LA’s own Angels Flight has long and storied history with more twists and turns than any other railway that pretty much only goes straight up and down.

You also need to know where it is and how much it costs to ride. We have the answers to these and other burning questions.

How long is the Angels Flight railway?

298 feet

Where exactly is Angels Flight?

The railway’s Top Station is at California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave. The Lower Station is at 351 S. Hill St., across from Grand Central Market.

How much does it cost to ride Angels Flight?

The fare is $1. That’s for one way. Holders of Metro passes and TAP cards can ride for 50 cents each way. Discount coupon books good for 40 rides in a 30-day period are available.

Does Angels Flight have an official website?

https://angelsflight.org

What is a “funicular” railway, anyway?

Angels Flight is a funicular railway, which uses a cable attached to a pair of rail cars, moving them up and down as they counterbalance each other.

How wide are the Angels Flight tracks?

Angels Flight is considered a “narrow gauge” railway, with 2 feet and 6 inches between the two tracks. For comparison’s sake, a “standard gauge” railroad has 4 feet 8 1/2 inches between the tracks.

Did Angels Flight ever change locations?

Yes. From 1901 to 1969, Angels Flight connected Hill and Olive streets. The area was closed in 1969 for the controversial redevelopment of Bunker Hill.

The railway’s cars and equipment were stored for 27 years, and Angels Flight re-opened a half-block to the south in 1996, connecting Hill Street and California Plaza.

Did Angels Flight ever kill anybody?

Yes. The funicular railway was shut down in 2001 after a rail car reversed direction and sped down the hill, striking the railway’s other car, killing an 83-year-old man and injuring seven others. The emergency brakes on both cars were inoperative, the National Transportation Safety Board determined.

After the accident, when did Angels Flight reopen?

The railway re-opened in March 2010. It closed in June 2011 due to wear on the railcars’ steel wheels. It reopened in July 2011.

But wait, didn’t another guy die at Angels Flight?

Way back in 1943, a sailor was trying to walk up the track. He was crushed beneath one of the rail cars.

Was there another accident?

Yes. A car derailed in September 2013. There were no injuries. But the train’s brake system had been disabled by use of a small tree branch. The railway was closed once again.

But it reopened again this year, right?

Yes. Angels Flight reopened on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. The honeymoon was short. The railway was closed for maintenance on Monday, Sept. 4., when a roller that keeps the cars in alignment was shattered.

When is Angels Flight expected to reopen THIS TIME?

The company that runs the railway says it is slated to reopen Thursday, Sept. 7.

Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_Flight and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funicular)