Angels Flight Funicular
Los Angeles, CA
This funicular railway was originally built as the Los Angeles Incline Railway J.W. Eddy in 1901 to carry passengers 315 feet up a 33% grade from the corner of Hill and Third Streets up to Olive Street on Bunker Hill. A historic plaque posted at the top of the hill in 1952 asserts that it was the world's shortest incorporated railway and that it had "carried more passengers per mile than any other railway in the world."
The equipment was placed in storage in 1969 during the urban renewal of Bunker Hill. It was reassembled and reopened in 1996 between Third and Fourth Streets, one half block south of its original site. At 298 feet, the line was slightly shorter than the original. A poor redesign of the drive system and inadequate maintenance resulted in a 2001 fatal accident that caused suspension of service until 2008. (AngelsFlight.org)
The corner of Fourth and Hill Streets
View from the north on Hill
View from the east across Hill
View from the east across Hill
Car
Looking up the track
Riding up the hill (partial video) (video)
At the top
Upper station
Upper station
Looking downhill
1952 plaque
Two California Plaza at the top of the hill
Upper station
Urban renewal to the north
Urban renewal to the north at the original location