Train Excursion in Panama

[rbrugler]

Is the train that one can take from Gatun Lake, ending up in Colon, a good option for someone with walking difficulties? Thanks!

Edited March 26, 2015 by rbrugler

[Richard in Panama]

How the train excursion works is you disembark the ship in

Gatun Lake, a bus takes you to the station in Colon where you board the train (a few steps up into the rail car), the train goes from Colon to the station near Balboa where you leave the train, and board the bus which brings you back across the Isthmus to Colon where you meet the ship.

 

At the platform where you disembark the train the train is at the level of the platform, no steps, and there is a ramp down to the bus.

 

 

The railroad does not run exactly beside the Canal although there are places along the way where you catch glimpses of the Canal. If you have difficulty walking and aren't primarily interested in the Canal, it's a good choice. If you are really interested in the Canal, I'd look at the Canal ferry boat tour. There you take a bus to the little dock in Gamboa where the boat leaves, you have a short walk to the boat, the ferry boat takes you through the Canal with narration, lunch, soda and water, shade, and then you reboard the bus back to the ship. Little walking, and great way to see the rest of the Canal.

 

 

Regards, Richard

[rbrugler]

Richard, thank you so much for your informative reply. You have talked us into the boat tour. I think it will be neat to say that we saw so much of the canal! Again, thank you!

[cb at sea]

You do know that you will see the lock's operation from your ship, as you make passage thru the canal!

[Richard in Panama]

You do know that you will see the lock's operation from your ship, as you make passage thru the canal!

 

OP said they were disembarking in Gatun Lake, ending up in Colon, so while they would see the operation at Gatun Locks, they would not see Culebra Cut, Pedro Miguel, Miraflores, both bridges, nor the new lock construction which is most visible on the Pacific side, all VERY interesting stuff! Regards, Richard

[take us away]

OP said they were disembarking in Gatun Lake, ending up in Colon, so while they would see the operation at Gatun Locks, they would not see Culebra Cut, Pedro Miguel, Miraflores, both bridges, nor the new lock construction which is most visible on the Pacific side, all VERY interesting stuff! Regards, Richard

 

Hard decision as we love the full transit, the scenery and the difference in the various locks plus the lecturers that come on for the transit so we stay on board. But seeing the locks up close and personal is also of interest as the Canal is fascinating. As they changed the gate / lock design for the new canal section, hope it lasts the >100 years as the current Canal.