases (possibly Krebet Baru and Regoagung), access to the mill area will probably be denied without this letter and most mills will leave you frustrated if you have to stay outside the mill area. For details of where to apply for permission see (Rob’s site). If you make contact with Indonesian enthusiasts via (yahoo group), they may be able to help you obtain permission. As this will cost them in terms of their time, phone calls or visits to the headquarters, you should be ready to compensate them. You may also find local enthusiasts willing to guide you to the mills. This should be seen as a commercial transaction where they are your paid guide. Please don’t abuse their generosity. To get shots of trains in the fields, riding on the locos or chasing with a motorcycle work best. Chasing by car can also work but requires a better knowledge of the road and rail networks and how they interconnect. Many mills also have stationary steam engines and pumps inside the mill and permission to visit a mill will often allow you to see these working as well.

You can contact me at john@linesiding.co.uk