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Nostalgia & History > Panama RR memories---Pt 11Date: 02/04/25 11:46 Panama RR memories---Pt 11 Author: cewherry Today let's look at the equipment; some of it newly acquired--some, merely repainted--the road was
using during my time in the 'Zone' as it was known by those stationed in various branches of U.S. armed forces. Photo 1 We are at the passenger station at Colon where Alco RSC-3 #901 has cut off train No 8 and is in the process of running around the cars which will be southward No 9. The all-steel cars, as far as I've been able to determine, came from the Reading Ry. and replaced a fleet of steel under-frame, wooden body cars. In my time I never witnessed a mixing of the wood and steel cars in the same train. I believe the two types did run at the same time---but always segregated; all-wood or all steel but not in the same train. The street that the 901 is crossing is calle 11, today an access to Hutchison Ports inter-modal terminal and a close look at Google Street View reveals the 5 foot gauge rails remain in the pavement. Notice the carman is toting the electric cable that provided car lighting from the locomotive, to the 'new' head car. Photo 2 Normal operations at Colon that I observed was, after arrival the engine was run around the train and parked about one car before coupling while the carman completed his inspection and the crew went to lunch. Notice the power umbilical attached to the coach and laying between the rails. When the time came to couple-up, the air hose and cable will be connected by the carman; air test completed and at 3:05pm, No 9 will depart. The only thing in this scene that remains today is that 3-story building at the right of the frame. Those open verandas have been enclosed with glass---only at the corners of the structure-- and I presume, air conditioning. Photo 3 Here we see engine 901 basking in the afternoon sun awaiting its crew and another run across the Isthmus. When the road decided to repaint their three Alcos, (the EMD SW1200's didn't get the treatment) they chose the blue and yellow scheme. I'm assuming to somewhat complement the blue and gray dress of the 'new' steel cars. Sealed beam headlights were substituted for the incandescent ones. We can also see the radio antenna atop the cab although I don't remember ever hearing any radio conversation on my occasions while riding along with John White. Maybe the radio was used, but 57 years have taken their toll on my gray matter. Charlie ![]() ![]() ![]() Date: 02/04/25 12:04 Re: Panama RR memories---Pt 11 Author: Ritzville Thanks Charlie for another interesting look at the Panama RR.
Larry Date: 02/04/25 13:17 Re: Panama RR memories---Pt 11 Author: Gonut1 Another Great Post!
Gonut Date: 02/04/25 14:49 Re: Panama RR memories---Pt 11 Author: E25 Thanks again, Charlie. I owe you a lunch ...or two!
Greg Stadter Phoenix, AZ |