Mbeling railway bridge

Mbeling railway bridge is an railway bridge that linked between Kroya and Yogyakarta that lacated at the border between Sentolo, Kulon Progo Regency and Sedayu, Bantul Regency. The Mbeling railway bridge managed by Yogyakarta Operational Area VI. The Mbeling railway bridge is located north of the Yogya–Wates–Purworejo Highway. Built by the Staatsspoorwegen (SS) in 1886, it was replaced by the current bridge in 1933. Since 2007, another bridge has been added to the south of this bridge to support the construction of a double-track line across southern and central Java, specifically in the Kutoarjo–Yogyakarta corridor.

Mbeling railway bridge
Mbeling railway bridge had 2 bridges are left: new bridge, while right: old bridge. 2025
Coordinates	7°48′58″S 110°14′02″E
Carries	railway
Crosses	Progo River & Kroya - Yogyakarta railway line
Begins	Kroya
Ends	Yogyakarta
Owner	Directorate General of Railways [id] and Kereta Api Indonesia
Characteristics
Design	Bijlaard bent
Material	Steel
Total length	138 m
Height	16 m
No. of lanes	Double-track railway
Rail characteristics
Track gauge	1067 mm
History
Built	1886
Construction start	1886
Construction cost	ƒ100.000
Opened	20 July 1887 (1st generation) 16 February 1933 (2nd generation) 2007 (new bridge)
Rebuilt	17 June 1951 (old bridge)
Location

This bridge is 138 m (453 ft) long and spans the Progo River.^[1]

History

The first-generation Mbeling railway bridge was built concurrently with the construction of the Cilacap-Yogyakarta railway line. Construction began in 1886 and was completed a year later. The line opened on 20 July 1887.^[2]

As rail traffic grew, the old bridge began to show signs of deterioration in the late 1920s. The Staatsspoorwegen then planned to allocate ƒ190,000 for capital expenditures and ƒ100,000. This decision was quickly made by the SS Board of Directors because the need to replace the bridge was so urgent.^[3]

However, a teacher that the civil engineering major Technische Hoogeschool te Bandoeng, P.P. Bijlaard, proposed a bridge design that would save construction costs by up to 30% over the proposed cost. According to Bijlaard, the design could save construction costs by as little as ƒ100,000. Bijlaard's design had never been applied to a conventional bridge system; the savings in the main girder design resulted in steel savings of up to 30% over normal construction. In the main girder, this could reach 40%.

In his design, Bijlaard eliminated the pylons in the middle of the river because their use could cause damage due to the strong currents of the Progo River. SS then contracted the steel factory Koninklijke Nederlandsche Machinefabriek v/h E.H. Begemann in Helmond to carry out the production of the bridge frame. ^[4] The bridge began testing on 16 February 1933 and began operations in March of the same year.

The Mbeling railway bridge, along with approximately 325 other bridges, was demolished due to the impact of the Second Dutch Military Aggression. The fighters deliberately burned the bridges to hinder the movement of Dutch troops by train. The bridge had to be repaired, and on 17 June 1951, it was completely rebuilt.^[5]

After the construction of the double track railway, another new bridge was added which is located just south of the old bridge in 2007.

Service

Here's train name that crossing the mbeling railway bridge:

Executive class

• Taksaka, between Gambir and Yogyakarta
• Argo Dwipangga, between Gambir and Solo Balapan
• Argo Lawu, between Gambir and Solo Balapan
• Argo Wilis, between Bandung and Surabaya Gubeng
• Argo Semeru, between Gambir and Surabaya Gubeng
• Bima, between Gambir and Surabaya Gubeng
• Manahan, between Gambir and Solo Balapan
• Gajayana, between Gambir and Malang
• Turangga, between Bandung and Surabaya Gubeng

Mixed class

• Fajar and Senja Utama Yogya, between Pasar Senen and Yogyakarta (executive class, priority class, and premium economy class)
• Fajar and Senja Utama Solo, between Pasar Senen and Solo Balapan (executive class and premium economy class)
• Lodaya, between Bandung and Solo Balapan (executive class and premium economy class)
• Bangunkarta, between Pasar Senen and Jombang (executive class and economy plus class)
• Malabar, between Bandung and Malang (executive class, business class, and economy plus class)
• Mutiara Selatan, between Bandung and Surabaya Gubeng (executive class and premium economy class)
• Kertanegara, between Purwokerto and Malang (executive class and economy plus class)
• Malioboro Ekspres, between Purwokerto and Malang (executive class and economy plus class)
• Ranggajati, between Cirebon via Yogyakarta-Purwokerto and Jember via Madiun-Jombang-Surabaya Gubeng (executive class and business class)
• Wijayakusuma, between Cilacap and Ketapang (executive class and premium economy class)
• Sancaka Utara, between Surabaya Pasar Turi and Cilacap (executive class and business class)
• Batavia train, between Gambir & Solo Balapan (executive and economy)
• Mataram, between Pasar Senen and Solo Balapan
• Gaya Baru Malam Selatan, Pasar Senen and Surabaya Gubeng
• Singasari, Pasar Senen and Blitar

Economy class

• Jayakarta, between Pasar Senen and Surabaya Gubeng
• Joglosemarkerto, loop line through Central Java and the Special Region of Yogyakarta via Purwokerto
• Logawa, between Purwokerto and Ketapang
• Progo, between Pasar Senen and Lempuyangan
• Bengawan, between Pasar Senen and Purwosari
• Jaka Tingkir, between Pasar Senen and Purwosari
• Kahuripan, between Kiaracondong and Blitar
• Pasundan, between Kiaracondong and Surabaya Gubeng
• Gajah Wong, between Pasar Senen and Purwosari

Freight

• Overnight train Service, between Kampung Bandan and Malang (Central Parcel), between Surabaya Kota and Bandung (Southern Parcel)

See also

• Kewek railway bridge
• Cikubang railway bridge