Ambarawa Railway Museum offers a fascinating experience with a collection of antique steam locomotives, Indonesian railway history, and various educational tourist activities.

Ambarawa Railway Museum, located in Semarang Regency, Central Java, is a tourist destination that brings the history of Indonesian railways to life.

Built on land that was previously used as Willem I Station, this museum invites visitors to learn about the long journey of railway history in Indonesia.

Showcasing a variety of antique train collections, including steam locomotives, legendary ticket printing machines, and other antiques, Ambarawa Railway Museum presents an educational experience that is not only interesting, but also touches on Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.

History of the Ambarawa Railway Museum

Ambarawa Station, which is now the Ambarawa Railway Museum, was first built on May 21, 1873 by the Dutch railway company, Nederlandsch Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NISM).

The initial purpose of building this station was to support the military mobilization of the Dutch East Indies government, especially after the end of the Diponegoro War.

Ambarawa, which is located between three major cities —Semarang, Surakarta, and Yogyakarta—is known as a strategic place to connect these regions.

In addition to the station, Ambarawa is also known as the location of Fort Willem I, which was built between 1835 and 1848, which also gave the station its name.

The fort was built during the Dutch colonial period and served as the Dutch defense center in Central Java.

After various changes and renovations carried out in 1905 and 1907, the station ceased to operate as an active station in 1976.

In that year, Ambarawa Station was converted into the Ambarawa Railway Museum, which houses various historical collections from Indonesian railway travel.

Main Collection of Ambarawa Railway Museum

Things to do Ambarawa should definitely include a visit to the Ambarawa Railway Museum, which offers a variety of very valuable and unique collections for visitors who want to learn about the history of railways.

The museum’s main collections include steam locomotives, antique ticket machines, and rare cogwheels, making it a must-visit destination for history and train enthusiasts alike. Here are some of the collections that are the main attractions of the museum:

1. Ancient Steam Locomotive

As a railway museum, of course the locomotive collection is the main focus. This museum has a number of antique steam locomotives, most of which have been around since the beginning of the station’s construction.

Steam locomotives, despite using steam power, were capable of carrying heavy loads and were one of the main means of transportation at that time.

The types of locomotives on display at this museum are very diverse, ranging from the B, C, D series, to the larger and more impressive CC type.

These steam locomotives are not only on display, but are also used for tourist trips, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the sensation of riding an antique steam train.

2. Antique Ticket Printing Machine

One of the rare collections that can be found in the Ambarawa Railway Museum is an antique ticket printing machine created by Thomas Edmondson in 1840.

This machine was first used to print train tickets, and continued to function in Indonesia until 2009. This ticket printing machine became a symbol of the beginning of the train ticket system in Indonesia.

In addition to the ticket printing machine, the museum also has various other antiques such as bells, whistles, and communication tools such as telephones and telegraphs used by train officers in the past.

3. Cogwheel

One of the very rare items in the Ambarawa Railway Museum is the cogwheel. This train cogwheel is used on railway lines that pass through steep terrain, where cogwheels are needed to provide extra traction so that the train can run safely.

Interestingly, there are only three of these cogwheels in the world, one of which is in the Ambarawa Railway Museum.

Although it has become a museum collection, this cogwheel is still used in tourist trips, providing a very interesting experience for visitors who want to see how trains in the past operated.

Address and Access to Ambarawa Railway Museum

The Ambarawa Railway Museum is located at Jalan Stasiun No. 1, Panjang Kidul, Ambarawa, Semarang Regency, Central Java.

This location is quite easy to reach, only about 40 km from the center of Semarang City. You can use private vehicles or public transportation, and if you use Google Maps, it will be easier to find the right access to this museum.

Ambarawa itself is an area that was once the capital of Semarang, so this museum is easily accessible via various routes.

Entrance Ticket Prices and Operating Hours

To enter the Ambarawa Railway Museum, visitors only need to pay a fairly affordable entrance ticket. Ticket prices vary for adults, children, students and foreign tourists.

The museum is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. WIB. The fairly long operating hours allow visitors to arrange their visiting time according to their convenience.

Tourist Activities at the Ambarawa Railway Museum

Ambarawa Railway Museum offers various interesting activities that allow visitors to learn more about the history of Indonesian railways. Some activities that can be done in this museum include:

Train Tour

This museum is a great place to learn about the history of Indonesian railways. Visitors can see various collections of steam locomotives, replica trains, and tools used at that time.

In addition, this museum also has a library known as ” Kereta Api Pustaka,” a place where visitors can read books that discuss the history of Indonesian railways.

2. Steam Locomotive Collection

For visitors interested in steam locomotives, the Ambarawa Railway Museum offers a very complete collection of locomotives. Some of the locomotives on display are B2502, B2503, B5112, and various other types of locomotives.

Each locomotive has its own historical story, providing interesting insights into the development of railway transportation in Indonesia.

3. Ambarawa-Bendono Tour

Visitors can enjoy a tour using a steam train on the Ambarawa-Bendono route (35 km round trip). This route offers stunning natural scenery, with the backdrop of Mount Merbabu, Mount Ungaran, and Mount Telomoyo. The route used is a toothed route, providing a unique experience that cannot be obtained in many places.

4. Shopping for souvenirs

The Ambarawa Railway Museum also has a gift shop where visitors can buy miniature trains and other souvenirs. This shop is an ideal place to take home a souvenir from the museum.

Facilities Available at the Ambarawa Railway Museum

Ambarawa Railway Museum provides various facilities for visitor convenience. Some of the facilities in this museum include a restaurant, large parking area, prayer room, and clean toilets. These facilities allow visitors to enjoy their experience more comfortably.

Ambarawa Railway Museum is not only a place to see a collection of trains, but also a place to learn about the history of transportation in Indonesia.

With an impressive collection of steam locomotives, antique ticket machines, and rare cogwheels, the museum offers an immersive and educational travel experience.

As one of the Tourist Attractions in Ungaran, this destination provides not only historical insights but also exciting tourism activities such as educational tours, Ambarawa-Bendono train rides, and souvenir shopping.

These experiences add to the attraction of this museum as a historical tourist destination that should not be missed.