Krebet Baru 2012: Day 2

In 2012, FarRail organised a Java tour that included diesel mill visits at the start of the tour. I assisted Bernd Seiler with arrangements and was especially involved in the diesel mill selection. Although Bernd’s very steam orientated German regulars didn’t go for the diesel mill part, I enjoyed it and in recent years have run my own Linesiding tours to Java focussing on mills with diesel field work. Krebet Baru was an excellent system for diesel field work although we discovered it only just in time. The long run to the fields included a section across a flat plateau, a steep descent to the out-station at Gondanglegi and then various lines to the fields. The return run with the full trains faced a steep climb back up to the plateau which could involve banking or double-heading. The active diesels were all Diema or Shoema built but in the sheds were dumped examples of Motor Rail Simplex locos. A year after our visit, the field lines were cut back cutting out the steep climb and a year later it was mill yard work only. I haven’t been back since but it wouldn’t be very interesting after our 2012 visit. On the second and final day of the group visit, we went to the mill to see a bit of yard work (including cable haulage) and the loco depot before hunting down a train beyond Gondanglegi coming in from the fields. We then watched several trains in convoy on the bank in the rain and this led a certain extra quality to the filming. Definitely my favourite bit of footage from the visit. The final shots are where the rail and road go their separate ways about 2km from the mill.