Kayu Tanam Station History

The history of Kayu Tanam Station began with the official opening of the 71-kilometer Padang–Padang Panjang railway line. The state-owned railway company, Staatssporwegen ter Sumatra Westkust (SSS), undertook this massive infrastructure project based on the Law of July 6, 1887 (State Gazette Number 163). Led by an experienced railway engineer named J. W. Ijzerman , the construction process of the Padang–Padang Panjang line was strategically divided into three main sections: the first stretch connected Padang to Duku, the second ran from Duku to Kayu Tanam, and the final leg linked Kayu Tanam to Padang Panjang. To bring this network to life, the company employed a diverse workforce of laborers from the Minangkabau, Nias, Javanese, and Chinese communities. 

In its early days, Kayu Tanam Station was a modest building topped with a simple gable roof. The station's structure combined different materials, featuring solid brick walls for the railway's operational areas and wood for the passenger waiting room. The station grounds were well-equipped for daily operations, housing a train depot, a water tower, and a warehouse. 

By the year 1900, Kayu Tanam Station had become a bustling transit point, serving eight daily train trips, which included four trips to Padang and four to Padang Panjang. Traveling from Kayu Tanam to Padang took about 2 hours, while the trip up to Padang Panjang took around 1.5 hours. Following the social standards of the era, passengers were strictly divided into two categories: Class 1 for foreigners and Class 2 for the indigenous population. While people utilized the service regularly, the trains primarily transported coal from Sawahlunto, alongside valuable export commodities such as coffee, cinnamon, and copra. 

Situated at an altitude of +144 meters above sea level, Kayu Tanam Station was built with five railway tracks. It marked a unique geographical transition point; because the surrounding terrain became significantly steeper past this station, a specialized rack railway (cog railway) system began right from this location. Recognizing its profound historical value, Kayu Tanam Station has been officially preserved as a cultural heritage site under the West Sumatra Governor's Decree Number 432-144-2019. 

Image 1: The atmosphere and scenery around Kayu Tanam Station during the 1900s. (Source: KITLV 18375) 

Image 2: The daily hustle and bustle at Kayu Tanam Station in 1935. (Source: KITLV 52743)