From the annals of corporate ambition –  In 1892, the Pan American Railway company was chartered. Boston investors dreamed up a plan to connect Victoria, Texas with Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.  Citizens of Victoria – anxious to expand their railroad opportunities – offered a $150,000 bonus.  The dream died quickly as only 10 miles of track extending south from Victoria were ever constructed.  The company could not raise funds to construct a bridge over the Guadalupe River.  One wonders how they imagined conquering the swamps of southern Panama.  No trains ever ran on the line and it was ultimately abandoned.  Interestingly, there is still not a direct land link between North and South America today.