Rail transport in Central America consists of several isolated railroad lines with freight or passenger service. The most famous one is Panama Canal Railway, the oldest transcontinental railroad in the world, connecting Panama City with Colón since 1855. Other railroads in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama were built by private and public investors mainly to facilitate the transport of local agricultural produce (bananas, coconuts, coffee) to export markets and harbors. Their market share and profitability went into decline in the second half of the twentieth century and most lines have been decommissioned by the end of 1990s. As of 2010, railroads operate locally in El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama only; all rail transport has been suspended in Belize, Guatemala and Nicaragua. None of the operating railways crosses national borders.
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