Passenger Trains > Riding the Panama Canal Railway

Mrs. Brown and I just returned from a cruise to among other stops, Colon, Panama, and we enjoyed the shore excursion called "Two Oceans by Rail" which included a ride on the Panama Canal Railway's passenger train.  This trip closely mirrored a cruise we took 21 years ago, very close to the same date (Oct. 30 vs Nov. 1), on the same ship (Carnival Legend), with much the same itinerary as the 2004 trip, with the addition of one port stop.  This year's trip was a 10 day out of Galveston; the 2004 trip was an 8 day from Ft. Lauderdale.  I'll include a few comparison photos for your enjoyment.

1.  The train is at the station in Colon on the Caribbean side, ready to depart southward.

2.  Leaving the station area.

3.  Approaching the "new" Agua Clara locks with a ship entering the lower lock chamber.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/08/25 00:03 by AndyBrown.

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4.  Mrs. Brown displays the snack box and water passed out to all passengers.

5.  Mrs. Brown in her younger years.

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6-7.  I was still quite the stud 21 years ago, now old and fat.

8.  Rolling alongside Gatun Lake.

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9.  Approaching Gamboa in the mid portion of the trip with a cut hillside visible across the canal.

10.  Looking southward, Gamboa and a Pacific bound container ship visible in the distance.

11.  Approaching Gamboa I was pleased to see a northbound freight cleared up for us.

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12.  Eng. on the freight gives us a rollby.

13.  The old "Herman the German" crane at Gamboa.

14.  Chagres River bridge.

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15.  Looking southward into the famous Culebra Cut.

16.  MSC container ship.

17.  At Pedro Miguel locks on the south (Pacific) end of the Canal, we see the Maersk Wellington approaching the lock chamber.

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18.  Another view of the Maersk Wellington.

19.  Looking across to the "new" Cocoli lock we are treated to the unusal spectacle of looking up at a ship.

20.  Engineer climbs down from the F40 at the Panama City station.

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21-23.  Looking back 21 years ago we see his and hers views of the young couple at Panama City, then the old fat guy again.

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24-25.  This was a totally unexpected bonus.  At the end of the trip we boared a bus for a (too long) tour of Panama City; first stop was a shopping center (they ALWAYS take you somewhere for souvenir shopping on these bus tours).  But luck was on my side.  Unbeknownst to me, a southbound frieght had followed us across; upon stepping off the bus I was surprised to hear that wonderful old horn of an F40 very close by, so I sprinted to the fence behind the shopping center just in time to catch the freight.  Not the most photogenic location but I was still thrilled to be able to get a trackside shot of a train, any train.

26.  Through the bus window view of two sets of road power ready to head north at the yards in Panama City.

Thanks for looking!

Andy

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Amtrak equipment,either ex ATSF or PRR coaches, and F40's. 

Andy, Thanks for all the Panama Canal Rly photos.  It's a special place for us as well.  You're looking good - appreciated the then and now photos.

You were really rockin' those Richard Simmons short shorts 21 years ago.

You know, putting together these posts is not easy (at least for me).  I appreciate this pictorial travel guide greatly.  I learn a lot about things more than trains too.

Thanks for all the pictures.

Those well cars look like they would be very hard to do a container break in.

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In 2014 the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City hosted an exhibit on the Panama Canal. In conjunction with the exhibit there was a lecture featuring the late Peter Hansen, editor, Railroad History; and Michael Haverty, Former Chairman, President, and CEO, Kansas City Southern Railway. Mr Haverty described the purchase of the railroad in Panama, and that the purchase of bulkhead well cars was intentional to prevent thief from the containers.  

The lecture Rails Across Panama: From ’49ers to 40-foot Containers is available online. 
 https://www.lindahall.org/experience/digital-exhibitions/the-land-divided-the-world-united/14-additional-resources/lecture-series/#main-content

I took the same train 4 years ago - here is a video of the ride
 

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Wonderful shots , then and now , of the railroad and Mr. and Mrs. Brown  !!  Looks like it was fun then and now .

Topfuel Wrote:
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> You were really rockin' those Richard Simmons
> short shorts 21 years ago.

Ha ha!  I wish I was still in that same physical condition!

Thanks all for the kind remarks.

Andy

Thanks for sharing these photos and providing the narrative. Is the former Southern Pacific dome car still being used?

AndyBrown Wrote:
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> 6-7.  I was still quite the stud 21 years ago,
> now old and fat.
>

I would describe you as looking healthy these days!

 

The southern Pacific dome was being used when I rode this train in 2023

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