I rode this line on a daily basis between Panama City and Colon in 1984. Then, a SW-1200 pulled three ex-UPRR passenger coaches on a train departing PC in the morning. The other train departed Colon at the same time and the two trains met on a siding someshre on the causeway. The trip was repeated in the afternoon. Many times, we took our fishing gear and detrained on the causeway and caught our share of bass. A huge fish fry followed when we returned to Howard Air Force Base.
Chuck, does the train still run on a daily basis or is it booked for cruise ship passengers only?
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Yes, the train operates early morning and late afternoon for Panama passengers. Mid-morning cruise ship(s) charter the train for round trip from Colon loading platform. Our ship, CORAL PRINCESS, had passengers tendered in at Gatun Lake to waiting buses. Bus pulled up to Colon where there's only platforms and everyone boarded the train. Train trip took about 1-hour and 15-minutes. We had one train meet at Gamboa Siding (hand operated switches).
Passnegers disembarked at Corozal onto buses for additional touring, i.e. Miraflores Locks, on south end of the line. Reboarded at former military warehouse where railway has a gift shop. Photo is taken at that location.
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