Angels Flight Finally Reopens, Um, Like—Soon?

After nearly a decade of promised openings, Angels Flight is finally ready to take flight for a third time.

The shortest train line in the world has a spotty history.

On 01 February 2001, a brake failure resulted in the ironic death of survivor Leon Praport—the irony being that Mr. Praport had survived the cattle trains of Nazi Germany, only to die on the historically short railroad in a car called Sinai. (The other car is called Olivet.) Mr. Praport's wife, Lola, and six other passengers were seriously injured in the wreck.
 

Almost immediately afterward, a frequently run ad in a downtown newspaper heralded the quick recovery by way of the truncated funicular railway. The ad touted the tourist spot's two bits (25¢) for a ride up Bunker Hill. After nearly two years, with no reopening in sight, the ads ceased.

In March of 2001, at the base of Bunker Hill, David Woodard directed the Los Angeles Chamber Group as the ensemble performed his composition, "An Elegy For Two Angels." Feral House publisher Adam Parfrey mc'd the event:

The cars sat under cover for many years. In 2007 they were brought out of storage for the anticipated reopening. The event was again delayed. Nevertheless, work on the two cars continued at the train yards near 4th Street and the L.A. River.

Nearly nine years later, Angels Flight is set to formally reopen.
 

-BusTard