ESS 3200 Locomotive

The ESS 3200 electric locomotive (model number Werkspoor-Heemaf 3200) is an electric locomotive produced by the Werkspoor factory which once served the line from Batavia (Jakarta) to Buitenzorg (Bogor). This locomotive is nicknamed *"Bon-Bon"* because it has a box shape with attractive colors resembling Bonbon chocolate. The first batch of these locomotives was produced in 1925, with a total of 2 locomotives numbered WH 3201-3202. Then the second batch was produced again in 1927, with a total of 4 locomotives numbered WH 3203-3206. This locomotive served from the Elektrische Staatsspoorwegen (ESS) era until the era of PJKA in the mid-1970s.

## History

The electrification of the rail network in Indonesia has been built since 1923, and was first operated in 1925 on the Tandjong Priok–Meester Cornelis line with 1500 V DC overhead electricity (LAA). The facilities, infrastructure, and operation of the electric trains in Batavia at that time were handled by the Elektrische Staatsspoorwegen (ESS) company, which was part of the Staatsspoorwegen (SS) company. Apart from the 3200 series electric locomotives, ESS also ordered several other types of electric locomotives, such as the 3000 series made by Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM), the 3100 series made by Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG), the 3300 series made by Borsig, even the 4000 series which is a Werkspoor's 360 V DC battery-powered locomotive.

At first, this electric locomotive only served train services on the Tandjong Priok–Meester Cornelis route. However, when electrification continued to the Depok and Buitenzorg areas in 1930, ESS 3200 was finally put into service on this route.

During the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies, all series of existing electric locomotives underwent a numbering system change. The change in the numbering system is to remove the first digit from all locomotive serial numbers, leaving only the last 3 digits. For example, the number '3202' changed to series '202'.

This series of locomotives continued to operate pulling local passenger train lines until the mid-1970s. Having reached half a century of age, these locomotives were deemed no longer sufficient and were replaced with a series of new Rheostatic Electric Rail Trains (KRL) made in Japan in 1976. As a result, these locomotives were no longer operational and were eventually demolished.

## Incident

On September 20, 1968, there was a collision between a series of passenger trains numbered 406 bound for Bogor Station pulled by the 3201 and a series of passenger trains numbered 309 bound for Jakarta Kota Station pulled by Locomotive BB201 11, this event is also known as the *Ratujaya train collision* 1968. The collision that killed 46 people occurred on Friday morning, which was located in the Ratujaya area, the partition between Depok Station and Citayam Station. As a result of this incident, the two locomotives; was badly damaged, and 3 passenger train units were destroyed. 3201 itself was scrapped after experiencing this incident.

## Preservation

Of the six units of the 3200 series, only one unit was left that survived, ESS 3202, which was found piled up in the Manggarai Balai Yasa garden. At the initiative of the Indonesian Railway Preservation Society (IRPS), the ESS 3202 electric locomotive was later restored and preserved by PT Kereta Api (Persero).

This locomotive underwent 2 restoration stages. The first restoration process was completed on July 29th 2007 by only improving the appearance of the body without repairing the engine or electrical system. This locomotive restoration unit is given a gray color, according to the color when it was first found in the Balai Yasa Manggarai garden and given unit number 3201 (possibly as a reminder of the Ratujaya incident).

On April 14 2009, ESS 3202 was moved from Balai Yasa Manggarai to Tanjung Priuk Station. The transfer of this locomotive is intended to be displayed as a display of historic assets during the inauguration of Tanjung Priuk Station by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 28 April 2009.

On September 2, 2009, ESS 3202 was brought back to Balai Yasa Manggarai from Tanjung Priuk Station to undergo the second restoration phase. This restoration phase plans to revive the engine and electrical system so that this locomotive can return to life. ESS 3202 was finally tested on July 18 2013 at Depok Station with the engine and pantograph taken from the Rheostatic KRL unit in the Manggarai Yasa Hall. Shortly thereafter, the locomotive's color was changed again to blue, citing the color of a brochure from the Heemaf Hengelo factory promoting the locomotive.

Currently, the ESS 3202 electric locomotive is stored in the Manggarai Yasa Hall. However, this locomotive is very rarely removed from Balai Yasa Manggarai because it has problems with an old gearbox and cannot be replaced with a new one due to Cultural Heritage Goods regulations.