The Willamette Bridge Railway Company has the distinction of having built and operated not only the first steam motor line, but also the first electric street railway road in the state of Oregon. This company has really achieved many substantial results during the year just closed, having built and put in successful operation during last period over fifteen miles of new road.
The steam motor line crossing the Morrison street bridge was extended from Sunnyside to Mount Tabor; was double-tracked and equipped with two large Baldwin motors and four Pullman cars. A large and commodious car and round-house was built at Mount Tabor. The company has also built a number of elegant stations in the Japanese style, all along the route. Thirty-four trips are made each way every twenty-four hours, and the travel both ways is something enormous. The cars are elegant and comfortable, and the road quite safe and well constructed.
The trip over this line to Albina is a very pleasant one. The project of building, a road to connect this important suburb to Portland, has been so long in nubibus, and a pet theory of real estate man, that people remained incredulous until the last moment.
The cars start from Third and G [Glisan] streets, Portland. They cross the steel bridge at a rapid, steady pace, and then on through Albina. The [Albina] power house is situated on the east side of the river. Each car has batteries on it containing 30-horse power. The road has been well constructed and riding on it is pleasant and easy. That the road fills an important public need is evidenced by the amount of travel commands, even at the beginning. The company operates five cars and the waits at either terminus are exceedingly brief. The cars are easily stopped or set in motion, and it is claimed that they are no more dangerous, if carefully handled, than any other method of rapid transit. The method of operation by overhead wires is very plain and simple. The entire road was built by a local company and its success is perfect and complete. The road was completed for travel on November 1. The company has a large car house in Albina.
The St. Johns motor line connects the Albina electric line at Elliot and follows the river to the beautiful hamlet of St. Johns. This road is about six miles long and passes through a delightful country that is rapidly settling up.
Elegant Pullman cars will be placed on this line, the company believing that fine rolling stock stimulates travel.
The Willamette Bridge Railway company has also leased the roadway of the steel bridge for a term of years, and began operating it last February. The offices are H. C. Campbell, president; C. F. Swigert, secretary and treasurer; J. Campbell, general superintendent. The lines of this company, connecting as they do, Portland proper with its principal suburbs, is patronized to an extent undreamed of a few years ago. The growth of travel is so steady that the company is compelled to keep orders constantly ahead for new coaches. The lines, extending south and north on Fifth street, East Portland, also carry thousands of passengers daily, giving perfect satisfaction.