Trace Back The Semarang City Tram History

The participant of Lopen Semarang events "Telusur Jalur Trem" taking photo together in front of former head office of Semarang Joana Stoomtram Maatschappij (SJS) in Pengapon, Semarang. Behind this building once are existed the main SJS werkplaats (eng: workshop), but now is already un-used and abandoned. (photos by: Adityo Cahyo)

Semarang, in the late of 19^th century was growth into one’s of the important city in Dutch-Indies, a main port city with trade and services based. The people soon comes into this city, wishing  to get the better job and welfare. This urbanization flow makes Semarang density were increasing from time to time, thus a better city transportation were urgently needed. This challenge were answered by NV. Semarang Joana Stoomtram Maatschappij (SJS), a steam tram operator company that got the concession from the colonial government to served the needs of public transportation in the city of Semarang until Juwana. The president of SJS, Mr. H. M. A. Baron van Der Goes van Dirxland got this concession via Besluit van den Gouverneur-Generaal No.5 dated March 18^th 1881. Soon, the historical moment came on December 1^st 1881 when its inaugurated the first line of the city tram service between Jurnatan Station until Jomblang Station.

The map depicted the city tram lines in Semarang
on 1913. (source: Leiden University Library)

This first line extending along 4.4 KM from through the Mataram Weg (Now Jalan MT. Haryono). The citizen of Semarang were amused to this new kind of transportation technology. But new technology always broght a funny stories at the beginning. Liem Thian Joe, a famous journalist wrotes that the natives and the Chinese are believed that this kind of vehicle were moved by intangible creatures, and it needs a human sacrifice. Thus, they never let their kids going outside in the evening, afraid of they’ll be taken by the creatures. But soon this rumours were disappeared together with the important role of this means. On March 3^rd 1883 its inaugurated the two new lines, there are Jurnatan Station until Bulu Station, through the Aloon-Aloon (City Square) and Bodjong Weg (Now Jalan Pemuda), also from Jurnatan Station until Samarang NIS Station, the major railway station at that time that also the first railway station in Dutch-Indies, later Indonesia.  Then on July 2^nd 1883 its inaugurated the line from Jurnatan Station until the new harbor, and the last is on November 4^th 1899 when its inaugurated the line between Bulu Station until Bandjir Kanaal West Station, through Boeloe Weg (Now Jalan Mgr. Soegijopranoto). Besides the station, this tram line were served by several stopplats (eng: Tram Stop) there are in Kemijen, Aloen-Aloen Semarang, Bodjong, Karangturi and Bangkong.

The tram services in Semarang city by SJS were using the B12 series locomotives, produced by NV. Werkspoor from Netherlands and also the same type produced by Beyer-Peacock, England. This locomotief have classification as 0-4-0 locomotives, which 0-4-0 represents one of the simplest possible types, that with two axles and four coupled wheels, all of which are driven. The rail used the 1067 mm gauge, common gauge for Indonesian Railways, and above it the tram could reach its maximum speed of 25 km/hours. One’s of the B12 series locomotive now is preserved as a monument, in front of Pasar Turi Station, Surabaya.

The Djomblang Station on 1915. Its also depicted on the picture
the B12 locomotives series by NV. Werkspoor, Netherlands.
(source: Leiden University Library)

Hmmm, why its in Surabaya? Well the stories goes on. The development of the city tram in Semarang were not as good as in the other city like Batavia (Jakarta) and Surabaya, which also electrified in the beginning of 20^th century. The city tram development in Semarang were getting stucks, its still using the steam power that needs the teak wood, which is the price are expensive, as its firing. Then on the 1940, the Gemeenteraad (eng: City Council) of Semarang decided to closed the city tram operation. Its gained a mass protest among the Semarang citizen but the policy are goes on. Then the locomotives and the trains that once used to serviced the city tram in Semarang, were moved into the Surabaya. That’s why now, one’s of them are preserved in Pasar Turi station, Surabaya.

An Heritage Mosque in Jomblang, Masjid Jami Al Amanah

Masjid Al Amanah, but its well known as Masjid Jami Djomblang means The Great Mosque of Djomblang, once its became the biggest mosque in Jomblang neigborhood, Semarang. (source: Locale Techniek, 1937)

Its already June! Yeah the time is runnig out for the 8^th Semester students like me, everytime is “when I’ll graduated” in my mind, hell yeah! Its really happened mates, but okay gotta no worries about that, the life is beautifull outside right? 

The front terrace of Masjid Jami Jomblang (The Great Mosque of Jomblang).
The plaque commemorating mosque construction
were located in the left side of the leftmost doors.

A good movie, ntitled Sang Kiai were just released (see the trailers here) . A good kinda historical-based movie I guess, cant wait to watch it soon. According to its official websites, the films recounts the life of KH. Hasyim Asy’ari, a prominent Islamic figure from Pesantren Tebu Ireng, Jombang . He also the central figures in the Nadhlatul Ulama organization, the biggest Islamic based organization in Indonesia, founded on 1926. Here in the films Sang Kiai, the plots were the story of KH. Hasyim Asy’ari as the central figures in the foundation of Indonesia Independence. He was the role models during the Japanese occupation and the Revolution for Independence from 1942-1947 in determining the direction and the mass mobilization of the moslem . With his Jihad fatwa , KH. Hasyim urge and persuade the peoples to fight on the side of Republic Indonesia against the invaders.

The Masjid Jami Djomblang in 2013, seems the structure
of the roofs has been changed.

Talking about this film which most of its settings were located in Semarang, its remind me about one’s of the Nadhlatul Ulama mosque in Jomblang. A couple weeks ago, when visiting my friends house in Jomblang, I found this mosque while I wanna pray on Ashar time. Seen from the plaque, this mosque will celebrate its 80^th anniversary this December, 2013. On plaque its written,

Peringatan berdirinya masjid di Jomblang yang diperjaban bermula pada hari ahad kliwon 12 djumadil awal 1352 tahun hijriah atau 3 September 1933, selesai pada penghabisan bulan syaban 1332 tahun hijriah atau desember 1933, dari daya upaya djamaah Nadhlatul Ulama cabang  semarang bagian tamirul masjid 

The commemoration of the construction of this Mosque  in Jomblang, started in 12 Kliwon Jumadil Akhir , 1352 Hijri or September 3rd 1933, and finished on the ends of Syaban 1332 Hijri or December 1933, from the effort of the Semarangs Nadhlatul Ulama congregation. The official name of the mosque itself is Masjid Jami' Al Amanah.  Masjid is Indonesian word for mosque, actually its taken from arabic language, as well as Jami' which mean great. So according to the name, this supposed to be one's of the main mosque in the neigborhood. Al Amanah means "The Trust", but also has a broader Islamic meaning. It is the moral responsibility of fulfilling one's obligations due to Allah and fulfilling one's obligations due to Allah's discipline disciples.

Due to this Mosque was belong to Nadhlatul Ulama organization, so it’s a compulsory for the committee to celebrate the anniversary the construction of this mosque that also well known as Masjid Jami' Jomblang by held watching together Sang Kiai films, their ancestor and their notable figures. In my opinion ;)