Lake Oswego, OR
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-24- TypeSeasonal heritage trolley between Lake Oswego and Portland
- LocationLake Oswego, OR
- Rating4.9 ★45 Google reviews
- Typical rideAbout 40 minutes one way; the city describes about 90 minutes for a round trip
- Tickets & fares$11 adult one way; $10 senior or military; $6 ages 2-12; age 2 and under free
- AccessibilityThe trolley is not wheelchair accessible and has three boarding steps
About Willamette Shore Trolley
Willamette Shore Trolley is a seasonal heritage operation run by the volunteer Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society under contract with the City of Lake Oswego. Its 5.25-mile line links the Lake Oswego depot with Portland's South Waterfront, passing river scenery, high trestles, and the 1,396-foot Elk Rock Tunnel. The current timetable allows riders to start at either end, but every online ticket is one-way and return travel requires a second ticket or another transportation plan.
Plan a Willamette Shore Trolley Ride
Choose the visit that fits your groupVisitors planning a round trip or one-way city connection
Choose the correct direction
Book Lake Oswego-to-Portland or Portland-to-Lake Oswego separately; online tickets are one-way.
Railfans, families, and Portland-area visitors
Ride the complete heritage corridor
Travel through river scenery, wooded right-of-way, high trestles, and the dark Elk Rock Tunnel.
Riders boarding in Portland
Use the current Portland stop
Follow the live advisory to the Tesla Building at 4333 S. Macadam Avenue until the operator withdraws it.
History travelers and downtown Lake Oswego visitors
Add Lake Oswego local history
Pair the trolley with the free Oswego Heritage House museum, rotating exhibits, rose garden, and iron-industry interpretation.
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Willamette Shore Trolley. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Remaining datesAugust 29-30; September 5-7, 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27
- Lake Oswego departures through September 710 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, plus Labor Day
- Portland departures through September 711 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, plus Labor Day
- September 12-27 departuresLake Oswego noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m.; Portland 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m.
- Ride durationAbout 40 minutes one way; the city describes about 90 minutes for a round trip
- Fares$11 adult one way; $10 senior or military; $6 ages 2-12; age 2 and under free
- Ticket ruleOnline tickets are one-way, not refundable, not assigned, and valid only for the purchased date and time
- ArrivalArrive 15 minutes before departure
- AccessibilityThe trolley is not wheelchair accessible and has three boarding steps
- Lake Oswego terminal311 North State Street; nearby municipal parking is free
- Portland terminal advisoryUntil further notice, board at 4333 S. Macadam Avenue in front of the Tesla Building
- First unpublished periodOctober 2026; charters are separate and available year-round
Find the Depot
The Trains
The official history identifies the current operating type as a modern-built Vintage Trolley patterned after Portland Council Crest cars. Vintage Trolleys 513 and 514 are residents of the operation and previously ran on MAX and Portland Streetcar. Historic Blackpool double-decker No. 48 and a Portland Brill Master Unit are retired to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum, so this guide does not present them as current service equipment.
History
The corridor began as a narrow-gauge steam railroad in the 1880s.
Southern Pacific electrified the line for Red Electric interurban service.
Elk Rock Tunnel opened, replacing the exposed riverfront trestle route.
Regular passenger service ended; freight continued for more than five decades.
Willamette Shore Trolley heritage operation began.
Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society resumed operation of the trolley.
See full history
The right-of-way began as an 1880s narrow-gauge steam railroad between Portland, Oswego, and the Willamette Valley. Southern Pacific later converted it to standard gauge and electrified the line in 1914 for Red Electric interurban service. The Elk Rock Tunnel opened in 1921; passenger service ended in 1929 and freight continued until 1983. Local governments acquired the threatened corridor after Southern Pacific sought abandonment, and heritage trolley operation began in 1987. The Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society resumed operation in 1995.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dates remain in 2026?
August 29-30 and September 5-7, 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27.
Does one ticket cover a round trip?
No. Online tickets cover one direction only; buy a second ticket for the return trip.
Where do I board in Portland?
Until further notice, the official advisory moves boarding to 4333 S. Macadam Avenue in front of the Tesla Building.
Is the trolley wheelchair accessible?
No. The operator lists three steps from boarding to the passenger seating area.
How early should I arrive?
Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.
Are seats assigned or tickets refundable?
Seats are not assigned, and the operator says tickets are not refundable.
Can I bring a dog?
Small well-behaved lap dogs are usually accepted; larger dogs depend on capacity, and the operating crew has final say.
What if I miss the last trolley?
The operator points riders to TriMet route 35 with the appropriate transit fare.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 24, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official 2026 schedule, fares, ticket rules, terminals, accessibility, and dog policy
- Official July 2026 Portland terminal advisory
- Official operator history, equipment, address, and phone
- City of Lake Oswego route, ownership, distance, duration, and parking overview
- Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society organization background
- Wikimedia Commons exact-line media search
