Panama Canal Museum

Panama Railroad

Trains and transportation

The Panama Railroad, which was completed in 1855, was the world’s first intercontinental train.  It became the lifeline in building the canal as it hauled more than 200 car loads of dirt a day from the construction sites.  The trains were also used to transport fresh vegetables, meats, and baked goods to feed the workforce, and to transport the workforce itself to worksites and to recreational events such as Saturday night dances at the Hotel Tivoli. 

• Railroad Gallery
• French railroad switch
• Message Hook
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What to Expect

In our exhibit we trace the history of the Panama Railroad and the Panama Line, and include photos and artifacts from the French and America Eras, including French railroad switch, a track switch signal light, a brass bell, a passenger bench, and a wooden message hook which was used to pass train orders to railroad engineers before the use of radios.