Left Coast Crime conference affords attendees thrill of a ride on reopened Angels Flight.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 18, 2010 -- Left Coast Crime, an annual conference for mystery writers and fans offered an extra bonus for attendees. The conference is held in a different location in the western states each year, and the choice for 2010 was Los Angeles. The local Sisters in Crime chapter joined with the Mystery Writers of America to host an information-filled conference. There were panels and interviews with many mystery writers including the "four C's": Connelly, Crais, Childs and Cannell.

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Left Coast Crime conference affords attendees thrill of a ride on reopened Angels Flight.

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Attendees were treated to an added bonus on Saturday, March 13--a pre-grand opening ride on the historical Angels Flight. Mystery writer Morgan St. James offered a first-hand account and a little about the background of this Los Angeles icon.

St. James, who writes the Silver Sisters Mysteries with her real-life sister said, "It was a thrill to ride the Angel's Flight again. I think the last time I was on it I was about twenty-five, so it's been more years than I can count on my fingers and toes! Among Michael Connelly's novels is one entitled "Angel's Flight" so it was perfect for him to host this event. During the lunch break on Saturday I hurried to the site and was lucky enough to ride on the second car that took the short journey. What a thrill to be among the first riders on this newly reopened mini-railroad."

Known as the “shortest railroad in the world,” Angels Flight opened in 1901 and rapidly became a Los Angeles landmark. Consisting of two counter-balanced cars that move up and down parallel tracks, this funicular became the main means of transport along the steep grade from Third and Hill to the fashionable Bunker Hill. When it opened, the ride lasted one minute and cost one cent.

It was in danger of being demolished as part of the redevelopment of Bunker Hill in 1959, but the loyal riders and supporters were able to sidetrack those plans, at least for another ten years. As apartment houses fell to the wrecking ball and residents were relocated, the inevitable happened. Without sufficient funding to keep operating, even the designation “Historical Cultural Landmark” failed to save the Angel. In 1969 she was finally dismantled.

Twenty years later, the Community Redevelopment Agency approved the final plans for California, and much to the delight of Angelinos who remembered it, the plan included a restored Angels Flight. On February 24, 1996, the Angel reopened half a block from its original site.

But, it wasn’t to last. After a fatal accident in 2001, the Angel was closed once again. As angels sometimes do, this one led a charmed life and officially opened again this week on Monday, March 15, 2010. Although inflation has taken a toll, it is still affordable to take a ride on this piece of Los Angeles history. As a carnival barker would say, “Step right up folks, step right up. Ride the shortest railway in the world! Just twenty five cents one way. That’s one thin quarter to ride on an attraction that has starred in many Hollywood movies, books and TV shows. Hop right on folks.”

St. James says that the privilege of being among mystery authors and fans who were first to board one of the two Angels Flight cars was a definite bonus. She is saving her ticket to commemorate the ride.

More information can be found online at http://www.morganstjames-author.com

angels flight     Left Coast Crime     Morgan St. James     mystery writers of america     Sisters in Crime