Astoria, OR — Funding Needed

May 2012

Funding will be needed to keep the vintage trolley in tourist service at Astoria, according to a story in the Daily Astorian published on the Oregon Public Broadcasting site.

Locals consider the trolley as a symbol of their city, helping tourists to discover the area and serving as a reminder of the area's history to local residents. But time is catching up with the lone car, which is now nearly 100 years old.

The car needs parts which the Riverfront Trolley Board does not have. They have located a supply of parts in Canada which they can purchase for $50,000. The money, which the board hopes to obtain from urban renewal funds, would help because the passengers only pay $1, he said. If the price increases some people would stop riding the trolley.

Members are expected to ask the city of Astoria Development Commission at either the June 4 or June 18 meeting for the funds, said board president and Mayor Willis Van Dusen.

The trolley, also known as Old 300, has been a main attraction in the city of Astoria since it was purchased in 1999 from the San Antonio Museum Association.

Trolley service officially ended in San Antonio in 1933. Old 300 previously served the Willamette Shore Trolley Line from Portland to Lake Oswego, before going to Gales Creek, then Glenwood. But ultimately the city of Astoria bought the trolley. It runs from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After Memorial Day, it will begin seven-day-a-week service.

It seats 40 people and costs $1 to ride roundtrip or $2 for the day.

It was built in 1913 and weighs 20 tons. The route goes from the East End Mooring Basin to the West End Mooring Basin. The trolley sees between 35,000 and 40,000 riders a year.