Downtown LA’s Cutest Orange Funicular Has Been Defying Gravity For Locals & Tourists Since 1901

Angels Flight Railway, Los Angeles

Downtown LA’s got the shortest, steepest, and most charming railway you’ll ever ride. Angels Flight has been hauling locals up Bunker Hill since 1901, one 298-foot trip at a time.

The two vintage orange cars still click-clack their way up tracks that once connected Victorian mansions to the city’s busiest shopping district. Here’s why it’s the best dollar you’ll ever spend in the City of Angels.

LA’s Tiny Railway That Broke Records

Angels Flight Railway stretches just 298 feet long and climbs 96 feet up in downtown Los Angeles. This narrow railway (2 ft 6 in) runs on a 33% grade, making it one of the steepest railways in the country.

It’s actually in the Guinness World Record books for being so short and has given rides to over 100 million people since 1901.

Built By Lincoln’s Friend In Only Four Months

Colonel J.W. Eddy built Angels Flight in 1901, and it’s still running in 2025, which means it’s 124 years old now. Eddy finished building it in just 120 days. That’s pretty amazing construction speed even today.

Back when it opened, you could ride for just one penny. This year, they’re celebrating their 100 millionth rider with special souvenir tickets you can keep.

Meet Sinai And Olivet, The Biblical Railcars

The two bright orange and black cars are named Sinai and Olivet after mountains in the Bible. Each wooden car has 16 seats built like steps to handle the steep climb. The cars work together on a simple balance system.

When one goes up, the other comes down on the same cable. These are the original cars from 1901, though they’ve been fixed up many times over the years.

The Railway That Moved Neighborhoods

The Angels Flight you ride today isn’t where it started out. It ran at Third and Hill Streets until 1969, when it was taken apart during city updates.

The cars and tracks sat in storage for 27 years before opening again in 1996 at the current spot about half a block away from the original location. They kept about 90% of the original parts, including the historic entrance arch.

The Little Railway Millions Have Ridden

Angels Flight has carried more riders per mile than any other railway in the world. In just its first 50 years, more than 100 million people took a ride.

Now in 2025, about 2,000 people ride it each day, and that number can go up to 5,000 during special events. When you hop on, you’re joining a long tradition shared by generations of LA locals.

From La La Land To Grand Theft Auto

Angels Flight has shown up in hundreds of movies since 1920 and has become one of Hollywood’s favorite filming spots. Beyond appearing in “La La Land” in 2016, you can spot it in “Perry Mason,” “Blade Runner,” “The Muppets,” and “Bosch.”

The railway offers special packages for film crews, and it’s been digitally scanned to appear in video games like “Grand Theft Auto” and “LA Noire.”

How This Railway Became LA’s Monument Number Four

Angels Flight became Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #4 in 1962 and joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, which means it has strong protection.

Since 2017, a 30-year agreement has been in place to keep it running far into the future. The railway gets checked every three months and has yearly historical reviews to keep it looking and working like it should.

The Railway That Keeps Coming Back

Angels Flight has had to close several times over the years. After reopening in 1996, safety issues caused shutdowns in 2001, 2013, and 2022. Each time it reopened, they added better safety features while keeping the historical look. The system running in 2025 uses advanced technology with three backup safety systems to make sure it stays reliable.

How It Works Even During Power Outages

When you take a ride on Angels Flight, you’re experiencing clever engineering from the early 1900s. The railway uses a smart balance system that needs very little electricity.

The current machinery, updated in 2017, combines modern safety features with the historical design. The railway can even keep running during power outages thanks to backup generators.

The Bridge Between Old And New LA

Angels Flight has become a symbol of downtown Los Angeles renewal. It connects the historic Grand Central Market with the modern California Plaza, linking old and new Los Angeles. Both tourists and local workers use it to avoid climbing the 153 steps that run alongside the tracks.

Take A Ride For Just One Dollar

Angels Flight is easy to find with stations at both ends:

• Upper Station: California Plaza, 350 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071

• Lower Station: 351 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (right across from Grand Central Market)

The railway runs every day from 6:45am to 10:00pm, including weekends and all holidays. Each ride takes about 5 minutes total.

Tickets:

• One-way ride: $1.00

• Round-trip with souvenir ticket: $2.00

• Discount with Metro TAP Card: $0.50

You can pay with cash or card. No need to book ahead—just show up and hop on board. If you want to check if there are any delays before you visit, you can download the Moovit app for live updates on the railway’s status.