Argo Bromo Anggrek

Argo Bromo Anggrek passing Cikampek Station.
Overview
Service type	Inter-city rail
Status	Operational
Locale	Operation Area VIII Surabaya
Predecessor	Argo Bromo and Surya Jaya
First service	24 September 1997
Current operator(s)	Kereta Api Indonesia
Route
Termini	Surabaya Gambir
Stops	Bojonegoro, Semarang Tawang, Pekalongan, Cirebon
Distance travelled	725 kilometres (450 mi)
Service frequency	Twice daily
Train number(s)	1-4
Technical
Rolling stock	CC206
Operating speed	90–120 km/h (55–75 mph)
Route map to Jakarta Kota GMR Gambir to Tanah Abang to Bogor to Pasar Senen JNG Jatinegara Special Capital Region of Jakarta West Java BKS Bekasi Citarum River to Bandung CN Cirebon to Purwokerto via Ketanggungan Cipamali River West Java Central Java to Purwokerto via Slawi TG Tegal Comal River PK Pekalongan SMT Semarang Tawang planned line to Port of Tanjung Emas to Gundih and Solo Balapan NBO Ngrombo to Gundih and Solo Balapan CU Cepu Solo River Central Java East Java BJ Bojonegoro LMG Lamongan to Indro SBI Surabaya Pasar Turi to Surabaya Gubeng, to Kalimas Notes: Excluding passed and inactive stations Argo Bromo Anggrek train 5-6 calls at Bekasi

Argo Bromo Anggrek is the name of executive and luxury train jointly operated by Kereta Api Indonesia between Surabaya and Jakarta in Indonesia. The train covers 725 kilometres (450 mi) in 8.5 hours along Java's north coast, stopping at Bojonegoro, Semarang Tawang, Pekalongan, and Cirebon.^[1] It is one of the best known trains in Indonesia.

Etymology

The name Argo Bromo was derived from the volcano Bromo in East Java. The term anggrek (Indonesian: orchid) was added to differentiate the train from its predecessor. The orchid is represented in the purple-white livery of the train.

Service

Its predecessor, the JS950 Argobromo, made the Jakarta–Surabaya run in about nine hours and was inaugurated on 31 July 1995 by the President of Indonesia, Suharto, ahead of the 50th anniversary of Indonesian Independence in 17 August (hence the JS950, for "Jakarta–Surabaya in nine hours, launched to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence"^[2]). The success of the service led to the introduction of Argo Bromo Anggrek service which commenced on 24 September 1997.

The difference between Argo Bromo Anggrek and the original JS950 Argobromo train service is the usage of a set of more sophisticated passenger coach with bolsterless bogies, which are made locally by Indonesian Railway Industry (INKA). Although initially hailed as technological innovation of its day, even nicknamed as "747 on rail" by Tourism Minister Joop Ave, they were later downgraded in later years by having the disc brakes replaced with conventional brake shoes, and automatic doors replaced by manual ones due to poor maintenance, especially during and after the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and a derailment at Manggarai station in 2010.

In 2021 schedule, From Gambir station (Jakarta), this train departs at 08.00 and 20.30, and arrives at Pasar Turi station (Surabaya) at 16.42 and 05.12. From Pasar Turi, this train departs at 09.00 and 20.35, arrives at Gambir at 17.44 and 05.19.

Argo Bromo Anggrek trains are composed of eight executive class, and one Luxury class passenger coaches, pulled by GE CM20EMP (previously GE U20C) locomotives. At the time of its first inauguration, the train used a set of special coaches with "K9" bolsterless bogies. Since December 2010, coaches from the Sembrani and other standard executive class trains (K1) substitute the K9 coaches, which in that stage underwent refurbishment and renovation at INKA, Madiun, East Java. Since 2019, Argo Bromo Anggrek uses stainless-steel coaches produced by INKA which has a standardized design as other executive class coaches built in the same period in Indonesia.^[3]

Facilities

Argo Bromo Anggrek dining car (old version)

Interior of Argo Bromo Anggrek (old version)

Argo Bromo Anggrek provides entertainment facilities during the journey in the form of audio-video (Show On Rail). Passengers can also order food and drinks, which can be consumed in either the passenger's coaches or in a dedicated restaurant coach equipped with karaoke facilities. All of this is deliberately designed to give the atmosphere of a hotel.

Timetable

Argo Bromo Anggrek schedule as of 10 February 2021:

Incidents

• 2005: a dining car caught fire.
• 2009: a power car caught fire at Cikampek. The train continued on to Cirebon without the power car.
• 2 October 2010: at 3:00 am the Argo Bromo Anggrek collided with the Fajar Utama Semarang at Petarukan station. Thirty-three people were killed and 26 injured, and coaches six and nine destroyed.^[4]
• 16 December 2010: four students were hit in Dengok, Padangan, Bojonegoro, East Java. Three were killed.^[5]
• 16 November 2012: the train derailed near Bulakamba station.
• 9 March 2015: the train, pulled by locomotive 13 68, collided with a truck in Weleri, Kendal, Central Java. The driver died after the accident.^[6]

See also

• Jakarta–Surabaya line
• List of named passenger trains of Indonesia
• Rail transport in Indonesia
• Argo Wilis same destination train but different start

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Argo Bromo Anggrek Train.

• "Situs Resmi PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero)". Official website of the Indonesian Railways. Retrieved 24 September 2017.