Stations en Spoorbruggen op Sumatra 1876–1941

This publication offers a detailed and visually rich account of railway infrastructure development in Sumatra during the late colonial period, from 1876 to 1941. Written as a companion to the earlier Spoorwegstations op Java (1993), it reflects author Michiel van Ballegoijen de Jong’s long-standing interest in the architectural and logistical history of Indonesia’s railways—an area where much archival material was lost during the war years (1942–1948).

Unlike Java, Sumatra never had a continuous railway network. Instead, four independent systems operated on the island: the Aceh Tram (AT/ASS) in the north, the private Deli Spoorweg Maatschappij (DSM) in the east, the Staatsspoorwegen ter Westkust van Sumatra (SSS) around Padang, and the Zuid-Sumatra Staatsspoorwegen (ZSS) in the south. Each network had its own technical specifications and served distinct economic and geographic regions. Today, only parts of the DSM and ZSS networks remain in operation.

Stations en Spoorbruggen op Sumatra documents this fragmented yet fascinating railway legacy through hundreds of historical photographs, technical drawings, and archival research. It stands as an essential resource for those interested in colonial engineering, transportation history, and the shared historical ties between Indonesia and the Netherlands.

Publication Details:

• Author: Michiel van Ballegoijen de Jong
• Publisher: De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam (2001)
• Language: Dutch
• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
• Pages: 416 pages
• Dimensions: 24 x 32 cm
• ISBN: 9067075124

 Condition:

• Book: Very Good. Light general wear to covers with a minor bump to the front board. Faint dust soiling and light foxing to the page block edges and endpapers. Internally clean. Signed by the author.
• Dust Jacket: Very Good. Light shelf wear and foxing to the interior.