History of Indonesia's Railways Traces Back to Dutch East Indies
10 October 2013 20:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Aside from adding to your knowledge, learning about the history of trains is quite fun. Erasmus Huis Jakarta, in collaboration with Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), now invites the public to join in on this fun topic by holding an exhibition entitled "The History of Indonesian Railways" held from September 24 to October 20.
A history of Indonesia’s railways is displayed in the Erasmus Huis library through various photographs. There are more thab ten pictures of bridges, old locomotive stations and train stations. There is also a replica in the form of a diorama, examples of train crews, traffic signs, train tickets, a brief history, a railroad map, and Indonesian trains from 1913 to 1925.
Visitors are also permitted to read the various books on trains on display at the exhibition.
Beginning in 1867, former Governor General Johannes van den Bosch, a Dutch general during the Dutch East Indies era, initiated the Tanam Paksa (Enforcement Planting) system for the construction of railways and trains. These trains were used to transport agriculture products such as chocolate, rubber, coffee, spices, cotton and other commodities.
DIAN YULIASTUTI