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Cab-Riding
From Bandung to Banjar
At around April 2003, my friend invited me to join on a cab ride from Bandung to Banjar, a small town near the border of West and Central Java in Indonesia.
We started the trip at 7.30 am by riding a CC203 locomotive which worked on Lodaya train to Surakarta. Since this was my first trip on a locomotive, so I expected this to be a very special one. In fact, the loco that we rode was CC20304, the first CC203 that break 120 km/h speed record.
The journey itself might be special, but it wasn't started in a special way!
Once the train departed, it was like being in a taxi who travelled on rough road. It was bumpy! But the rest of the journey was incredible. We could see whatever in front of the train. And the perspective was rather different than if you were a passenger. Eventhough your journey might be comfortable and uneventful, being on the driving cab could be like an adrenaline rush. Seeing a car, motorbike, person or even wandering cattle passing the rail while the train was just metres away was a scary moment!
Also, not to mention the vibaration in the cab was much more severe than in the passenger car. And there were no seat availabel for the 'passengers' in the cab.
But however, I rate my first ever cab riding as impressive and I was glad that I could made it safely.
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The view of a downhill horse shoe curve near Leles in West Java. If the Bandung-bound train arrived from East, this uphill curve is a mark that the train have just arrived at Parahyangan Plateau. After that, the railway line will goes up into the mountain. This view is taken from the reverse side. |
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Clear signal was given for our train, somewhere in the mountain. Mechanical signal, which have been placed since the days of Dutch colonization, could be found in the mainline in the mountain on upper West Java. |
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My friend took this photo while I was posing on the driver's side window. This photo was taken in Cipendeuy, where all train must stop for brake and wheel checking, before they negotiate a steep downhill track. The rule was made compulsory, regardless the the kind of train, after an accident in which a train crashed into the gorge in late 1990s, when its brake failed after it passed this station. Unfortunately, Cipendeuy is also known for its child beggars which beg the train passengers (especially the first class train) to give them money. |
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This rear view shot was made when the train was negotiating a left hand curve in the mountain. |
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After we arrived in Banjar, I made this photoshot as a souvenir. I was pleased with the journey, and we all were glad that we could made this rather risky journey safely. |
