Billed as the shortest railway in the world, the Angels Flight Railway is a funicular is located in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles and is one of the more iconic fixtures in the city. Although an accident in 2001 has resulted in the Angels Flight Railway remaining closed from then until now, a possible reopening has been announced several times and could be on the horizon.



The Angels Flight Railway that stands today is actually the second incarnation of the unique transportation system. It was originally referred to as the Los Angeles Incline Railway and it opened in 1901, using engines and gravity to facilitate the continued running of the railway. For 68 years, the Los Angeles Incline Railway operated with a good safety record, but it was closed in 1969 after the gentrification of Bunker Hill.

Funicular railroad technology is not uncommon in other parts of the world. In fact, for several cities in other countries, funicular railroads are as common as buses and as commonly used, allowing a simple transportation method that requires no human interaction in order to get it going. As far as Angels Flight, it was a handy way to get up the hill without having to walk, and the ride was exciting for tourists.

Because of its uniqueness when compared to other areas of public transportation, Angels Flight has remained a cultural fixture, especially to natives of Los Angeles and Bunker Hill. Several movies and television shows have prominently featured Angels Flight, whether in passing or as the focus of the entire plot. It was also the name of a band that was based in Texas through the 1980s and 1990s.

Officials say that Angels Flight will be reopened in late 2008, and as 2009 approaches, we can only hope that the Los Angeles icon will be up and running again soon.