Astoria Trolley P1010174
Astoria Riverfront Trolley, Astoria Oregon, November 2003. Car 300 originally hails from Texas, having been built in 1913 by the American Car Company for the San Antonio Traction Company. Following retirement in 1933, car 300 was placed on display outside a San Antonio museum, where it languished until 1981, when it was adopted and restored by local trolley enthusiasts. The restoration was aided by the availability of parts from the body of a sister car (reportedly No. 311), which had been in use as a local residence. Restoration included replacement of the original running gear with trucks from New Orleans that were converted to standard gauge, (San Antonio had an odd four-foot track gauge). Beginning in 1982, car 300 was operated on the Pearl Brewery trackage in San Antonio. After tourist operations over this trackage ended, the trolley found its way to Oregon on a lease, and was used for a time on the Willamette Shore Trolley operating out of Lake Oswego.
In 1998, ARTA obtained a lease on the car in exchange for the promise to refurbish it and keep it stored under cover. The car was extensively refurbished by ARTA volunteers, and was initially kept in a small makeshift shelter accessed by one of the many industrial sidings along the line. A dedicated maintenance building was opened in October 2001, and in 2005 the group purchased the trolley outright.
Astoria Trolley P1010174
Astoria Riverfront Trolley, Astoria Oregon, November 2003. Car 300 originally hails from Texas, having been built in 1913 by the American Car Company for the San Antonio Traction Company. Following retirement in 1933, car 300 was placed on display outside a San Antonio museum, where it languished until 1981, when it was adopted and restored by local trolley enthusiasts. The restoration was aided by the availability of parts from the body of a sister car (reportedly No. 311), which had been in use as a local residence. Restoration included replacement of the original running gear with trucks from New Orleans that were converted to standard gauge, (San Antonio had an odd four-foot track gauge). Beginning in 1982, car 300 was operated on the Pearl Brewery trackage in San Antonio. After tourist operations over this trackage ended, the trolley found its way to Oregon on a lease, and was used for a time on the Willamette Shore Trolley operating out of Lake Oswego.
In 1998, ARTA obtained a lease on the car in exchange for the promise to refurbish it and keep it stored under cover. The car was extensively refurbished by ARTA volunteers, and was initially kept in a small makeshift shelter accessed by one of the many industrial sidings along the line. A dedicated maintenance building was opened in October 2001, and in 2005 the group purchased the trolley outright.