Panama Canal Railway, Transcontinental railroad in Panama City, Panama
Panama Canal Railway is a transcontinental railroad linking the Atlantic port of Colón to the Pacific terminal near Panama City across a distance of roughly 77 kilometers (48 miles). The route runs through tropical rainforest and follows the path of the artificial waterway across the isthmus.
Engineers completed the first railroad connection between the Atlantic and Pacific in 1855 after thousands of workers died from tropical diseases and severe accidents. A full reconstruction of the line took place around the year 2000, when the entire infrastructure was renewed and the track gauge adjusted.
The rail line has carried the waterway's name since its founding and follows the shore of the artificial lake and the locks for long stretches. Travelers can watch container ships moving parallel through the canal during the journey, traveling between two oceans.
One passenger train runs on weekdays in each direction between both terminals and takes about an hour for the single journey. Reservations should be made in advance as seats fill quickly and the train does not run daily.
The railroad company today primarily transports freight containers between the two oceans, and passengers represent only a small part of the business. Many travelers use the train as a fast alternative to the road, which is often congested and winds through dense greenery.
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