Interesting transport modes

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I met somebody who went to Leicester and told tales of "overriding" the paternoster despite numerous warning signs. Apparently once you go past the top floor it is completely dark as you move laterally before reappearing on the down side.

There's actually quite a few YouTube videos of this:
Leicester University - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upgVoZKvP3M
Vienna City Hall - https://youtu.be/bCmGz8zgGJc?t=90 (sign says something like "get off, last floor"

Another - https://www.facebook.com/uniladmag/videos/427098371690458 - in Prague

[grahame]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-65093471

A university's Paternoster lift has become a surprise hit online.

The elevator, which is made up of 14 individual compartments and runs on a continuous loop, was installed at the University of Essex in 1967.

[bradshaw]

There is also one at Sheffield, I believe

[froome]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-65093471

A university's Paternoster lift has become a surprise hit online.

The elevator, which is made up of 14 individual compartments and runs on a continuous loop, was installed at the University of Essex in 1967.

There are many good reasons why the paternoster should become extinct. Access for the disabled, anyone with heavy luggage and frankly anyone who isn't nimble on their feet being the main one.

I still have nightmares about the only time I had to use one. In 1969 I went to my first interview for a university place, at my first choice, Newcastle University. About 10 potential students gathered in the foyer of what looked like a brand new building where we were met by a lecturer (I think) who after saying a few words to us, said "Follow me" and jumped onto a passing paternoster lift and disappeared within moments. I don't think he actually said which floor we were going to, though I may just have not heard it. We had no choice but to follow, though I was very tempted to try to find some stairs. As I went up in this lift, I kept thinking what happens if I don't manage to get off in time? Do I get squashed on the ceiling? If I miss it altogether, that then happens? Do we flip over and hurtle down the other side, or just get crushed into nothingness? Obviously none of those do happen, and I did manage to get off ok, but I failed the interview, partly I'm sure do to having not recovered from the experience.

[grahame]

I came across one of these while browsing and thought I would look and see what else is a bit unusual in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).   Have I missed anything really special?
http://www.cairngormmountain.org/funicular-railway-panel/

"Interesting" can mean "beset with unique technical difficulting" and the Cairngorm line has had its share of problems.  This is an ancient thread and since the last post it has been closed more than open, including an expensive rebuild as I recall.  Even now, relaunched in January it was closed in August and according to STV (and other sources) remains closed for at least a few more weeks.

The UK’s highest railway is to remain shut for “safety reasons” until November.

The Cairngorm Mountain Railway closed in September 2018 amid concerns over the structures supporting the tracks.

Following a £25m reinstatement programme, funded by the Scottish Government, the service was relaunched in January 2023.

However, The Highlands and Islands Enterprise took the decision to withdraw the funicular railway from service on August 25 while a series of “snagging” works were carried out.