Locomotive, The Most Reliable Steam-powered Transportation in the World

Steam locomotives, were first developed in Great Britain in the early 19th century and were used in the railroad system until the mid-20th century.

Richard Trevithick invented the steam locomotive in 1802. The most successful commercial steam locomotive was built in 1812–1813 by John Blenkinsop, assembled by George Stephenson, his son Robert, and his company Robert Stephenson and Company.

The locomotive he made, was the first steam locomotive capable of pulling passenger trains across the public railroad, Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.

In 1830, George Stephenson opened the first public intercity railroad lines, namely the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Robert Stephenson and Company built steam locomotives during the first decade of the steam age in Great Britain, the United States, and many other countries in Europe.

Since the early 1900's, steam locomotives started with electric and diesel locomotives. Since then, many rail lines have been converted to electric and diesel power starting in the late 1930s. Most steam locomotives have been retired from regular service since the 1980s, although many of them continue to operate as tourist train towers and heritage attractions.

In Indonesia itself, the train was first built in 1867 in Semarang with the Samarang NIS - Tanggung route, which is 26 km away, at the request of King Willem I for military purposes in Semarang as well as agricultural products to the Semarang warehouse.

Then, in serving the needs of shipping crops from Indonesia, the Dutch colonial government since 1876 has built various rail networks, with estuaries at the ports of Tanjung Priok Jakarta and Tanjung Perak Surabaya.

In 1950, the Indonesian government through DKA (the last railway service) steam locomotive, namely the D 52 series from the Fried Krupp Essen factory, Germany. A total of 100 pieces with a 2-8-2 coupling system.

This locomotive is very strong (powerful 1600 HP) and is used in various needs for passengers, goods and coal transportation. After operating for about 30 years (D 52), the steam locomotive ended with the transition from steam traction to diesel traction. The remaining steam locomotives are in Ambarawa.

During the transition from steam traction to diesel and electric traction, several steam locomotives have been brought to Ambarawa and Taman Mini to be preserved in the form of a railway museum. For fans of steam trains, you can see it in the world and train museums in Indonesia.