25 years of the Astoria Riverfront Trolley

Published 9:00 am Tuesday, August 6, 2024

ASTORIA — An open house event hosted by The Astoria Riverfront Trolley Association will offer tours of the Astoria Trolley Barn, including the newest addition to its fleet, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The event is being held to commemorate the 25th year of Old 300, the signature red trolley that plies the city’s waterfront.

Old 300 was built in 1913 by the American Car Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, for the San Antonio Traction Co. in San Antonio, Texas, where it ran for several years before trolleys were replaced by buses.

The trolley eventually found its way to Astoria for restoration, and in 1999, carried its first passengers between Uniontown and Pier 39. After 25 years, it still costs $1 to ride.

Also open for tours during the event will be a newer addition to the trolley barn, Tram No. 183.

The yellow and white car was built in 1917 in Adelaide, South Australia, and ran in Melbourne until 1935. It was then renamed No. 30 for service in Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, where it remained until 1971.

In recent years, the trolley suffered damage from a fire while on display in Portland. It was under complete restoration in Willits, California, until last year, when it was acquired on the North Coast. The car seats 36 passengers on its 32-foot, 6-inch frame.

Some refreshments and snacks will be available during the open house. For more details, call 971-320-4182 or visit www.old300.org.