Shortest rail, longest wait

Remember Angels Flight? The "Shortest Railway in the World" has been closed since the fatal crash on Bunker Hill eight years ago. Downtown News says the planned reopening this winter might end up being delayed (again:)

John Welborne, president of the nonprofit Angels Flight Railway Foundation, has given multiple reopening dates since the Feb. 1, 2001, accident that killed 83-year-old Leon Praport and injured seven others. Last January, he held a press conference announcing a resumption of service during the summer. That was pushed to the end of December, which Welborne said would coincide with the 106th anniversary of the railway's original opening by Col. J.W. Eddy. In September, he said the $3.3 million renovation was waiting on the installation of a new drive system. Welborne last week said the drive's manufacturer installed the machinery in late November. "Additional work on wiring and related matters is taking place now," he said in an email response to Los Angeles Downtown News questions (he was unavailable to comment by phone).

DN story

Photos: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Michael Leasher]

Dear Bottleneck Blog,

I am trying to locate a reference you made in the in the L A Times California section, dated Tuesday, January 15, 2008, page B2. The reference appeared in the right column Latimes.com under the Bottleneck Blog sub-heading. The reference stated: "An examination on new USC research that has sparked debate about how many people are actually using public transit in Los Angeles."

I follow Bottleneck Blog on a regular basis (Thank you, Steve Lopez), but I can not find any reference to the this USC research. Can you please direct me to this information or send me a copy of the information , or tell me where I can get the information.

Thank you,

Michael Leasher
626-296-3344

[Michael Leasher]

Dear Bottleneck Blog,

I am trying to locate a reference you made in the in the L A Times California section, dated Tuesday, January 15, 2008, page B2. The reference appeared in the right column Latimes.com under the Bottleneck Blog sub-heading. The reference stated: "An examination on new USC research that has sparked debate about how many people are actually using public transit in Los Angeles."

I follow Bottleneck Blog on a regular basis (Thank you, Steve Lopez), but I can not find any reference to the this USC research. Can you please direct me to this information or send me a copy of the information , or tell me where I can get the information.

Thank you,

Michael Leasher
626-296-3344

[Marc Caldwell]

When there was the threat of the MTA taking over control of Angel's Flight, Welbourne was up in arms over the idea.

I, wearing my Joe Public hat, have lost faith in his ability to resurrect and manage the Angel's Flight due to what I perceive as grand openings that never materialize. How many more push backs will Angel's Flight need? How many of them so far are due to Mr. Welbourne's ignorance of what's going on with the Angel's Flight re-engineering? Was the money slow in being raised due to potential donors hesitation of Mr. Welbourne?

I don't normally look at situations this way but there has been too much talk about completion dates and too many delays. This is an important cultural institution that perhaps now deserves someone else managing its present and future operation.

[Dan W.]

I love Angel's Flight. I hope it comes back soon.

I think they should explore building something similar on a large scale in West Hollywood between Santa Monica Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. It would be a big hit with tourists and nightclub goers.