Comments on: Riding on the Rails of History: The Panama Canal Railway

By: Max

Max — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 14:49:11 +0000

I was a Scout/Sniper in the US Army stationed in the 1970s at Fort Davis just outside Colon. At that time it was US territory as the Canal Zone. I could watch ships passing through the Gatun Locks from my room. Colon was even worse back then, the armpit of the world I used to say. I had friends killed in Colon, probably doing things they weren’t supposed to be doing. Our main purpose was to defend the canal, so I spent countless weeks patrolling the jungles surrounding the canal. The train was the primary transportation for us between Colon and Panama City. It was owned and run by the US Government, so it was safe and clean. I visited Panama again in the 1990s, after the US passed the canal back to the Panamanians. The government had let the Colon side of the country fall into disrepair and roads leading to many places were completely washed away. The train was not safe to ride at that time, so I’m glad to see that it was somewhat restored when you were there. It’s a beautiful country.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 15:15:54 +0000

In reply to Teresa. Okay, you are making me feel better about my bus rides in Egypt ;) That does NOT sound fun -- the rest sure do though!

By: Teresa

Teresa — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 08:34:18 +0000

Thx for great info, super foundation as we start planning our upcoming adventure! My top train ride: 30-day Amtrak/ViaRail pass from Tuscon, AZ to SF, CA then across the US (UT & CO were incredible!) to Niagara Falls then from Boston to Baltimore and DC, cut down to New Orleans then UP to Chicago before ending in Albuquerque, NM. A BLAST!Got hooked on dipping pizza in mustard, trying to shake up the budget menu a bit, LOL! WORST train ride ever: 19-hr horror goimg south to Luxor, Egypt. No working toilets, a disgusting “river” floating through the aisles, homeless fellas sleeping under our seats, and thugs trying to force us to buy snacks we repeatedly declined. Sprang for flight back to Cairo! Fun little.train on Hood River, OR does western themes with actors on board–as well as an Elvis themed ride–to get up close and personal with Mt. Hood! I do love trains!

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:01:19 +0000

In reply to Whitney of GoFam Travel. I loved Panama so much. I'd love to go back some day, especially to explore San Blas!

By: Whitney of GoFam Travel

Whitney of GoFam Travel — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 04:12:22 +0000

This is such a great post on Panama! We had a great family trip there- so many fun experiences. We took the bus across the country and that was something! Next time, I want to experience the Panama Canal Railway!

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 21:41:50 +0000

In reply to Fred. Okay, these all sound incredible! I really need to add a few more train rides to my bucket list...

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 19:16:21 +0000

The best train ride? It would be hard to pick! Here’s three great rides I’ve taken. (1) The California Zephyr full route on its original route, in it’s hey-day, the 1950s, in a Pullman suite, with the Zephyr’s Vista Domes, Zephyrettes, and friendly staff. Go Stand on the back platforms in the long tunnels. (2). The Santa Fe Super Chief full route, in its heyday, and (3) The Panama Canal Railroad as (a) a guest engineer non-stop across the continent (in an air-conditioned F-40, no less), and (b) an incredible sunset ride and exquisite dinner on that train with the Panama Canal Steering Committee. Still on the bucket list is Canada’s luxury train, The Rocky Mountaineer, all three routes.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 22:59:37 +0000

In reply to Betty. Ugh, I wish I took the train in Egypt. My latest post makes it clear why ;)

By: Betty

Betty — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 00:24:01 +0000

I too have ridden a rain through Panama. My favorite train trip was an overnight train trip through Egypt.

By: Leonore Doucette

Leonore Doucette — Sat, 26 May 2018 12:58:46 +0000

In reply to Alex. This reply is for Heather, I live in Canada and you can take the ViaRail going through Canada not the Amtrak. Amtrak is the States only