The railroad in The Panama Canal documentary (1980)

This post features several railroad shots filmed between 1978 and 1979 for the documentary The Panama Canal by Kaw Valley Film & Videos, released in 1980, just before the railroad was transferred to Panamanian administration.

The first shot shows locomotive 903 leading a passenger service northbound, exiting the Miraflores tunnel.

Immediately after, an aerial view and a cab-ride shot from one of the locomotives passing through the jungle section of the railroad line.

At the 30-second mark, a view of the old railroad freight cars in the Balboa yard, painted yellow.

At the 55-second mark, a sunset shot from Frijoles station as the train departs southbound.

At one minute and 12 seconds, a southbound train led by an SW1200 locomotive, followed by a crossing of the Gamboa bridge.

At 1:37, an excellent shot of a southbound train arriving at Gatún station, taken from the vehicular bridge located north of the station.

Ten seconds later, a shot from Cerro Luisa showing a southbound train arriving at Pedro Miguel.

To conclude, several aerial shots of a southbound train passing along the railroad causeway in the Monte Lirio area.

This audiovisual document is a gem for history, as it shows the condition and operation of the railroad just before it was reverted to Panamanian administration in October 1979.