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Hello and welcome back to Indonesia, where we’ll be checking out a very unique ‘train’ today!
The Batara Kresna Railbus runs between Solo City and Wonogirl in Central Java, and combines stunning scenery and exciting on-street running… so let’s go and check it out together!
Date of Filming: 19/10/23
Camera: GoPro Hero 12 Black
Operator: KAI (Indonesian Railways)
Departure: Wonogiri, Indonesia
Arrival: Solo City, Indonesia
Cost: 4,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£0.20, €0.24, $0.26)
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00:00 – Intro
00:58 – Wonogiri & Station
02:05 – Boarding
03:08 – Route Map
03:32 – Departure & Priving
04:26 – Seat Tour!
05:18 – #TrainWindowViews
06:04 – Stations Along the Way
06:58 – Train Info
07:40 – Solo City Suburbs
08:38 – On-Street Running!
10:06 – Trip Summary
10:52 – Arrival at Solo Purwosari
11:20 – Outro
Today we’ll be taking what is probably the most unique train in Indonesia, a Railbus service which travels through both beautiful countryside and city centre roads all on the same trip, so let’s go and check it out it together! Hello & welcome to Wonogiri, a town of 88,000 people in Central Java.
Java is Indonesia’s and indeed the world’s most populated island with some 148 million people. The unique train we’ll be taking today connects Wonogiri to Surakarta, the royal historic capital of Java which is known locally nowadays as Solo City.
Our journey starts at the small station here, which is nothing more than a one window staffed ticket office, a small waiting room and a couple of security guards. But then, it doesn’t need much, as there are only two return service per day, on this one route.
There is plenty of free electricity here as well. The inbound service arrives around 15 minutes before our scheduled departure. We would have caught the train out here, however it was fully booked with a school trip party. The train in question is a 3-car diesel railbus, operated by KAI, or Indonesian Railways.
The service is named Batara Kresna, or the BK line to locals. Boarding is by way of these small steps up to the coach. No level boarding is available. All seating is in airline style, and is in a 2+2 configuration. I love what they’ve done with the outside of the station too. Some
Simple plants and decoration makes it look really great! Before we get going, just a quick check of the prohibited items to make sure I’m in compliance… No snakes, durian, guns, knives, drugs, or lying down. Check! The doors are closing, so now let’s check out our route!
We depart on-time at 12:00. Our route is just 37km today, and is scheduled to take 1 hour and 45 minutes of travel time arriving at 1.45pm. The cost of the ticket on this train is a quite unbelievable 4,000 Indonesian Rupiah (£0.20, €0.24, $0.26). It’s the cheapest mainline train ticket I’ve ever bought.
The track on this line is Cape Gauge, or 1067mm between the rails as is all the legacy network in Indonesia and there’s some fabulous semaphore signals too! The majority of the line is single track, with some strategic passing places, not that they’re required!
OK let’s move back to the rear coach where it’s a bit quieter and go and check out the seats… There’s no hiding the fact that they’re just plastic moulded seats, but they do have a nice natural angle to them and padding on both the bum and back.
The legroom is good, obviously on these seats by the doors, but even on the normal seats. Luggage can be stored on the plentiful overhead racks, and scrolling digital displays show upcoming stops and service information. There are no toilets, power sockets, WiFi or catering onboard 🙂
While it may not be the most scenic route in the country, there’s still some nice #TrainWindowViews to be seen. We make a few stops in small towns and villages along the way, like here in Sukoharjo, which has a population of just 8,000.
From the looks of the passengers onboard, this service mainly serves older people off to do some shopping in the bigger town, or kids heading to or from school. If you want AD-FREE early access to every video, great perks and to help me to do
BIGGER & BETTER reviews, then become a Channel Member from just £1.99 per month. Just click the link above now, or the JOIN button in every video. Thank you! Did you know this railbus was actually built locally in Indonesia? And it certainly isn’t fast, with a top speed of just 30km/h (19mph).
When you consider the whole 37km route, our average speed is just 21km/h (13mph). But it’s not about the speed, it’s about the journey, right? However I’ll tell you what IS about the speed… Indonesia’s BRAND NEW ‘Whoosh’ high-speed train!
I was lucky enough to get a ride onboard before it even opened to the public, so if you want to see that video, click the link above now! We are now running right next to the houses and streets on the outskirts of Surakarta, or
Solo City as it’s known locally, and will make one final stop before we start the on-street running. Solokota Station serves the people to the east of the city, and is quite a grand affair for its 4 trains per day.
OK, so now the fun is about to start. The unique thing about this line is the fact that from now until the end of the line, we will run along the street with all other traffic. Not just next to it, but actually in one of the traffic lanes.
It’s quite something to experience. While it is not unique in the world, it just feels, I don’t know, a bit more dangerous here. It even runs right past the front door of our hotel, the Royal Surakarta Heritage. Btw I can recommend this 5-star hotel highly, and it only costs around €30 per night.
OK, so to summarise today’s trip. Well it was never about the speed or comfort, of which there was very little of each. But for a really cheap, authentic railway experience, I had an absolute blast! If you’re in Solo, and have some free time, then why not check it out.
By the way the buses between Solo and Wonogiri cost about double the price of the train, but they do take half the time 🙂 I have to say also, all the cars and bikes were very well behaved around the train, and I didn’t see any near misses.
The driver certainly wasn’t afraid to use the horn just in case though! I will have many more trips coming up in Indonesia very soon, including the newly launched compartment suites service from Surabaya to Jakarta. If you have any recommendations of trains to try for when I’m back in Indonesia,
Then leave me a comment below! The final section of this trip, we run adjacent to the city’s raised BRT stops cut completely across 4 lanes of traffic, which are thankfully being held back by some railway staff. The station is just beyond this crossing. I filmed this arrival shot earlier in the day.
Have you been on any interesting railbus trips before? Which route did you do, and how did you find it? Let me know in the comments below! By the way, I’m always open to new video ideas, so send me a DM on
Instagram or Twitter if there’s anything you really want to see on the channel… Don’t forget to subscribe as I publish a new review every Friday, thanks for watching and I’ll see you next week!
34 Comments
This line used to go further all the way to Baturetno, but was closed in 1976 iirc due to a flood or something
1:45h for 37 kilometers, there are people that could run it faster lmao. Also cheapest intercity train would probably be in Luxembourg, where all trains are free 🙂
Spiffing great video! I was born not too far away from Solo. I still remember in my youth going back to Central Java, day trip to Solo from Jogja or Boyolali to occasionally see the ekonomi class carraiges being hauled by the diesel locos. It'll charge down the street with that presence and determination of "oi mate, I'm a train, get out of my way!"
Now, imagine a Class 37 charging down the tramways of Croydon doing the same thing! How did you like Central Java?
Please review by Bangladesh relays
Wow its 20p for a train ride the uk government should take notes
Bom viagem de trem aí
POV:
I know this train from nearly 2 years,
Just because I saw it in BUSSID😝
😂😂😂😂
😂 Can I take a 🐐 with me on the train? It doesn't say I can't!
Great video !!
Would LOVE to see a hotel review!
I recommend you to try the luxury class of Argo Dwipangga train or the luxury class of Argo Lawu train, these are trains with new generation carriages🤗
and don't forget to visit the dining car on every train trip!
There are some very luxurious dining carriages on Indonesian trains,
This is a list of trains that have luxury dining carriages
-Pandalungan Train
-Sembrani Train
– Argo Dwipangga & Argo Lawu train
– Bima & Argo Semeru trains (newly used)
I hope you are lucky enough to try it🤗
I think that the only railbus on service in Indonesia
There anither one in sumatra(Palembang -indralaya) but already long not active
Great trip. Finally you upload this. Hope the upgrade in the future can increasing the operational speed, and can be compete with Local Intercity Buses running in same line. When you back to Indonesia again, I recommend Jenggala Train, running from Surabaya Kota to Sidoarjo via Mojokerto and Tulangan, but i prefer the Sidoarjo to Mojokerto route since it's more scenic (Notes: the schedule is very limited, choose the morning one to get best view). Or if you want bit anti mainstream, try the Dhoho Penataran train from Surabaya Kota to Surabaya Kota again (yes, this route is like Loop line), the sister train is Penataran Dhoho which on same route but different direction, Dhoho Penataran running west as far as Kertosono and then going south to Tulungagung and then going east to Blitar and Kepanjen and finally going north to Surabaya Kota via Malang. For Penataran Dhoho just reverse that Dhoho Penataran route. Hope you also try some Intercity buses and some Ferry running in my country. Can't wait for the Suites Compartment route, but also can't wait for your extreme trip on Sri Tanjung Train (base from your friend Instagram post, Superalb Travels).
Maybe before/after you ride Compartement suite class, you can try new KAI intercity trainset (Executive/Luxury) at Argo Lawu/Argo Dwipangga (Jakarta-Solo) 😂. Maybe next month (?) New trainset of Taksaka (Jakarta-Yogyakarta) and Argo Bromo Anggrek (Jakarta-Surabaya) will regular operate also
Very unique 🎉
Dont you want to try the Sritanjung Train from yogja to banyuwangi? so you can go to bali just by ferry
Ooohhhh so that's why there are tram tracks there. I thought they kept it for heritage's sake! if i visit solo for more than one meal i would probably try this
BTW the rail from Solokota to Wonogiri is now being upgraded, so the train can go faster (up to 80 km/h) and they can add more trip (hopefully)
If you come back to Indo, Try new Trans Sulawesi Railway 😉
As an Indian, I am mighty impressed by Indonesian trains! We have a huge rail network in India however it is all done alike in wave of modernisation. Indonesia, consisting of many islands, treats different rail network portions differently. It adds character. Kudos Indonesia! And congrats on your high speed rail!
I was expecting this to be uploaded, but I wasn't expecting to be this sooner XD
Great video by the way. Also coincidentally the track is being upgraded, the old iron ties and tracks made by Krupp has been replaced with more modern tracks made by Batara Steel and now with concrete ties.
Take the jakarta-bandung regular train service of any types and you'll see the most scenic train route in Indonesia. It's even going through the highest train bridge in Indonesia (300m) called cisomang bridge and the oldest train bridge in this country (build in 1906) called cikubang bridge. All at one route. You'll go pass deep valleys, mountains, hills, ricefields, etc. It is worth every penny you spend. My recommendation, take the panoramic class, it'll give you full experience.
Everything looked good for loading at Wonogiri up to the steps. No ramps. Sad. Were there stevedores present who might be willing to help?
Oh man, take my machine gun and king cobra back off the train! 🤣🤣
Would you try the East Java Loop Local Service? (Commuterline Dhoho & Penataran). The routes passes Karangkates Dam, Lahor Bridge, and some more interesting spot.
What I want to know is, is there going to be a problem with me keeping my lit flamethrower? 😏
Indonesia looks gorgeous! You could live in that hotel for about $900/mo!
Thank you for trying this train.👍
But still waiitng for more from Poland
This feels almost like a tram-train
Additional info : There is ocassional steam locomotive hauled train trip that goes from Purwosari station to Solokota station passing through the road. It's a rent-only tour trip so it's not so often the steam train seen passing through the road. I don't know if you notice it or not but on the north side of Purwosari station there is a railway shed where three steam locomotive stored, two are still able to hauled the tour train while the other are still waiting for reactivated, now covered with tarpaulin.
Anyway, it's great that you able to experience this unique train (and visit Surakarta, my college town ). I often passing that road running railway despite not encountering the train cause it's only appear on morning.
Great video
Please do a review onboard the refurbished Alvias S730 from Madrid to Extremadura
Most unique trip!