While Los Angeles quietly built the country’s longest light rail line in 2023, the city has also been home to “the world’s shortest railway” for over a century! Angels Flight Railway is a 298-foot funicular railway in Downtown L.A. dating back to 1901, bridging the 96-foot vertical gap between Hill Street and Grant Ave. Here’s what stands out about this underrated L.A. landmark.
History of Angels Flight Railway
Colonel J.W. Eddy opened the “Los Angeles Incline Railway” in 1901 between Hill and Olive Streets. Over 2,000 people turned out to ride the new railway on opening day, and it continued to serve locals and tourists alike until 1969, when the city dismantled it for urban development.
The two original rail cars, named Sinai and Olivet after two mountains in the Bible, sat in storage for 27 years until the city rebuilt the railway in 1996. It was re-installed a half-block away from its original location, and the two cars remain in service to this day. An estimated 100 million passengers have ridden the railway in total.
The funicular operates with a system of counterbalancing, meaning that the weight of the descending car helps to pull the ascending car up the track. As such, the engine at the top need only compensate for the difference in weight of the passengers, making the system more energy efficient than many other transit systems.
Cultural impact and film cameos
The Angels Flight Railway has of course reached legend status, achieving designation as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and recognition in the National Register of Historic Places.
Local film buffs will also know that the railway makes appearances in over 100 movies and TV shows, including La La Land (2016), 500 Days of Summer (2009), Criss Cross (1949), and Kiss Me Deadly (1955).
Tips for visiting Angels Flight Railway
Even though the Angels Flight ride is just 298 feet long, it saves riders the hassle of climbing a steep set of stairs in DTLA. The one-minute ride ascends 96 feet from Hill Street to Grand Avenue. It’s located only a block away from Grand Central Market, The Broad, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Here’s some essential info at a glance:
📍 Location: Lower entrance is at 351 South Hill Street; upper entrance is at California Plaza, 350 South Grand Ave.
🕜 Hours: Open daily from 6:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
🎟️ Fare: The fare is $1 each way. You can also purchase a round-trip souvenir ticket for $2. TAP Card users can pay with stored value and get a $0.50 discount.
🌐 Website: Angels Flight Railway