05. Panama Railroad
This article is a summary of reporting by Linda Hall Library. Originally published January 1, 2026.
Beginning at Front Street in the Atlantic port town of Aspinwall (later renamed Colón), the 47.5-mile Panama Railroad transported travelers heading across the isthmus toward Panama City. When American engineers took over the canal enterprise in the early 1900s, Chief Engineer John F. Stevens modernized what he termed a 'phantom railroad' by strengthening bridges, installing double tracks, and laying heavier rail to support excavation. The line served as an essential logistics artery during canal construction and inspired rival proposals like James B. Eads' Interoceanic Ship Railway.
AI Summary
This historical retrospective details the 1855 completion of the 47.5-mile railway and its role as the gateway across Panama.
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