Willamette Shore Trolley chugs back into Portland this summer

Catch up quick: The trolley's route was cut short after structural issues forced part of the track offline around the end of 2019.

• Following repairs, TriMet cleared the trolley to run last fall just in time for its holiday-themed rides, said Mark Kavanagh, spokesperson for the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society, which operates the trolley.

Flashback: The trolley, which was converted to battery power this year, is a replica of the cars that transported Portlanders up to Council Crest in the first half the 20th century, Kavanagh told Axios.

What to expect: Up to 36 people can take the leisurely ride that includes views of the Willamette River, passes some impressive homes, and goes through a century-old tunnel.

• The ride takes roughly 45 minutes each way.

My thought bubble: I recently took my kids on an evening trolley ride to LO, while my husband drove ahead so we could have dinner there without worrying about how we'd get home.

• It was a lovely way to spend a summer evening, though the conductor's frequent use of the train's whistle to alert passersby started to wear on both little and adult ears.

If you go: The trolley operates on weekends through the summer and early fall, between Bancroft Street in Portland and North State Street in Lake Oswego.

• Tickets go fast. One-way tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 2-12.