East Side Railway
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | May 12, 1892 |
| Founder | George A. Steel, James Steel |
| Defunct | February 1, 1901 |
| Fate | Purchased by Portland City and Oregon Railway |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Oregon (Portland to Oregon City) |
| Products | Electrified interurban rail service |
The East Side Railway was a transportation enterprise based in Oregon, founded in 1892 with the purpose of constructing an electrified interurban rail connection linking Portland to Oregon City along the eastern bank of the Willamette River. This 14-mile route commenced operations in 1893 but encountered financial challenges, resulting in its purchase by the Portland City and Oregon Railway in 1901.
History
Businessman and politician George A. Steel, together with his brother James—who already managed streetcar lines in Portland—established the East Side Railway. Their goal was to extend their transit network. The company was officially incorporated on May 12, 1892, after acquiring an earlier organization with the same name that had proposed a line to Eugene, Oregon. Construction toward Oregon City started promptly, and the fully electrified (600 V DC) route opened on February 16, 1893.
Contrary to initial projections, passenger numbers were lower than anticipated, leading to receivership by late 1893. Joseph Simon took on the role of receiver while the Steel brothers maintained operational control. On February 1, 1901, the Portland City and Oregon Railway purchased the East Side Railway, which subsequently became part of the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company network. Passenger service along the original corridor ceased in 1958. The southern portion near Oregon City and Milwaukie, Oregon has been repurposed as the Trolley Trail rail trail.