Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States California Los Angeles Angels Flight

Angels Flight

Historic funicular railway, believed to be the shortest railroad in the world.

Los Angeles, California

Added By
anhie
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Bottom of the station  
At the top of the station   http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailymatador/...
Ticket station   http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailymatador/...
  hibbibi / Atlas Obscura User
  hibbibi / Atlas Obscura User
  joeypesto / Atlas Obscura User
  joeypesto / Atlas Obscura User
  joeypesto / Atlas Obscura User
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
Angel’s Flight under repair (May, 2017)   James Ricci / Atlas Obscura User
View of Angels Flight Railway from Angels Knoll Park  
Overlooking the incredible Grand Central Market (also worth a visit)   tylskie / Atlas Obscura User
  Avoiding Regret
  Avoiding Regret
  Avoiding Regret
Angel’s Flight still requires substantial maintenance periodically.   James Ricci / Atlas Obscura User
Fresh coat of primer paint, circa June 2017   Avoiding Regret
Restoration effort, circa 2017   Avoiding Regret
Upper station, circa June 2017   Avoiding Regret
Minifigures and Angels Flight   cincinim / Atlas Obscura User
  Kristin Whitlow
  Kristin Whitlow
Angels Flight   Nan Palmero
Angels Flight)   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
Angels Flight entrance   Keren Lynn / Atlas Obscura User
View waiting to board Angels Flight   Keren Lynn / Atlas Obscura User
Setting on Angel Flight   springer / Atlas Obscura User
  mate / Atlas Obscura User
  mate / Atlas Obscura User
  mate / Atlas Obscura User
  hibbibi / Atlas Obscura User
  chasepopt / Atlas Obscura User
  hibbibi / Atlas Obscura User
  hibbibi / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Established in 1901, the Angels Flight railway has carried millions of Angelenos up and down the steep incline of Bunker Hill. Though the 315-foot trip only lasts thirty seconds, it is believed that Angels Flight has carried more passengers per mile than any other railway in the world, making it not only the shortest in length, but also the most traveled. Despite its popularity, the Angels Flight line has faced its fair share of setbacks. The original railway was forced to close in 1969 as the surrounding area faced heavy commercialization. The famous orange trolley carts were kept in storage for twenty-seven years until the line reopened in 1996 - this time, just half a block south from the original site.

For the most part, the railway suffered few technical malfunctions until 2001, when a serious accident killed one passenger and seriously injured a few others. The National Transportation Safety Board deemed a "design failure" as the cause, and the historic line remained closed for the following nine years.

It reopened to much fanfare in March 2010 and then shut back down after a minor derailment in 2013. It reopened in 2017 and the counterbalanced cars, named Olivet and Sinai, have been running ever since.

 

Related Tags

Inventions Retro Tech Trains Railroads Funicular

Know Before You Go

A ride each way costs $1.

Community Contributors

Added By

anhie

Edited By

Chaos, AdventureKyles, bsuto, hunterp...

  • Chaos
  • AdventureKyles
  • bsuto
  • hunterp
  • kommissarkenkane
  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • Avoiding Regret
  • James Ricci
  • tylskie
  • cincinim
  • Keren Lynn
  • breaingram
  • springer
  • In Search of the Perfect Sunset
  • nanpalmero
  • cait7911
  • hibbibi
  • mate
  • chasepopt
  • joeypesto

Published

March 25, 2010

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23044083
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_Flight
  • http://www.uncanny.net/~wetzel/bunkerhill.htm
  • http://ktla.com/2017/03/01/downtown-l-a-s-historic-angels-flight-to-reopen-by-labor-day-with-new-private-operator/
  • http://www.avoidingregret.com/2017/06/this-angels-getting-its-wings-back.html
  • http://www.urban75.org/photos/sussex/hastings-west-hill-east-hill-railways.html
Angels Flight
351 South Hill Street
Los Angeles, California, 90013
United States
34.050939, -118.249776
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Bradbury Building

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Biddy Mason Memorial Park

Los Angeles, California

miles away

The Last Bookstore

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Los Angeles

Los Angeles

California

Places 237
Stories 60

Nearby Places

Bradbury Building

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Biddy Mason Memorial Park

Los Angeles, California

miles away

The Last Bookstore

Los Angeles, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Los Angeles

Los Angeles

California

Places 237
Stories 60

Related Stories and Lists

15 Surprisingly Romantic Places in Los Angeles

List

By Michelle Cassidy

The Gnarled History of Los Angeles's Vineyards

food

By Paula Mejia

11 Places Newly Renovated, Reopened, or Reimagined

temples

By Kerry Wolfe

14 Amazing, Gravity-Defying Funiculars

railroads

By Eric Grundhauser

Related Places

  • Wellington Cable Car.

    Wellington, New Zealand

    Wellington Cable Car

    New Zealand's only running funicular railway.

  • Žaliakalnis Funicular Railway.

    Kaunas, Lithuania

    Žaliakalnis Funicular Railway

    The oldest funicular in Lithuania has been climbing this steep hill since 1931.

  • Stoosbahn.

    Schwyz, Switzerland

    Stoosbahn Funicular

    The steepest classic funicular in the world glides along a dizzying incline.

  • Bridgnorth Cliff Railway.

    Bridgnorth, England

    Bridgnorth Cliff Railway

    This charming railway is one of the oldest and steepest funiculars in England.

  • The White Pass Railroad and Yukon Railroad

    Skagway, Alaska

    White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad

    A historic freight system that found the true gold rush is in tourism.

  • Engineer readies the steam locomotive

    Darmstadt, Germany

    Darmstadt Railway Museum

    1898 German railroad depot museum with working engines, steam train excursions, and hands-on displays.

  • Vișeu de Sus, Romania

    Vaser Valley Forestry Railway

    The last active narrow-gauge forest railway in Europe.

  • Interior of the historic roundhouse.

    Baltimore, Maryland

    The B&O Railroad Museum

    At the birthplace of American railroading, a world-class collection of historic trains.

    Sponsored by Visit Maryland
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.