The Panama Railroad Era
The Panama Railroad Era
The Panama Railroad played a significant role in the building of the Panama Canal during both the French and American eras. It transported workers, equipment, goods to work sites and carried miles of spoil away from the construction sites.
1845
William Henry Aspinwall, John L. Stephens, and Henry Chauncy, New York businessmen, form the Panama Railroad Company and obtain rights to build a railroad across the isthmus from the government of New Granada. It becomes the first transcontinental railroad in the world. Laborers come from China, East Indies, Ireland, England, Germany and Jamaica.
1849
Panama Railroad incorporates in New York and gold is discovered in California.
1850
Construction begins on the mainland around Monkey Hill, soon to be called Mount Hope.
1855
Panama Railroad is completed. On Sunday, January 28, the first train runs from the Atlantic Ocean all the way across the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean. The 49ers on their way to the California Gold Rush cross Panama on the railroad to shorten their journey from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States. Cost for a train ticket is as high as $25 in gold.
1861 – 1867
Panama Railroad is used to move troops, materials and gold from one U.S. coast to the other during the Civil War. The U.S. transcontinental railroad is not finished until 1869.
1875
Contract renegotiated with Panama. The railroad pays $1 million in gold plus $250,000 a year during the life of the contract (99 years). The railroad extends its rails into the Bay of Panama so that deepwater ships can reach its wharves. Mail, officials and troops of Colombia carried free of charge.
1881
French Canal Company buys controlling shares in the Panama Railroad Company and employs the railroad during their excavation of the canal.
1904
The United States purchases the railroad from the French and rebuilds it on higher ground and with a heavier gage line. The use of the railroad proves to be the lifeline in the building of the Panama Canal. Two hundred train loads of dirt removed every day from the work sites. The railroad also transports materials and labor. In addition, the trains serve as sleeping quarters for workers and pay cars. Many railroad inventions are built during this era including the rail shifter and the dirt spreader.
1979
Under the terms of the 1977 Carter-Torrijos Treaty, the Panama Railroad is turned over to the Government of Panama. At this time, the railroad and its infrastructures, although well-maintained, are antiquated and in need of upgrading.
1998
Panama Canal Railway Company is granted the exclusive right to develop, construct, operate, administer, renovate, reconstruct, modify and manage the railroad and its infrastructure, properties, intermodal terminals, installations, equipment and physical areas.
2001
The Panama Canal Railway begins coast to coast passenger train service. Container service follows several months later.
For more information about the railroad, link to History of the Panama Canal Railroad.
http://www.panarail.com/en/history/index.html
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