Description
Book SynopsisNarrow Gauge in the Tropics is the first comprehensive history of railways and tramways in the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia) from breaking ground in 1864 to the invasion of the Japanese during World War II.
Trade Review"Augustus Veenendaal has written a ground-breaking and superbly researched study of narrow-gauge railroads in the Netherlands East Indies. He reveals the technology, finances, traffic, and enthusiasm for these slim-width carriers. This is a book that the general reader and professional historian alike can relish."—H. Roger Grant, Kathryn and Calhoun Professor of History, Clemson University
"It should be no surprise that the first comprehensive work on the Dutch East Indies railways comes from a Dutch author. He could hardly be better qualified: Guus Veenendaal is not only a railway enthusiast and modeller but by profession an academic historian, greatly respected in The Netherlands, and ultimately official historian to the Nederlandse Spoowegen. Heartily recommended."—Andrew Burnham, Editor, Continental Modeller
"An informative addition to the growing library of books devoted to the history of railroads outside North America and Europe. Well-researched and beautifully illustrated."—Carlos Schwantes, author of Crossroads of a Continent
Table of ContentsPreface
Acknowledgements
1. The Dutch or Netherlands East Indies
2. The First Railway on Java
3. The Choice of the Most Suitable Railway Gauge for the East Indies
4. State or Private Railways?
5. The Early State Railways
6. Slowing Down and Reorganization
7. Railways of Sumatra
8. Sumatra's Other Railways
9. The Coming of the Steam Tram
10. Toward a New Prosperity
11. The Private Companies until 1914
12. World War One and Its Golden Aftermath
13. Travel in the Tropics—Electrification
14. The Non-Public Railways
15. Worldwide Depression and Slow Recovery
16. Epilogue
Maps
Gazetteer
Abbreviations
Sources and Suggestions for Further Reading
Index
