Kendati acara akan dimulai sore hari, tetapi banyak anggota yang telah datang dari pagi hari untuk hunting terlebih dahulu. Rombongan dari Jakarta berangkat dengan menggunakan KA 24L (dari GMR berangkat pukul 11.30 WIB) dan BLB di Stasiun Sasaksaat. Sore hari satu persatu para peserta buka bersama berdatangan ke Stasiun Sasaksaat, sambil nunggu waktu berbuka, sebagian peserta menuju jembatan untuk hunting beberapa KA yang akan melintas. Setelah KA 26L lewat, para peserta kembali menuju stasiun untuk siap-siap berbuka puasa.

Akhirnya waktu berbukapun tiba, para peserta buka bersama di emplasemen jalur 1. Setelah berbuka, sebagian peserta menuju terowongan Sasaksaat dan sebagian lagi memilih pulang ke tempatnya masing-masing.

Dengan mengucapkan syukur ke hadirat Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, IRPS telah dapat menyelenggarakan Acara Peringatan Sewindu IRPS pada tanggal 26 Juni 2010 bertempat di Auditorium PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), Bandung. Acara yang dikemas dalam bentuk Sarasehan dan Pameran Pecinta Kereta Api ini mendapat dukungan penuh dari Direksi dan manajemen PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) sebagai mitra IRPS.

Acara Peringatan ini berlangsung lancar dan meriah, dengan kehadiran undangan dari sahabat-sahabat IRPS yang merupakan insan pecinta kereta api, pecinta sejarah dan insan transportasi, seperti PT KAI, MASKA, IRW-LIPI, MTI, Majalah KA, KRL Mania, Komuter, Komunitas Historia Indonesia, Museum Transportasi Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Sekolah Tinggi Manajemen Transpor Trisakti, Politeknik Bandung, Unika Sugijapranata, Barito Guide-Ziarah Spoor, Ikatan Masinis Indonesia, Jurnal Komunitas Tnol, serta undangan lainnya termasuk Rekan-Rekan Pecinta Kereta Api dari Bandung. Acara ini sekaligus menjadi forum silaturahmi dan diskusi antar pecinta kereta api.

Untuk menambah meriah dan semaraknya acara, Band Locomotive Dipo Induk Bandung di bawah koordinasi Rekan Agus Sopandi (KUPT Awak KA Daop II Bandung), turut serta sebagai pengisi acara hiburan.

Acara dimulai dengan sambutan-sambutan dari Ketua IRPS dan Direksi PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero). Rekan Yos Asmat Saputra dari Humasda I Jakarta turut berpartisipasi aktif di acara ini sebagai Pembawa Acara (MC).

Acara dilanjutkan dengan sarasehan yang dimoderatori oleh Rekan Nurcahyo Mukardi, Wakil Ketua IRPS dan diisi dengan materi-materi yang menarik dari Rekan Tjahjono Rahardjo, anggota IRPS yang memberikan materi mengenai  “Menelusuri Jejak Awal Perkeretaapian Indonesia”. Selanjutnya Bapak Djoko Setijowarno dari Masyarakat Transportasi Indonesia (MTI) memberikan paparan mengenai “Potensi Revitalisasi Jalur-jalur KA Non-Aktif”.

Acara diselingi dengan seremonial Peringatan Sewindu IRPS, yang dimulai dengan Pembacaan Doa, pemotongan tumpeng ulang tahun, penyerahan cinderamata dan dilanjut-kan dengan santap siang bersama.

Sarasehan dilanjutkan dengan bahasan Forum Diskusi Layanan Jasa Angkutan Kereta Api antara pecinta kereta api dengan Direktorat Komersial PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero),  yang dalam hal ini diwakili oleh Bapak Husein Nurrony (VP Pemasaran Angkutan Penumpang). Penyajian materi sarasehan diakhiri dengan materi Upaya Pemberdayaan Aset Pusaka Kereta Api Indonesia yang dipaparkan oleh EVP Pusat Pelestarian Benda dan Bangunan, Ibu Ella Ubaidi. Acara Sarasehan diakhiri dengan kesimpulan dari Moderator serta pemberian cinderamata kepada para penyaji materi sarasehan serta foto bersama para undangan.

Untuk menyemarakkan Peringatan Sewindu IRPS ini, IRPS juga mengadakan acara Pameran Pecinta Kereta Api, dengan menyajikan pameran foto, pemutaran film dokumenter, serta sudut baca pustaka dan gerai cenderamata. Pengurus IRPS menyampaikan ucapan terima kasih kepada berbagai pihak yang telah mendukung terselenggarannya acara Peringatan Sewindu IRPS ini, terutama kepada Direksi dan Staf PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero). Mudah-mudahan acara ini walaupun sederhana dapat bermakna dan memberikan  manfaat bagi perkeretaapian Indonesia.

Peserta yang mengikuti perjalanan ini berjumlah sekitar 50an orang baik anggota IRPS sendiri, umum dan Railfan dari berbagai kota. Pukul 16.52 WIB KA Parahyangan diberangkatkan dari jalur 1 Stasiun Gambir. Acarapun langsung digelar. Acara yang dipandu oleh Rekan Pekik G. diawali dengan paparan sejarah KA Parahyangan yang disampaikan oleh rekan Nurcahyo. Setelah hampir 20 menit, acara dilanjutkan dengan saling berbagi cerita mengenai KA Parahyangan oleh mereka yang biasa menggunakan layanannya. Para penumpang satu per satu menceritakan pahit manisnya selama menggunakan jasa KA Parahyangan.

Bp. Trisilo Hartono (anggota IRPS BD), juga menceritakan pengalaman selama menggunakan KA Parahyangan, bahkan beliau sempat membacakan puisi berjudul ‘Keretaku Parahyangan’. Selain membacakan puisi, dia mengalungkan karcis yang dilaminating di atas kertas putih bertuliskan ’selamat tinggal keretaku Parahyangan. Semoga dalam tugasmu 39 tahun jadi amal baik’.

Instruktur masinis Agus Sopandi juga mengatakan banyak kenangan yang tidak bisa diungkapkan selama dia mengemudikan KA Parahyangan. “Mudah-mudahan membawa perubahan yang lebih baik,” jelas Agus yang jadi masinis sejak tahun 1996 hingga 2007. Dan sejak tahun 2007 dia menjadi instruktur masinis. Setelah acara sambungrasa dan berbagi cerita, acara dilanjutkan dengan makan bersama Nasi Goreng dan nyanyi bersama sampai KA Parahyangan mengakhiri perjalanannya di Stasiun bandung.

Acara pertama adalah nyuci bersama lok BB30141. Acara ini dimulai pukul 09.00 WIB. Pukul 10.12 WIB acara cuci lok selesai, lok dilangsir ke jalur 3 dimana di tempat tersebut acara Peringatan ke-45 tahun lok BB301 akan dilaksanakan.

Sambil menunggu waktu Sholat Jum’at, rekan-rekan bahu membahu mempersiapkan peralatan peringatan, ada yang mendekor lok BB301 dengan pita-pita, rekan junior angkut-angkut kursi dan meja di bantu sama rekan railfan dari Jakarta, ada juga yang pasang foto-foto BB301 di papan tulis.

Setelah melaksanakan Sholat Jum’at, acara beres-beres dilanjutkan dan nasi tumpeng ternyata sudah datang di bawa oleh Sdr. Bagus Widyanto. Pukul 13.30 WIB acara Peringatan ke-45 tahun lok BB301 dimulai, acara ini di pandu oleh Bpk. Nurcahyo (wakil ketua IRPS Pusat). Acara pertama di isi dengan sambutan-sambutan yang dimulai dari sambutan dari Ketua IRPS Pusat Bp. Aditya Dwi Laksana, seterusnya sambutan dari Kasisar Daop II Agus Setiyono dan terakhir dari Wakadaop II Bp. Bidjak Filsadjati. Acara selanjutnya adalah Pemaparan sejarah singkat mengenai lok BB301 yang disampaikan oleh Sdr. Bagus Widyanto.

Setelah Pemaparan sejarah lok BB301, acara selanjutnya yakni pengguntingan pita yang disusul dengan dihidupkannya lok BB30141 oleh Wakadaop II dan setelah itu pembacaan Doa oleh KR. ADM bp. Juhara. Setelah selesai, sebagai acara penutupan ialah pemotongan tumpeng dan makan bersama dengan seluruh kru dipo. Tepat pukul 15.00 WIB acara puncak Peringatan ke-45 tahun lok BB301 selesai.

Masih bagian dari Peringatan ke-45 tahun lok BB301, IRPS BD juga mengadakan pameran foto bertempat di ruang tunggu Stasiun Bandung sebelah Utara. seluruh rekan-rekan IRPS BD menuju stasiun untuk mempersiapkan pameran foto dan memasang foto-foto sumbangan dari rekan-rekan IRPS lainnya. Pukul 20.00 WIB properti pameran selesai. Pameran tersebut akan berlangsung selama 4 hari dari Sabtu hingga Selasa. Selama pameran berlangsung, banyak para penumpang yang melihat-lihat pameran foto tersebut. Akhirnya hari Selasa pukul 20.00 WIB.

The roadshows had been held in six major railway stations in Java:
July 10-12: Gambir, Jakarta
July 17-19: Cirebon
July 24-26: Semarang Tawang
July 31-August 2: Surabaya Gubeng
August 7-9: Yogyakarta
August 14-16: Bandung

Several events in the roadshows:
1. Photo Exhibit    
- Trains Art Scenic    
- Heritage and Tourism    
- Product, Infrastructure and Technology Development    
- Trains and Human Beings
2. Documentary Films Show  
 - Retro Films    
- Railway Trips Exploration   
- New Products
3. Reading Corner   
- Books on Introduction and Illustrations of Trains Elements    
- Books on Rail Transport History and Heritage   
- Other Media (magazines etc)
4. Trains Love Campaign
5. Railway Tour Promotion
6. Rail Transport History Education 

 It had been 24 years since the last train sped majestically on the line. The line, which was a branch line of Bandung-Yogyakarta main line, was an outstanding work of engineering.

 There were four tunnels along the line, being the shortest was 128 metre and the longest was 1,208 meter (Wilhelmina tunnel, also the longest railway bridge in Indonesia), and two long, high steel bridges. One of the bridges, Ciputrapingan, was located next to a beach of Indian Ocean.

The event was an extraordinary one. The team had to go through the forest, hills, paddy fields, farms and beaches when tracing the line. It was very tiresome, but all were relieved by the beautiful scenery along the line. The team also enjoyed the scenery of Batukaras beach, where one could surf and swim or just roast some fresh fish, and Cukang Taneuh, which was also known as Grand Canyon.

 At 2 PM IRPS team, i.e Untung R, Deddy Herlambang, Indra Krishnamurti, Ario Wibisono, Totok Purwo, Nurcahyo and Pura Krisnamurti, met Agus Rahardjo (Vice President/VP Building) dan Kusdaryanto (Vice President/VP Non-building). Aditya DL, as Chairman of IRPS, introduced IRPS’ organization, visions and missions, and resources that got a positive response from both VPs. Both VPs asked for full assistance from IRPS because they were still learning about preservation and heritage. The team also presented in detail about objects to be preserved and handed over books and photos—collected by IRPS members—about the objects to the VPs. The VPs were impressed by the presentation. The books and photos would be used as temporary guides in a preservation project in PT KA.

At 3.15 PM the team met Main Director of PT KA, Jonan and Director of General Expansion of PT KA, Joko Margono. Joko proposed a website about objects to be preserved and asked for schedules for next meetings. On the next meeting, both parties had to agree about definition and focuses on the preservation project so that there would be no miscommunication and misinterpretation in the future. As proposed by IRPS, the preservation objecs were categorized into five groups, i.e buildings, inactive railway lines, rolling stocks, railway equipments (such as signals, telecommunication systems, switches and water cranes) and documented knowledge and experiences. As a follow up, PT KA would select several buildings to be railway museums. The team also presented about the discovery of NIS’ Samarang Station—which would change the beginning of railway history in Indonesia; the discovery of a steam locomotive numbered C29 02 in Perhutani Cepu, Central Java; the tracking of inactive Banjar-Cijulang line, and the survey ad inventory of railway equipments on inactive lines. The discussion ended at 4:45 PM.

The team then continued the discussion in Bandung Station. Totok Purwo said that the next preservation proposal should be more detailed. The details included what object needed to be preserved, where the objects were, why the objects needed to be preserved, when the objects would be preserved, who would do the preservation projects, how the objects preserved and how much the estimated cost of the preservation was. The data then would be used to create a financial work plan for 2009. Therefore, IRPS should create 3 teams, i.e building preservation team, non-building preservation team and website team.

It should be emphasized that PT KA did not offer or promise to give payment or salary for the work done by IRPS. It was a voluntary project. IRPS had sent some proposals to PT KA so that PT KA would concern about preserving their assets. PT KA had started to fulfill their promises by establishing Indonesian Railway Preservation and Heritage Center. Now IRPS had to show its commitmens.

1. The journey from Gambir station to Sasaksaat station
started at 08:00 participants began to arrive and gather in hall south the Gambir. station apparently Mr Riawan Widarsono (the representative coordinator IRPS Jakarta) as the busy agenda co-coordinator with his paper recorded and registered repeated participants who will depart from the station gambir and the Jatinegara station by the Parahyangan train (the TRAIN no 56). apparently also Mr. Aditya Dwi Laksana (the chairman of IRPS) took part in coordinating with the colleague IRPS Bandung because of being reported that Chief of Public Relationship, Bandung Operational area (PT Kereta Api/Indonesian State Railway) will join along in this activity. The participants began to be moving to the 3rd floor of the Gambir station, and in line 1 has been available the train no 56 that will depart at 08:30 AM. the participants in the tour began to enter the carriage (the business class/K2) the number 4, was not supposed-idea in K2-4 this, we were startled with Sir’s appearance of Mr. Untung Rustandi, evidently he has taken this train ince from the Jatinegara station. The carriage K2-4 this has been similar to ‘IRPS special train set’, because almost half of the carriage capacity was filled up by the member IRPS and the family/relatives/the colleague. for the trip, K2-4 this was made use of for the site te you missed, discussions and the meeting especially IRPS preparations to support the PTD agenda (Plesiran the Time Previously) the Sahabat Museum this coming July 13 and the plan to make the closing agenda of the activity paint the vapor locomotive in TMII.The train trip no 56 relatively smooth. The train no 56 were not intersecting by the other train, only met by the train that was other in the dual route of train. Total participants in the tour from IRPS Jakarta were 45 people.

2. The Sasaksaat activity
At 11:00 hour, the train no 56 did BLB (stopped extraordinary) official in the station sasaksaat in line 1. The train no 56 in arrived in sasaksaat by being welcomed warm by IRPS Bandung (Mr. Intrias H, Mr. Nurcahyo (the vice-chairman of IRPS)), Mr. Bagus W, Mr. Ario Wibisono, Mr. Asep S (the secretary of IRPS Bandung), Muhammad Rizky, Adrianus Ramon, Badia, etc). The total participant gathered in sasaksaat became 55 people. the Sasaksaat station that his days were very quiet, but at that time became busy with the IRPS participant. The train only stopped 5 minutes in sasaksaat, the train no 56 departed again headed Bandung. After arriving, the committee began cleaned hall the station sasaksaat, spread out the mat and prepared sound system. a few moments later the snack (gorengan warm) was presented and participants began to be gathered and the ‘lesehan’ restaurant to begin the ceremonial agenda the opening of the tour activity sasaksaat that also was attended by Mr. Ifran represented the Sasaksaat station staff.

The committee received the news from Mr. Pura (IRPS Bandung coordinator) reported that Chief of Public Relationship, Bandung Operational area (PT Kereta Api/Indonesian State Railway) failed attended this activity because of having the Lodaya train plummeted at Bumi Waluya. The ceremonial agenda was guided (MC) by Mr. Artanto Rizky Cahyono (the secretary of IRPS Jakarta), was preceded with the introduction to the organization of the preservation and the rail fans to the station staff of Sasaksaat station. the agenda was followed by the Mr. Riawan Widarsono’s welcome speech (the representative coordinator of IRPS Jakarta) at the same time the tour coordinator sasaksaat speech, Mr. Andreas Adiana (IRPS senior member, the year combined 2002) and the speech of Mr. Irfan (the station sasaksaat). Also, MC introduced IRPS senior member (the year combined 2002) that was present in part: Mr. Andreas Adiana, Mr. Untung Rustandi, Mr. Risman H, Mr. Aditya Hatmawan and Mr. Bagus W (IRPS Bandung).

The agenda was followed by the explanation concerning the history of the station and the train passage around Sasaksaat by Mr. Nurcahyo (the  vice-chairman of IRPS) and was continued by the explanation concerning the best spot that was interesting for train photography around the Sasaksaat station by Mr. Bagus Widyanto (IRPS Bandung) as well as information of the railway schedule that will pass by in sasaksaat. In the opportunity this time was handed over souvenir the photograph of Mr. Dwi Raharjo creation that depicted the Argo Gede Train was leaving the Sasaksaat tunnel and the beauty of the nature around the Sasaksaat tunnel, the photograph was handed over by Mr. Riawan Widarsono (the representative coordinator of IRPS Jakarta) to Mr. Irfan.

was followed by the surrender of help of the torch implement for JPJ (the supervisor, bridge and the tunnel of the rails road) the Sasaksaat station, the surrender of this implement was carried out by Mr. Nurcahyo (the vice-chairman IRPS) to Mr. Irfan. The agenda was closed byprayer reading by Mr. Untung Rustandi so that the tour activity sasaksaat this successfully. in the opportunity this time also was read out by the prayer to the deceased Mr. Omar Berto (the former Managing Director of the PT. KAI) and the safety prayer to passengers and the crew member the Lodaya train that experienced the accident. The agenda was followed with lunch together. Be finished had lunch, participants were divided into two groups, the first group headed to the side of the Cikubang bridge (guided by Mr. Bagus W and Mr. Ario W) and the second group headed to the side of the Sasaksaat tunnel (guided by Mr. Dwi Raharjo and Mr. Saleh Purwanto (the treasurer IRPS headquarter)), afterwards respectively the changing-places group mutually.

3. Back to Jakarta/BANDUNG
The party of IRPS Jakarta returned to Jakarta by the Argo Gede train (the TRAIN no 21) at 15:00 from the Sasaksaat  station totally 5 people and the rest of them by the TRAIN no 61 at 17:40 from the Sasaksaat station, exact struck 17:40, the Parahyangan train (the TRAIN no 61) arrived in the Sasaksaat station from Bandung to bring the party of IRPS Jakarta returned to Jakarta, the party in free by Mr. Nurcahyo and the colleague IRPS Bandung.

1. The agenda opening, in this case Aryo represented IRPS Bandung, from the side of PT KA (Indonesian State Railway) was represented by Mr Bachtiar. This agenda was followed by the engineer and crew of Bandung depot.

2. The reduction in the cake that was done by Aryo.

3. The surrender of the cake from IRPS to delegation from PT KA (Mr Bachtiar). Afterwards IRPS Bandung handed over the gift took the form of the illustrated photograph of Bandung depot to PT KA.
4. The agenda was followed by lunch together and at the same time friendly.

5. In this friendly agenda of the engineers and crew of Bandung depot could change the experience with a person railfan that also was professional as an engineer from the Australian country (Mr.David). Could be seen that Bagus Widyanto as the translator.

The participants were divided into 4 groups, respectively the group was led by 3-4 people. For the group 1 as guide Bagus and Tantra as well as was helped by one of the Bandung Trails.The group 2 as guide Krisnaharel, Asep and M. Rizky as well as was helped by one of the Bandung Trails. The group 3 as guide Aryo, Sampurno and Krisanto as well as was helped one of the Bandung Trails. The group 4 as guide Pura and Adrianus as well as was helped one of the Bandung Trails. Whereas Tommy and Vian just joined in the Bandung station.

After the distribution of the group, then the agenda was begun around 07:15 AM dengat start in the head office of Indonesian State Railway (PT KA). We from IRPS explained the history of the head office from beginning to be built until this while orbiting the building in fact entered his office the managing director. After being felt was enough, the group for the sake of the group began to leave the head office headed viaduct, Stasiun Timur street and finally entered the Bandung station.

After resting for a moment in the executive’s waiting room while drinking the refreshing drink, we continued the travelling agenda of the Bandung station while explaining the history of the station, his buildings and did not forget also visited the Dipo. At 09:20 AM we returned to the executive’s waiting room, while being waiting for Diesel Multiple Unit cars (KRD) that will bring us to Padalarang, we took the photograph together in front of the executive’s waiting room.

At 10:00 AM, Diesel Multiple Unit cars (KRD) arrived and entered the route 2 were pulled by CC201 97 locomotive. After the last carriage in sterilized by police and Special Railway Police, then the participants were permitted to rise in the train. While our trip also explained one by one the station that was passed along with the history of the construction first.

At 11:10 AM, Diesel Multiple Unit cars (KRD) arrived in the Padalarang station. After being discussed with the committee from Bandung Trails, then was severed trekking only will be carried out to the branch route between the route to Cianjur and Purwakarta. Before the commencement trekking we also appealed to participants who did not take part in being invited to rest in the Padalarang station, whereas participants who took part in being appealed to follow the instruction from each one guide because the route that will be passed was the route that still was active.

Because most participants were the women (single, mothers and old ladies), then for the trip of many tired participants and again came back to the Padalarang station. After participants who remained arrived the branch route, Mr. Mateta (chief of Public Relationship-Bandung Operational Area) explained the short history about the two routes. At 12:15 PM, we returned to the Padalarang station to rest and have lunch.

Because of many tired participants, then was decided the agenda was to the Cimahi station cancelled and we at once returned to the Bandung station. At 13:10 PM, Diesel Multiple Unit cars (KRD) came to be attracted by CC203 10, we occupied the carriage behind that was sterilized. In the trip back to the Bandung station, many participants who joked, chatted and even fell asleep.

At 14:09 PM, the party arrived in the Bandung station. After gathering in front of the executive’s waiting room, the agenda was followed by the explanation concerning the Indonesian State Railway (PT KA) history (by chief of Public Relationship-Bandung Operational Area), the IRPS community (by Aryo) and the Community Bandung Trails (by Amor). The agenda was finished exact at 15:00 PM.

The conclusion: While the agenda took place, many participants felt surprised because of the existence of the lover’s community of the train. They were also amazed because of being memorised by us about the railway and the railway schedule that would through. Because of having several participants from the Community Bandung Trails that liked the train also, they wanted to gather with IRPS (7 people). Because 4 living people in Jakarta, were suggested by us they to contact IRPS Jakarta, whereas 3 people of his plan will on Saturday enter IRPS and were gathered in Bandung depot. His plan on Saturday had 6 people that will combine with IRPS Bandung.

Was like this the trip report ride Diesel Multiple Unit cars (KRD) with the community of Trails Bandung had the theme the “History of Indonesian Railway at Bandung Area”, we IRPS Bandung said thank you that as much as possible to Krisanto, Sampurno and Adrianus Ramon togethered with the partner who often helped so as this agenda could run smoothly and the success. We were waiting for you in the following agenda, that is trekking the route of Ciwidey-Bandung or ride the Cianjuran train set that will be planned by us along with chief of Public Relationship-Bandung Operational Area.

IRPS member near ex Cikajang station

ex Cisurupan station

ex Bayongbong station

ex Cioyod station

ex Kamojang station

ex Cireungit station

ex Garut station

ex Wanaraja station

ex Pasir Jengkol station

ex pangandaran station

The team gathered in a hotel in Pangandaran on December 30. At 07.05 a.m. (GMT+7) they departed to Cijulang. They arrived at the former Cijulang Station 53 minutes later. The building was not in a good condition. Inside the building were tables and an iron safe deposit box  to hold money and papers. The local villagers stored timbers in the station. The station emplacement had become a volleyball field, whereas steel rails and sleepers were relatively intact. There was also a locomotive depot. The team talked to a local villager. She said the rails and the sleepers were relatively intact because the villagers prevented outsiders from taking them. The reason was the villagers would face the consequences if PT Kereta Api’s assets were missing. The team also found out that the three rail tracks on the station emplacement were directed to a big building near a football field. The team concluded the switches were located inside the big building.

IRPS members in ex pangandaran station
from left: Intrias, Pura, Asep, Nurcahyo, Krisnaharel and his wife, Hendra, M. Rizky

At 08.44 the team returned to Pangandaran while tracing the tracks. Between Cijulang-Kondang Jajar, the tracks were parallel to the road. The team also found a rail which had been cut by irresponsible person(s). On a former rail bridge in Cijaluhilir, rails and sleepers were still intact, whereas all rail spikes had already gone. The team continued walking to former Parigi Station. Only some doors and wall remained. There were also some rail parts, iron sleepers, and a switch. The sleepers were dated 1930.

The team arrived at former Cibenda Station at 09.32. The remains of the station were a lump of dirt and a single track, on which a goat cage stood. The rail was manufactured by Krupp and dated 1887. At 09.56 the team arrived at former railway bridge in Cikembulan. Similar to the railway bridge at Cijaluhilir, all rail spikes had already gone.

At former Pangandaran Station, the team saw cracks on the wall of the station, probably due to the previous earthquake(s). The emplacement and the railway lines had been transformed into cassava and banana fields. The building was used to store wooden boards. Signboards of train dispatcher and station master were still intact. Curiosity arose due to the use of 1972 perfected-writing-system instead of Soewandi’s writing system on the signboards .

Wilhelmina tunnel

At 12.22 the team arrived at a former small rail bridge in Ciputrapinggan. Only the frame of the bridge remained. Rails and sleepers on the bridge had vanished. 15 minutes later the team arrived at big rail bridge in Ciputrapinggan which was near the coast. The railroad to the bridge had been converted into a small river and fish ponds.

The team arrived at a tunnel — the longest in Indonesia (being 1,216 meters) — named by local villagers as Terowongan Sumber, yet the Dutch named it Queen Wilhelmina tunnel. There were no trace of rails, sleepers, Sumber Station, etc. Actually, there was a station named Sumber Station by the local villagers and two rail tracks. There was a water stagnation due to the leaks on the wall of the tunnel.

The Bengkok tunnel (the then Juliana tunnel) was about 300 meters from the previous tunnel. It was named Bengkok for it was not a straight tunnel, but a curved one. It was a 10-minute walk from Sumber tunnel to this tunnel. The team discussed the possibility of the railway line between Sumber and Bengkok was built on a high ground. This was due to the steep slopes on both sides of the line.

ex kalipucang station

The team continued the journey to Cikacepit railway bridge. Before reaching the destination, they stopped at a food kiosk. The bridge could be seen from distance. At the same location, one could see the Citanduy River, Cimeneng River, Cibeureum river, Cikonde River, and some factories. After passing the 100-meters-long Warungbungur/Cikacepit tunnel (the then Prins Hendrik tunnel), the team finally arrived as Cikacepit bridge — a 1,250-meters-long and 1.7-meters-wide railway bridge. It was 100 meters above the ground and no guardrails for people who walked on the bridge.

The team continued the tour to former Kalipucang Station. The station was bigger than former Pangandaran Station. Unfortunately some parts of the building had fallen down, especially the roof due to aging wooden vertical supports. In 2000 there was a CR passenger car, now all that remained of it was a broken door. A man came to greet the team. His name was Dulbasir. He was born in Kebumen and a former employee of Perusahaan Jawatan Kereta Api. He worked at the railroad and bridge section between Banjar and Cijulang. He said there were many trains, up to five trainsets, passed Banjar-Cijulang. Diesel-hydraulic locomotives used to serve on the line. Unfortunately he forgot the class of the locomotives. The team guessed the locomotives were of the class D300 and BB300.

The team left the Kalipucang Station at 05.11 p.m. At this point, the team split into two. Asep, Pura, and Intrias went to former Banjarsari Station, whereas the others went directly to Banjar Station. All rails and sleepers had been taken by Perusahaan Umum Kereta Api around the year 2000. Actually there was a plan to reopen the Banjar-Pangandaran-Cijulang line. Unfortunately, the 1997 (1998?) monetary crisis struck Indonesia when the project reached Banjarsari. Therefore, the project was abandoned.

ex banjarsari station

All members of the team gathered in Banjar Station at 7.50 p.m. They returned to Bandung, except Intrias who went to Majenang. The team arrived back in Bandung at 01.00 a.m. the next day.

 The participants and guests gathered at Bandung Station, West Java, meanwhile several IRPS members were on standby at several stations along the Bandung-Cicalengka line, such as Cikudapateuh, Cimekar, Rancaekek and Gedebage. At 8 AM a group of freedom fighter veterans marched in the station, singing Halo-halo Bandung. Then a special train, with the participants and the veterans onboard, departed at 9 AM. Acting as a train dispatcher was Vice Governor of West Java. Students ran along the slowly departing train and shouted “Merdeka! (Freedom!)”

 At Gedebage Station, the train passengers were greeted by elementary school students singing struggle songs. Colonel (Ret) H Sani Lupias Abdurrahman, stepped out of the train and handed over a sharpened bamboo stick to a students’ representative. It also happened in Cimekar, Rancaekek and Haurpugur stations.

 At Cicalengka Station, the passengers were greeted by struggle songs sung by the Choir of PT KA Daerah Operasi (Operation Region) II. Several heroic speeches were addressed. Then all participants had lunch. The lunch was served in woven bambu boxes (besek) by Reska.

 Then all passengers boarded the train and it departed Platform 1 of Cicalengka Station at 1 PM in the midst of people shouting “Merdeka!”. In the passenger cars, the veterans proudly sung struggle songs all the way to Bandung. When the train arrived at Bandung Station, the passengers were greeted by some people playing gamelan.

In July 2, 2007, IRPS Bandung members organized a celebration of the 5th anniversary of IRPS. IRPS has performed a activity to mess together with the officers of Bandung locomotive depot. Event of started with greeting from Nurcahyo (IRPS Bandung coordinator), then is continued greeting from Pandi Ismail and giving the IRPS souvenirs and the Indonesian Railway photographs to Pandi Ismail. Event of continued with delivery of Tart cake from IRPS to the officers of Bandung locomotive depot and continued with informal meeting.

Nurchayo (left) gave greeting to the participants

Nurchayo give the IRPS souvenirs and the Indonesian Railway photographs to Pandi Ismail

the officers of Bandung locomotive sees the Indonesian Railway photographs from IRPS members

Nurcahyo and birthday cake

from left: Bagus Widyanto, Asep Suherman, Intrias Herlistiarto, Tomi, Encep (PT. Kereta Api), Nurcahyo MS, Pandi Ismail (PT Kereta Api), Pura Krisnamurti and Sudayat.

Ario, Pura and Bagus Widyanto sees the old CR car at Semarang Poncol

Kaligung Bisnis trains set (Semarang Poncol – Tegal)

ex-SCS (Semarang-Chirebon Stroomtram maatschppij, a private company of Dutch East Indies Railway) building at Tegal city

from left: Bagus Widyanto, Pura, Asep, Muhammad Rizky TH and Ario

D301 28 locomotive at Cirebon station with original cream and green livery, which was the livery of Djawatan Kereta Api (DKA)

IRPS members and CC200 15 locomotive at Cirebon locomotive depot

rom left: Intrias Herlistiarto, Asep Suherman, Ario Wibisono, Muhammad Rizky TH, Nugroho Wahyu Utomo, Bagus Widyanto and Rudy Linggadiharja.