ANGELS FLIGHTLocation: 350 S. Grand Ave.
Accessibility: Easy Created: 1901 |
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In the heart of downtown Los Angeles is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city: Angels Flight. Constructed in 1901 the funicular railway with its two cars, Sinai and Olivet, transported passengers from Hill Street to Olive Street. In November of 1952, a plaque was erected in Angels Flight’s honor to commemorate its 50th Anniversary. The plaque reads: “Built in 1901 by Colonel J.W. Eddy, lawyer, engineer, and friend of President Abraham Lincoln, Angels Flight is said to be the world’s shortest incorporated railway. The counterbalanced cars, controlled by cables, travel a 33 percent grade for 315 feet. It is estimated that Angels Flight has carried more passengers per mile than any other railway in the world, over a hundred million in its first fifty years. This incline railway is a public utility operating under a franchise granted by the City of Los Angeles.”
When Bunker Hill underwent a complete redevelopment, the railway closed on May 18, 1969, and Sinai and Olivet were stored underground. After twenty-seven years, the two cars saw the light of day again when the funicular was rebuilt and reopened half a block from the original site. Angels Flight now carries passengers from Hill Street to Grand Avenue. But the grandeur of the newly opened railway would not last long. Tragedy struck on February 1, 2001, when Sinai reversed direction and accelerated downhill striking into Olivet which claimed the life of a passenger and injured several others.
Once again the railway closed and underwent renovation. It was reopened to the public on March 15, 2010, only to cease operations due to damages on the steel wheels of the cars. After wheel replacement and another reopening, Angels Flight saw the familiar face of misfortune when one car derailed on September 5th, 2013 but luckily the passengers were uninjured and rescued by firefighters.
After concrete plans were made for safety upgrades, Angels Flight reopened to the delighted public on August 31, 2017, and has been transporting passengers since. The railway has become a Hollywood star, being featured in the 1947 film, The Unfaithful as well as the Perry Mason and Dragnet TV series and a popular scene with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in La La Land. Open daily, seven days a week, including holidays, Angels Flight is a must experience landmark for those passing through LA and those who call LA home. Join us as we take a ride on Angels Flight.
When Bunker Hill underwent a complete redevelopment, the railway closed on May 18, 1969, and Sinai and Olivet were stored underground. After twenty-seven years, the two cars saw the light of day again when the funicular was rebuilt and reopened half a block from the original site. Angels Flight now carries passengers from Hill Street to Grand Avenue. But the grandeur of the newly opened railway would not last long. Tragedy struck on February 1, 2001, when Sinai reversed direction and accelerated downhill striking into Olivet which claimed the life of a passenger and injured several others.
Once again the railway closed and underwent renovation. It was reopened to the public on March 15, 2010, only to cease operations due to damages on the steel wheels of the cars. After wheel replacement and another reopening, Angels Flight saw the familiar face of misfortune when one car derailed on September 5th, 2013 but luckily the passengers were uninjured and rescued by firefighters.
After concrete plans were made for safety upgrades, Angels Flight reopened to the delighted public on August 31, 2017, and has been transporting passengers since. The railway has become a Hollywood star, being featured in the 1947 film, The Unfaithful as well as the Perry Mason and Dragnet TV series and a popular scene with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in La La Land. Open daily, seven days a week, including holidays, Angels Flight is a must experience landmark for those passing through LA and those who call LA home. Join us as we take a ride on Angels Flight.