The Angel’s Flight Railway in downtown Los Angeles has passed a major hurdle in passing a safety inspection by the PUC. TV media says the world’s shortest railroad may begin operating next month.
More details in today’s Los Angeles Times.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-angels-flight11-2010mar11,0,4881940.story
I’ll beleive it when I see it. Passing the safety inspection is good news but how long till they can get running again is anyone’s guess. I’ll start making a point of going by there on my lunchbreak to check status.
Nah, you just like the food in the area!
I’m not holding my breath either!
Supposed to be re-opened today!, will go by at lunchtime to confirm.
Angel’s Flight reopened at 6:45 a.m. (PST) and it still costs 25 cents to ride. I await Victor’s report!
(http://gold.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Angels%20Flight%2001.jpg)
(http://gold.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Angels%20Flight%2002.jpg)
I am happy to report that it IS back in operation, fare still .25c each way, still a little bumpy at the crossover just as I remember, and its great not having to take those lousy stairs anymore. 
Is it a cog railway ? If so I am glad to see it back on duty. If it´s not i am too ! I like unusual rail systems!
cheers Joe
Here is an interesting cliff railway.
Cliff railways are common enough, but this one is powered by water.
http://www.cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk/history.html
Ah well the YouTube embedding code doesn’t work.
Have to make do with the URL
Tony,
That is pretty neat. I don’t know if “water powered” is the right term. I’m not sure, but my take on how it works is they
fill the descending cars with water and they pull the ascending cars up.
Thanks for the video. Very interesting.
Ralph
Many thanks to Tony for posting the link to the Lynton, Devon cliff railway. Lynton is in the north of my County, about 80 miles away. Here in the balmier south we have another cliff railway:
this is the link:
http://www.friendsofbabbacombecliffrailway.org.uk/
The above links mention other similar funiculars in the UK. A most interesting one is in Bridgnorth, Shropshire (usually known as SALOP), which is in the West Midland area of England.
I have a cousin of my father living in the “Forge Cottage” Lynton who remembers riding the last train as a child.
I always take the time to visit her and her husband whenever I am in the UK and also try and make to time to poke around the area as much as I can.
As I understand it, nothing, other than free water from a spring at the top of the incline, powers the cars. Therefore the term “water powered” is the only one that comes to mind.
Johannes Buring said:
Is it a cog railway ? If so I am glad to see it back on duty. If it´s not i am too ! I like unusual rail systems!cheers Joe
Ok , If it´s not a Cog/Rack system it runs on I know how it works . Thanks for the information ! This funicular is another reason to visit the “City of Angels” !
cheers Joe
