The first railway in the East Indies was a line from Semarang to Tanggung on the island of Java, opened in 1867. It was built to standard (1435mm) gauge, but this proved uneconomical for further extension on account of the terrain and expected traffic, and all further development was constructed to narrow gauge, predominantly 3ft 6in (1067mm).
At their greatest extent, there were railways on the islands of Java, Sumatra, Madura and Celebes (Sulawesi). Today there remain a network of lines serving most parts of the densely populated island of Java, together with three unconnected groups of lines on Sumatra. In addition, there are a number of small industrial railways, mainly serving the sugar cane and palm oil industries. One of these, a former logging railway, retains steam locomotives and operates tourist trains.
In 2011, construction commenced on a new standard (1435mm) gauge freight railway in the East Kalimantan province of the island of Borneo. It will be 130km in length, and will connect the Muara Wahau coal mine with a new industrial complex and port facility at Bengalon.
© 2005-2011
Glyn Williams
Flag image from CIA World Factbook
