Sudut Sejarah (1)

Talking about Indonesian railways can't be separated from Dutch colonialism era which since then, Indonesian people's became aware of the need of public transportation even though at that time, the usage of those transportation is limited. Started with steam locomotives era and turn to be diesel engines era up to now.

In friday, 17 June 1864, the first Indonesian railways was introduced and in 1869 as the route of railways Kemijen-Temanggung (Central Java) was officially built by a Nederland Company, Bataviasche Tramweg Maatschappij (BTM). Three cities, Semarang-Solo-Yogyakarta in the Central Java have been connected in 1873. Meanwhile, in Batavia (Jakarta), tram railway was also introduced for Batavia people. Those trams was hauled by horses and moved above 1188 mm wide railway. 

After Indonesian independence day in 17 August 1945, Indonesian railway officers gathered in Angkatan Moeda Kereta Api (AMKA) took over the operational of Indonesian railways from Japan; which was officially declared in 28 September 1945 through the establishment of Djawatan Kereta Api Repoeblik Indonesia (DKARI). Since then, 28 September is dedicated as Indonesia railways day. DKA then turn to be Perusahaan Negara Kereta Api (PNKA), and several times changed its name, such as Perusahaan Jawatan Kereta Api (PJKA), Perusahaan Umum Kereta Api (Perumka), PT Kereta Api (PT KA) and now as PT. KAI (Kereta Api Indonesia).

Compared to the western preservation activity to their railways heritage, Indonesian preservation activity still far from that of in the western. That's why we just can enjoy the steam locomotives only in the specific area, such as in museums as displayed items and at sugar-mills in Java Island. The only 'active' museum is Ambarawa Railway Museum which's still operating the steam engine and serving the tour as part of the tourism activity.

Figure 1. BB303 (miniatured), a PJKA diesel engine era. Some of this loco are still being operated up to now as a shunting locos.

Figure 2. CC205 (miniatured) with Perumka livery. This loco is specific purpose loco, just to haul cargo cars and is being operated in Sumatra Island.

Figure 3. Indonesian Perumka era locomotive CC203 (miniatured), which is still being operated up to now.

Figure 4. Latest Indonesian locomotive CC206 (miniatured), a PT KAI diesel engine era.