Last Year John Goldrick of Ledbury, England visited Panama and rode the Banana train in Almirante near Bocas del Toro. John heard that the train would soon stop running and be disassembled and sold for scrap metal. Being a train buff he tried hard to find anyone who could forestall the demise of this historic relic. Unfortunately scrap prices and other costs made it impractical to save. Even so, John saved a bit of the history by photographing and making the story available on the net. Here is his note to me and his photos site. If you like trains you should visit.
Hi Sam,
It is amazing how my 2005 visit to Panama keeps on running………………….
As I understand it, the Almirante Railroad is now no more. It drew to its inevitable conclusion and went the way of most, if not all of the other Central American Banana Railroads, with the last of its locos being dispatched to Mozambique. Realistically nothing could have been done. Complete closure was inevitable.
However, I found the correspondence that ensued to explore the chances of alternative options very rewarding. I have particularly enjoyed conversing with Clyde Stephens of Bocas and Florida. I now have a copy of his fascinating Banana People book and copies of a railroad chapter from an earlier publication.
This has inspired to me document my visit in more detail and I have chose an Internet format to do this. It is my contribution to Banana and Panamanian History!
I wish to share it with you, too, because I also much appreciated your interest. Without it, this small contribution would not have happened.
I hope you enjoy it,
John
Just finished reading "The Ral Story Behind Panama's Tourism numbers.
Paul, for many years I have tried to break through the wall at IPAT. Your article nails the problem. Over the years IPAT has used figures that are suspect. Ho do they classify the women that travel from Jamaica to Panama to shop at the Free Zone, this applies to any other such type traveler.
Panama has so much more to offer in the way of tourism than any other country in Central Americ. We ahve two oceas within one hour, a fresh water lake in between, five native indian tribes, ruins from the colonial period, great bird watching, great fishing. Finally the Crown Jewel of Panama Tourism "The Panama Canal"
We send over 1,000 clients to Panama each year, the majority are generated by us by our web site and advertising.
At one time I approached IPAT and asked them as to the disposition of request for information on Panama. I drew a blank on that one these leads seem to die within the Black Hole of IPAT.
Hope that you can jar them loose from padding the figures and that Panama takes a real hard look at their "Tourism Industry"
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Davis Stevenson | December 27, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Just finished reading "The Ral Story Behind Panama's Tourism numbers.
Paul, for many years I have tried to break through the wall at IPAT. Your article nails the problem. Over the years IPAT has used figures that are suspect. Ho do they classify the women that travel from Jamaica to Panama to shop at the Free Zone, this applies to any other such type traveler.
Panama has so much more to offer in the way of tourism than any other country in Central Americ. We ahve two oceas within one hour, a fresh water lake in between, five native indian tribes, ruins from the colonial period, great bird watching, great fishing. Finally the Crown Jewel of Panama Tourism "The Panama Canal"
We send over 1,000 clients to Panama each year, the majority are generated by us by our web site and advertising.
At one time I approached IPAT and asked them as to the disposition of request for information on Panama. I drew a blank on that one these leads seem to die within the Black Hole of IPAT.
Hope that you can jar them loose from padding the figures and that Panama takes a real hard look at their "Tourism Industry"
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Davis Stevenson | December 27, 2007 at 12:07 PM