Yet another short-lived company that never lived up to its promises. Founded by Thomas McCusker and L. Y. Keady (who were also behind a simultaneous effort to build a streetcar subway under the Willamette River), the company planned to build a standard-gauge electric line from Sellwood to St. Johns that would have passed through the industrial inner East Side, competing with the Southern Pacific and O. R. & N. for freight business there.
The main line railroads did not welcome this competition, and a long dispute over franchise rights on East Third street began. Finally, the Belt Line company was forced to amend their proposed franchise to use Union Avenue instead of Third. This franchise was submitted to the Portland council in June 1906, but it seems that no construction work ever began.
| Years of Operation: | |
|---|---|
| Preceded By: | None |
| Succeeded By: | None |