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Original poster

Do you know what a Paternoster lift is?

238 replies

Pinksands1 · 28/07/2020 05:41

I dont know how I had never heard of this type of lift before. The wikipedia definition says 'consists of a chain of open compartments that move continuously I'm a loop up and down a building without stopping. Passengers can step on or off at any floor they like'.

Anyway, they look bloody terrifying. I am so uncoordinated, I just know I would faff about trying to get on quickly and do myself an injury! Has anyone used one? Are they as scary as they look? Smile

OP posts:
Furrybootsyecomfy · 28/07/2020 05:44

Yes! But only because I saw one in a movie from the 70s (I think The Exorcist) and my mind was boggled.

I’ll take the stairs, thanks.

keiratwiceknightly · 28/07/2020 05:45

Yes - there was one in my university library. Good fun once you got your head round it. And efficient!

maras2 · 28/07/2020 05:47

There's one in a northern university, not sure which but ever since Googling it I have frequent nightmares about it.
It really is a work of horror Shock
However DH, a designer himself absolutely loves them and wants my dreams Confused weirdo

Original poster
Pinksands1 · 28/07/2020 05:48

That was exactly my thought 🤣 I'll climb any amount of stairs before trying to use one!

OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 28/07/2020 05:48

Yes ! Used to use one. There various sites dedicated to tracking Existing ones down. Just had to time the step off right ! More thrilling even than running Through traffic to jump on the back of buses etc.

hoochymamgu · 28/07/2020 05:49

Sheffield university! It is awesome.

whatswithtodaytoday · 28/07/2020 05:50

Yes, because I went to Leicester uni 😁 They're actually brilliant, feel much safer than a regular lift, and can transport way more people at once.

You do literally just step on and off - it's not difficult at all. I suppose it's a bit like stepping into a revolving door? You just have to pick your moment.

HeronLanyon · 28/07/2020 05:50

I never did go over the top and all the way round. Don’t think it ever occurred to me how mind blowing that would have been.

Gingernaut · 28/07/2020 05:50

Op, are you freaking out about something you've never encountered and will never encounter?

Paternoster lifts move relatively slowly, to prevent accidents and there are safety features to prevent someone getting to the top and being injured.

Original poster
Pinksands1 · 28/07/2020 05:55

@maras2 it was the Sheffield University one I read about this morning. dont know what it is exactly that freaks me out so much at the thought of it, I think just that I am clumsy and panic and the thought of being stuck going round and round 🤣

OP posts:
Tlollj · 28/07/2020 05:56

Like the London eye then. That doesn’t stop.

HeronLanyon · 28/07/2020 05:57

Yes tollj - although the eye always feels as though it pauses Briefly ? Is that my faulty memory ? Or perhaps the entrance to the pods is so wide it’s a ‘trick your brain’?

ifigoup · 28/07/2020 05:57

I’ve never been in one but have wanted to ever since I first heard about them (but never had the opportunity).

Original poster
Pinksands1 · 28/07/2020 05:59

@Gingernaut well I posted here because I was fascinated and yes a bit freaked out at the thought of it. I dont think that's strange 😕 it's not like I am having a full blown panic attack just trying to explain in a humorous way why I dont think I would like it.

OP posts:
MorningManiacMusic · 28/07/2020 06:01

One at Salford university too.

Original poster
Pinksands1 · 28/07/2020 06:01

@whatswithtodaytoday ah yes I was reading about the one at Leicester Uni. The students were said to be very fond of it and didnt want it to go out of use.

OP posts:
MorningManiacMusic · 28/07/2020 06:03

I think you get used to it- friends in the department that had one day so, but I'm sure I'd have been out of sync or something!

Original poster
Pinksands1 · 28/07/2020 06:04

@HeronLanyon that's interesting, because I dont think I would give a second thought to getting on the london eye. I am claustrophobic so I wonder if that plays a part in it. The london eye looks so big and has clear glass to see out of but a lift is so enclosed and dark and like little boxes you step in

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinksands1 · 28/07/2020 06:09

@MorningManiacMusic yes the video I watched one woman just got on so casually and it was obviously just second nature to her but the next woman looked like she was a little too late and ducked her head 😮

OP posts:
lateSeptember1964 · 28/07/2020 06:10

Yes. There was one at Northwick Park Hospital. Very quick

RhapsodyInRaspberry · 28/07/2020 06:12

There was one at my university in the 80s (Birmingham) and I just couldn't leave it alone and was always getting in and out of it and going over the top and back down. I nearly came a cropper one day by leaving it too late to jump out as it went below the floor level but just got away with it but gave myself a real scare. I was obsessed with it though.

LadyPenelope68 · 28/07/2020 06:13

They’re brilliant, fantastic engineering, there was one at The old Leeds Medical School when I was there but I’m not sure if it’s still there.

Katyy · 28/07/2020 06:16

Yep used it at Sheffield university in the 70s. Don’t know if it’s still there though .

FredaFrogspawn · 28/07/2020 06:18

Cable cars are often like that. I manage them always but never without an indecisive little hop amidst a split second of panic!

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