TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Surakarta Administration will add its antique steamed-engine locomotive collection for tourism purposes. The locomotive will alternately be used with Sepur Kluthuk Jaladara, which has been in operation for the past several years.

Head of Communications and Informatics Relations Surakarta, Yosca Herman Soedrajat, said the locomotive will come from Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). “All permits have been completed,” he said Wednesday, Nov 25.

The Transportation Ministry has given a green light on the locomotive transfer. The ministry even prepared several facilities including for its reparation and transport.

The locomotive will be used to pull attract tourist carriages from Purwosari Station to Sangkrah Station, with a distance of 5.6km. The railroad, which is inline with Slamet Riyadi Street, is the main road of the city.

The government of Surakarta will be operating the locomotive alternately with Sepur Kluthuk Jaladara. “It will be like a reserve locomotive,” said Herman.

PT Kereta Api Operation Area VI Yogyakarta spokesman Gatut Stuiyatmoko say he is still awaiting instructions from central, related with the operation of the locomotive. “The locomotives’ operational will still be done by PT KA,” said Herman.

To operate the old locomotive, the department must hire personnels having special skills. Because not every engineer and technicians are capable of maintaining an antique train. “Its technology is far different from modern technology,” said Atut.

AHMAD RAFIQ