Angels Flight

For the funicular on Santa Catalina Island, see Island Mountain Railway. For the Michael Connelly novel, see Angels Flight (novel).

Angels Flight Railway
Angels Flight in 2017
Angels Flight is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Angels Flight
Angels Flight is located in California
Angels Flight
Angels Flight is located in the United States
Angels Flight
LocationHill Street, Los Angeles, California
Coordinates34°3′4.82″N 118°15′0.76″W / 34.0513389°N 118.2502111°W / 34.0513389; -118.2502111
Built1901
ArchitectMerceau Bridge & Construction Co.; Train & Williams
Architectural styleBeaux-Arts
Websiteangelsflight.org
NRHP reference No.00001168
LAHCM No.4
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 13, 2000[2]
Designated LAHCMAugust 6, 1962[1]

Angels Flight is a landmark and historic 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge funicular railway in the Bunker Hill district of Downtown Los Angeles, California. It has two funicular cars, named Olivet and Sinai, that run in opposite directions on a shared cable. The tracks cover a distance of 298 feet (91 m) over a vertical gain of 96 feet (29 m).[3]

The funicular has operated on two different sites, using the same cars and station elements. The original location, with trackage along the side of Third Street Tunnel and connecting Hill Street and Olive Street, operated from 1901 until 1969, when its site was cleared for redevelopment.

The current location opened half a block south of the original location in 1996, mid-block between 3rd and 4th Streets, with tracks connecting Hill Street and California Plaza.[3] It was shut down in 2001, following a fatal accident, and reopened in 2010.[4] It was closed again during June and July of 2011, and then again after a minor derailment incident in September of 2013. The investigation of this latter incident led to the discovery of potentially serious safety problems in both the design and the operation of the funicular.[5][6]

Before the 2013 service suspension, the cost of a one-way ride was 50 cents (25 cents for Metro pass holders). Although it was marketed primarily as a tourist novelty, it was frequently used by local workers to travel between the Downtown Historic Core and Bunker Hill. In 2015, the executive director of the nearby REDCAT arts center described the railroad as an important "economic link," and there was pressure for the city to fund and re-open the railroad.[3] After safety enhancements were completed, Angels Flight reopened for public service in August of 2017, charging $1 for a one-way ride (50 cents for TAP card users).[7][8]

  1. ^ "History of the Cultural Heritage Commission". Archived from the original on September 16, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  2. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Nelson, Laura J. & Branson-Potts, Hailey (July 23, 2015). "L.A. Business and Cultural Leaders Want to See an Angels Flight Plan". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ DiMassa, Cara Mia (March 15, 2010). "Angels Flight Rides Again". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 22, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  5. ^ Schaefer, Samantha (September 5, 2013). "Angels Flight Car Comes off Track, Stranding Australian Tourist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference NTSB2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference LAT-2017-08-25 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "Angels Flight Railway". Angels Flight Railway Company. Retrieved May 30, 2018.