SHS-23 Aeromovel Indonesia “Titihan Samirono” Skytrain: Elevated Loop Line Skytrain Ride Around Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Departure from Taman Wisata Station)

The Aeromovel Indonesia, also known as SHS-23 Aeromovel Indonesia or “Titihan Samirono”, was a wind powered people mover which loops around Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. An advanced technology when launched in 1989, the trains were lightweight and driverless since motive power is provided by wind blowers which pushed each train in each section only one at a time. The line was closed for a few years recently, till its relaunch just last year in April 2019, though it is now using a rather different and common technology called “diesel”.

Taman Wisata Aeromovel Station is just adjacent to the Transportation Museum.

The platform on the ground floor is for the Mini Train should it one day make a stop here.

The operational sign for the Aeromovel, now called the Kereta Layang (Skytrain).

Outside the station, there are seemingly-abandoned Aeromovel train sets.

Two cars of the original livery and a repainted red and green livery are used as a CFC outlet.

Heading to the ticket counter to purchase my ticket.

My ticket for the “Titihan Samirono” Skytrain around Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. One ticket is valid for exactly one round around the loop line, and is not valid to drop off at any other station. Hence, it cannot be used for commuting around Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. A single loop on board the “Titihan Samirono” Skytrain costs Rp.50,000 (~S$4.99).

The station sign of Taman Wisata Station.

The platform is divided into an arrival and departure area, blocked by benches for waiting.

The departure area is at the rear of the platform.

The unique gap for the Aeromovel can still be seen, though it’s no longer in use.

Seeing the amount of rainwater left on the track, I wonder if rain is the cause of the Aeromovel’s failure due to water seeping into the viaduct.

After about 10 minutes of waiting, the Aeromovel shows up slowly.

The slow speed makes it easy for photography.

The refurbished train car looks more sleek without the front window opening up for ventilation.

The Aeromovel train entering Taman Wisata Station.

The Aeromovel’s name of “Titihan Samirono” is also written on the side of the train car.

Doors are opened by the station master from outside the Aeromovel.

Boarding the Aeromovel.

The interior of the Aeromovel. Unfortunately, the rear car was very hot and stuffy as the air-conditioning was not switched on.

Each sector of the train car has seats in a different colour of green, pink and purple.

If you can bear the heat, the rear of the train car might offer the best experience with the rear window.

Seems like the emergency detrainment door is left in place despite the refurbishment, and having no way to detrain efficiently unless one crawls under the window.

Departing from Taman Wisata Station.

Looking down the 2-car train.

The gangway between the Aeromovel train cars.

Two air-conditioning units are installed at he front of each car, now with a driving cab.

Passing by the Komodo Indonesian Fauna Museum and Reptile Park.

Passing by the Electricity and New Energy Museum.

Taking a big u-turn around the Science and Technology Demonstration Center.

The driving cab of the now-diesel Aeromovel.

Passing by the Science and Technology Demonstration Center.

Passing by the Bird Park.

Passing through the inactive Taman Burung Station.

The new front panel of the Aeromovel with a sound system which wasn’t in use and a driving panel which looks like a car’s.

There is an engine starter, fuel gauge and genset, so I assume this is now diesel-powered.

Lots of dried leaves are stuck at the gap connecting the wind panel to the train, so I assume the wind panel has been removed from the Aeromovel train.

Looking down the 2-car train.

Quite a tight seat pitch for this facing bay of 4 seats.

Some seats also interfere with the door, but not that it opens anyway.

Passing through the inactive Taman Anggrek Station.

Being on board the Aeromovel, in a weird way, reminds me of the old Sentosa monorail despite not being related at all.

On the left, the Indonesian Archipelago is appearing.

The (supposedly) actual Indonesian Airways Douglas DC-3 RI-001 in the Aceh pavilion.

Passing by “Sabah”, “Brunei”, “Sarawak” and “Kalimantan”.

Crossing the “South China Sea” towards “Singapore” and “Johor”.

Pedal boats are available for rent to travel around the Indonesian Archipelago at “Singapore”.

Making a brief stop at Taman Nusa Station, situated on “Segamat”.

Passing by the West Sumatra pavilion.

Looking back at “Johor” and “Singapore”.

“Sumatra” spans a bulk of the west side of the Indonesian Archipelago.

Approaching Taman Budaya Station.

The platform sign indicates the station as “Skytrain Headquarters” instead.

Making a brief stop at Taman Budaya Station.

Departing from Taman Budaya Station.

Curving left above the Mini Train tracks.

The Taman Mini Flyer?

The entrance to Taman Legenda Keong Emas.

Passing through the inactive Taman Bunga Station.

Passing by the Museum of Indonesian Soldiers.

Approaching back to Taman Wisata Station.

*Dinosaur not included.

Passing by the Transportation Museum.

Arriving at Taman Wisata Station where the on-board staff were quick to remind us to alight.

Alighting from the Aeromovel. The trip around Taman Mini on the 3.2km Aeromovel line took 20 minutes.

The Aeromovel departing from Taman Wisata Station.

Heading for another loop around Taman Mini.

Heading down the steps to exit the station.

On the ground level, there are the two other original Aeromovel train sets that are no longer running.

One of the cars of the orange train.

The corresponding car of the orange train.

One of the cars of the grey train, now painted red and green.

The corresponding car of the grey train in the original Aeromovel Indonesia livery.

Overall, a pleasant ride on the Aeromovel, though calling it that might be a misnomer now due to the change in motive power. Nevertheless, still a great chance to take a newly-resurrected train around Taman Mini Indonesia Indah full of technological history demonstrations, which was unfortunately not able to catch up with technological advancements in today’s standards.