the railroad from portland to astoria was completed on april 4, 1898, but the first train, carrying 700 people, did not arrive until may 16. rail service was able to advertise travel from portland to astoria in three and one-half hours. the fast time of a steamer on the portland-astoria river route was that of telephone, which on july 4, 1887, made the 105 mile trip in 4 hours and 34¾ minutes. completion of the railroad cut down sharply on the demand for river steamer service between portland and astoria.