Train Accident: Angels Flight resumes service after fatal crash

March 15, 2010

Los Angeles - Angels Flight has resumed its operations on Monday, ending the memory of 2001 fatal train accident.

Angels Flight services passengers with trips going up and down trail on Bunker Hill, making it the shortest railway in the world.

Angels Flight highlights modern brake system and new safety procedures that were approved by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Angels Flight encountered a technical brake failure in 2001 when the train's brake loosened, and it dashed and collided with a car. The accident killed an 83-year-old man, and severely injured seven other passengers. Federal officials suspended its operations after the accident.

"So we went to the best engineers around the world and said, 'How do we rebuild the property?' What we did was throw out everything that was there from the 1994 and 1995 rebuilding" said Angels Flight Operator John Welborne.

The fee was resumed to its 2001's price of 25 cents. The car was renovated from its 2001's features.

"It's great. It's a pretty nice ride with a great view, and it's a great bargain with 25 cents one way," said Annie Avery, L.A. resident.

The passengers shared their excitement in partaking with the Angels Flight ticket stub history.

"It's fun to have. We came just for this. It's going up on my bulletin board at work," said Jocelyn Whitfield, L.A. resident.

The train opened on Monday at 6:45 a.m.

"As long as it's not going downhill, I'm fine. Uphill is fine. Downhill is not fine," said Karen Klingborg, Sherman Oaks resident.