Do you know what a Paternoster lift is?

[Pinksands1]

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?

I have just discovered that they are so called because the compartments are like Rosary beads. ‘Our Father etc’

I thought it was more to do with the people fervently praying that they might survive their intrepid journey 'Our Father who art in Heaven please save me from this lift, please make sure I get in and out without either dying or looking like a complete twat, Amen'

Tragically it is on my bucket list of things to do to ride on a Paternoster lift, I don’t know why they fascinate me so much.

I was hoping to be able to go to Sheffield to ride the one at the uni (only about 170 miles) this summer and I had made my long suffering DH promise to accompany me. But now I know there’s one in Essex I might wait for that to reopen and see if I can visit.

To whoever asked about when the De Montfort paternoster was decomissioned -- there used to be two, one in the Fletcher Building which was demolished in 2014, and another in the School of Business which was demolished earlier than that, I think - it's where the Hugh Aston is now.

Here's a video of the one at Northwick Park Hospital. I like the sign that says don't panic. I think I'd still panic anyway.

Fascinating video but I still think I'll give it a miss.

Yes, there was one at Leicester university when I went for an interview in 1972! Never seen one since.

Yes, there was one at Leicester university in the mid 1990s.

I only heard about them from MN a few years ago! Have never seen one.

I guess technically they are no more dangerous than a revolving door in terms of getting caught etc - do they stop if someone gets caught?

Techtonic

Love the clip

Liked the slight wobble as it went over the top and back to floor 10

Down a proper 'paternoster' rabbit hole search now. A couple of fatalities in 70's

I didn't know about these but as someone who has never been skiing, thanks in no small part to having to use a ski lift, I'm not sure they're for me.

There was one in the art building in de Montfort uni in Leicester when I left in 2000. My friend did fashion and used it daily. I couldn't cope with it gave me nightmares!!

How weird... I didn't until earlier today when I was reading a book that mentioned them! Bit unsettling to then see this question on Mumsnet

I didn't until I clicked this thread!

Now I do...and I think I'd take the stairs instead

Oh I remember the Sheffield one! I had time to kill before my interview so went exploring!

Not that it had any bearing on me choosing Manchester instead but it might have done!

The one at Sheffield Uni scared me. Some people hopped on so gracefully. I also ways hesitated and ended up half falling in as the floor moved away from me.

Omg I went to an open day at Leicester university back in 1989. Leicester was my second choice and my first thought when I got into my first choice was thank god I don't have to use the paternoster. There is a blocked up paternoster in west Middlesex hospital.

I love that video @tectonicplates posted. I actually found it very relaxing and feel almost hypnotised now. I'd love a go!

Yes! Another Leicester alumnus here. My department was on the top floor Was always fun to see if the paternoster users would beat the lift queue-ers to the top, especially at the beginning of morning or afternoon lectures!

You Tube is your friend here... :) they have them in action.

Yes, terrifying!

Peterborough district hospital had one in the late '80s.. I got stuck in it on my last shift as a student nurse

My fear would not be timing getting in or out so much as...is there not a massive yawning lift shaft that someone could fall down at any time if the lift isn't there?

No @Graciebobcat - there is no lift shaft. A paternoster lift is a whole series of 'cubicles' that move up and around and then down around and back up again in a continuous loop. There's no gap between them and therefore no lift shaft.

There used to be one at the LSE in London and I went in it. It was quite slow moving so not alarming. And good fun.