Schwebebahn: Why Wuppertal's Trains Are Much Cooler Than Yours

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  • Опубликовано: 24 дек 2024

Комментарии • 2,1 тыс.

  • @TheTimTraveller
    @TheTimTraveller  5 лет назад +1446

    Hi all - just a quick note on this video: I think a few people are mishearing me at 0:43 where I say this is "the world's oldest suspension railway... it's also one of the world's only suspension railways". I did not call it "the world's only suspension railway" - there are others, including one not too far away from here at Düsseldorf Airport, another in Memphis, US, and some more in Japan. TLDR: it's the oldest one but not the only one. Thank you for your attention :)

    • @johnsmith-wx5fb
      @johnsmith-wx5fb 5 лет назад +12

      Erm.....this isnt the worlds only suspension railway. Great video and ive subscribed.

    • @bbuttons7941
      @bbuttons7941 5 лет назад +100

      @@johnsmith-wx5fb mate you know he is trying to explain that it is not the only suspensiom railway right?

    • @classonbread5757
      @classonbread5757 5 лет назад +14

      @@johnsmith-wx5fb one of the

    • @how2what4
      @how2what4 5 лет назад +5

      I was about to mention there are a few in Japan, here's one I like to ride in ruclips.net/video/xb6oUiZeUVk/видео.html

    • @millomweb
      @millomweb 5 лет назад +6

      What a pity we have to imagine the "PING-PONG" before and after this 'announcement' ;)

  • @skiingcrocodile2153
    @skiingcrocodile2153 5 лет назад +1576

    This takes "mind the gap" to a whole new level...

    • @aSameplayer
      @aSameplayer 5 лет назад +23

      skiing crocodile damn and the level is 15 meters above the ground 🤔🤔🤔

    • @PenPeng
      @PenPeng 5 лет назад +82

      I know this is a joke but for everyone who was never there: There is a floor under the whole train in all stations. In fact, because the trains have no wheels on the bottom, the floor below the train is almost level with the platform

    • @aSameplayer
      @aSameplayer 5 лет назад +5

      Mr. Tux tru u can also see it in the vid

    • @BenJamin-en3jb
      @BenJamin-en3jb 5 лет назад +31

      The stations have a white line painted on the floor. And in some stations that have a curve in the rail right before the entrance, the train will swing EXACTLY up to that line. Really taught me to honour those markings.

    • @horsthorsti2122
      @horsthorsti2122 5 лет назад +1

      😂😂

  • @fireaza
    @fireaza 5 лет назад +3147

    Wuppertal Engineer 1: "Hans! You have your schematic upside down! The trainline is supposed to go on the ground! Not in the air!"
    Wuppertal Engineer 2: "Scheisse!"

    • @bjrn-steinarhanssen2102
      @bjrn-steinarhanssen2102 5 лет назад +20

      :D :D :D

    • @bierkules2608
      @bierkules2608 5 лет назад +72

      Back then where German engineering was gold. xD

    • @christopherg2347
      @christopherg2347 5 лет назад +36

      That would have had the trains drive in the Wupper.
      Now I am not a fully fledged Electrician, but I think Electricity and water do not mix.
      Neither do non-airtight Railway cars, passengers and water.

    • @exvitermini
      @exvitermini 5 лет назад +3

      Lol, back..when? 😂

    • @Weisior
      @Weisior 5 лет назад +8

      The deadline was close...
      So they decided to build it anyway

  • @DonMas-car-pone
    @DonMas-car-pone 5 лет назад +4572

    Three things you need to do in Germany:
    1. Autobahn
    2. Schwebebahn
    3. Reeperbahn

    • @gustavmeyrink_2.0
      @gustavmeyrink_2.0 5 лет назад +299

      I will let my daughters know next time they visit Germany.

    • @SuperTamaru
      @SuperTamaru 5 лет назад +501

      And with their powers combined, they become Deutche Bahn

    • @civishamburgum1234
      @civishamburgum1234 5 лет назад +193

      The last one is a tourist trap though.

    • @markusz4447
      @markusz4447 5 лет назад +56

      you misspelled Reeperbahn :P

    • @DonMas-car-pone
      @DonMas-car-pone 5 лет назад +28

      @@markusz4447 Ach, du scheiße...bin dort auch noch nicht gewesen 😉

  • @PythonPlusPlus
    @PythonPlusPlus 5 лет назад +4150

    Suicidal people: I’m gonna jump in front of a train.
    Schwebebahn:

    • @gaspersverko4055
      @gaspersverko4055 5 лет назад +91

      PythonPlusPlus you can still jump down

    • @SchiwiM
      @SchiwiM 5 лет назад +168

      You just get wet 😁

    • @peterstepanov8062
      @peterstepanov8062 5 лет назад +21

      @@Robespierre-lI Illuminati: Don't fucking move

    • @ACEsParkJunheeWreckedMeHard
      @ACEsParkJunheeWreckedMeHard 5 лет назад +7

      funny how just 100m away is the main station... so I just say : Yall get a second chance my dude"

    • @NewBlueTrue
      @NewBlueTrue 5 лет назад +4

      PythonPlusPlus You have to jump up

  • @QuiltingCrow
    @QuiltingCrow 5 лет назад +241

    I was born in Wuppertal and lived there the first 31 years of my life. To me, the Schwebebahn was a normal thing and I used it to get to school and into the city :) But I remember that there were a lot of tourists, which always bewildered me. Today I live far away from Wuppertal (and I miss it), and you brought me back a piece of my home

    • @Carrylane
      @Carrylane 3 года назад +3

      What do u miss? The mountains u have to climb when u want to go home?

    • @QuiltingCrow
      @QuiltingCrow 3 года назад +10

      @@Carrylane The landscape, indeed. The weather. The people. So many places I used to go to. The food. Many things indeed.

    • @Carrylane
      @Carrylane 3 года назад +1

      @@QuiltingCrow That's totally nothing for me i must say..i like landscapes too but not like it is in wuppertal

    • @robinz.9774
      @robinz.9774 2 года назад

      Da gibt es nichts zu vermissen - überall nur noch Schmutzmenschen unterwegs...

  • @lookiloo4665
    @lookiloo4665 5 лет назад +3005

    They should put glass floors in it, obviously

    • @bard1250
      @bard1250 5 лет назад +78

      also people get dizzy

    • @hoherspatz9573
      @hoherspatz9573 5 лет назад +135

      which makes it super dirty and hard to clean

    • @lookiloo4665
      @lookiloo4665 5 лет назад +35

      @@hoherspatz9573 try googling "glass floor", you'll see many projects successfully using glass on floors

    • @Meskalin_
      @Meskalin_ 5 лет назад +224

      It's a VERKEHRSMITTEL and not a VERGNÜGUNGSPARK ATTRAKTION

    • @donnerschwein
      @donnerschwein 5 лет назад +84

      @@Meskalin_ *VERGNÜGUNGSPARKATTRAKTION ... one word ☝🏻

  • @TrollsliterZZ
    @TrollsliterZZ 5 лет назад +1359

    I‘m living in Wuppertal, and I think that this was the most heartwarming video about the Schwebebahn I ever saw. Thank you so much! Nowadays all Cabin-Vehicles are modern. So you drove in the older ones. The only one that was built before 2016 is the Kaiserwagen. So Wuppertal has got a really modern suspension railway now. :) Greetings from Wuppertal ☺️

    • @13thrule
      @13thrule 5 лет назад +11

      thanks for the information its on my bucket list

    • @DisgruntledDoomer
      @DisgruntledDoomer 5 лет назад +21

      What a pity... those carriages (on this video) looked positively retro!

    • @timsummers870
      @timsummers870 5 лет назад +10

      @
      @UCbniqeoJ3eTSXg5qLnG2zPg: How's like to live in Wuppertal? My ancestors left Elberfeld in 1900 and I'll have an opportunity to visit in 2020. I'm really interested in the place, but I've seen it's rather industrial, not necessarily too touristy. What are the people like?

    • @floppypaste
      @floppypaste 5 лет назад +19

      @@timsummers870 Due to u speaking english, i guess u aren't from germany. That's important cause i dont think that Wuppertal isn't that much different to other german cities. Either way, pls come and visit our mostly forgotten little city :)

    • @SirKolass
      @SirKolass 5 лет назад +4

      Love the new ones, modern stuff is just life for me

  • @eledelapido
    @eledelapido 5 лет назад +1483

    Cities skylines players be like: I wonder if this would work on my city.

    • @ahhcaffeine9948
      @ahhcaffeine9948 5 лет назад +40

      it will there is actually a suspended monorail system

    • @Liftium
      @Liftium 5 лет назад +12

      @@ahhcaffeine9948 Yeah but we want suspended trams

    • @ahhcaffeine9948
      @ahhcaffeine9948 5 лет назад +13

      @@Liftium ...what? there is a suspended monorail on the workshop just go and subscribe to it and it'll work the same as the one on the vid dfuq

    • @TheGous
      @TheGous 5 лет назад +5

      @@ahhcaffeine9948 nah, he means suspended monorail

    • @user-mc8cj3ls6m
      @user-mc8cj3ls6m 5 лет назад +5

      Exactly AHHAHAHA i was just about to open my cities skyline and try this 😂😂😂

  • @patriciabristow-johnson5951
    @patriciabristow-johnson5951 3 года назад +44

    "It's also one of the world's *only* suspension railways, as you will have noticed if you've been...anywhere." Your sense of humor brings genuine smiles to my face

  • @normanusrex7910
    @normanusrex7910 3 года назад +125

    Actually, Wuppertal did have a tramway, too. And it was once one of the largest networks in Germany, reaching many suburban areas and even other cities. It was discontinued only in 1987, because - basically - tramways were unfashionable at that time.

    • @RubenKelevra
      @RubenKelevra 4 месяца назад +1

      Yeah, but it was very slow compared to the Schwebebahn for a ride throught the city, as it had to cross many intersection and deal ocationally with other traffic. You can still see remenicense of it today, if you look at the main roads. There's a wide strip of grass in between both directions of travel, where once the rails were.
      It's so sad that in the 70s and 80s everyone was ripping apart rail infrastucture just to get more funding for car infrastucture, to have more traffic jams and more heat and pollution in the cities.

  • @kaidrache2395
    @kaidrache2395 4 года назад +30

    It's been 13 years since leaving my home town Wuppertal for southern Hesse and each and everyday I miss this wonderful city. Completely bankrupt, sometimes dirty and loud, but always a sight to behold and filled to the brim with people that have a real personality. Used to ride the Schwebebahn on a daily basis whilst going to school and until today I have very fond memories of the old carriages (the orange and blue ones). Need to visit sooner rather than later....

    • @willasn9080
      @willasn9080 2 года назад +7

      Unser schönes Wuppertal hat es unter CNN's top 20 places to visit geschafft :) besuch uns mal wieder,

  • @KemalYusup
    @KemalYusup 5 лет назад +1587

    i thought this is what normal train looks like?
    - Australia

    • @markfryer9880
      @markfryer9880 5 лет назад +69

      Except kangaroos drive the trains and emus mind the stations, while koalas sleep in the conductor's cabin.

    • @mapgravy
      @mapgravy 5 лет назад +12

      @@markfryer9880 and they put shrimp on the barbie

    • @markfryer9880
      @markfryer9880 4 года назад +3

      @cumquatrct3 yes they may be free from minding the stations but now they are just unemployed bums.

    • @markfryer9880
      @markfryer9880 4 года назад +11

      @@mapgravy we call them Prawns.

    • @alexeibradley-malcolm2462
      @alexeibradley-malcolm2462 4 года назад +6

      @@mapgravy Prawns not Shrimp.

  • @TheHolyMongolEmpire
    @TheHolyMongolEmpire 4 года назад +67

    How in the world have I never heard of this being a huge fan of Public transit. This is so badass and it’s even more badass that it survived WW2 and to the current day.

    • @eltfell
      @eltfell 4 года назад +5

      Well, it had been seriously damaged by WW2 bombings. But is was the first thing they made working after the war.

    • @JimWorthey
      @JimWorthey День назад +1

      During high school in suburban St. Louis, Missouri, USA, circa 1960, my friend and I were trolley fans. Another shared interest was the German language so in 1964 (after 2nd college year) we signed up with an agency that would arrange summer jobs in Europe. We mentioned an interest in trolleys, and totally hit the jackpot when they sent us to Wuppertal. We lived in a kind of dormitory near the Hauptbahnhof and had a choice of commuting by trolley or Schwebebahn. A particular charm of the Schwebebahn involves physics. There are many curves, but the cars swing out and passengers feel no side force.😁

    • @JimWorthey
      @JimWorthey День назад +1

      While we were there in '64, there was an obituary of a man (presumably an engineer) who was credited as der Schwebebahnwiederaufbauer , meaning the Schwebebahn rebuilder, or more literally the Schwebebahn-again-up-builder, who put it together after the war.

  • @madeyestudios8357
    @madeyestudios8357 4 года назад +57

    Random Wuppertal citizen: I love my house
    Wuppertal: *Our house*
    1:11

  • @markuss3735
    @markuss3735 2 года назад +15

    The word "schweben" means "to hover". The Schwebebahn is therefor properly translated as the "floating railway". It is a wonderful experience and worth a visit. I was fortunate to have been invited on the Kaiserwagen which was hired by a client for an event and as a thank you for the team working on their project in Wuppertal (a Marks & Spencer department store on which they spent millions of Pounds and promptly closed 10 months later).

  • @richardbertouche
    @richardbertouche 2 года назад +9

    Just to say I’m currently in Wuppertal on holiday because of this video! All new ‘trams’ since this film. Amazing engineering.

    • @RubenKelevra
      @RubenKelevra 4 месяца назад

      Great to hear. How did you like it?

  • @peterscarborough1612
    @peterscarborough1612 3 года назад +11

    I've worked in Wuppertal a few times and never miss the oppurtunity to take a ride on the schwebebahn, it's so smooth with excellent views of the city through the windows. Good video with interesting historical info too...

  • @PlexingtonSteel
    @PlexingtonSteel 5 лет назад +29

    Planners: what do you want? Tram, Subway, Train?
    Wuppertal: yes!

  • @cedmaster2000
    @cedmaster2000 5 лет назад +700

    You could have mentioned the elephant who fell out of the train😂

    • @millomweb
      @millomweb 5 лет назад +26

      It didn't fall out, it was pushed ;)

    • @Anakianaj
      @Anakianaj 5 лет назад +154

      @@millomweb Either way it's probably important to note that it was unharmed and got away with just a scare. - And why put an elephant on it in the first place? - Because people were pretty sceptical and getting the elephants from the zoo around the corner seemed like a pretty good idea to prove a point; if that thing can carry elephants then it sure is safe for people as well. (At least that's what my grandma always replied when I asked why they put an elephant on the Schwebebahn)

    • @millomweb
      @millomweb 5 лет назад +40

      @@Anakianaj Indeed - publicity stunt. I believe it took fright and jumped down - and yes not badly injured.
      Wouldn't have been the same had it been a *jumbo* jet !

    • @SirKolass
      @SirKolass 5 лет назад +10

      The elephant was just pretending to be dumbo

    • @eliad6543
      @eliad6543 5 лет назад +49

      @@Anakianaj they put a FUCKING ELEPHANT on that thing?! holy fuck

  • @heuldoch7652
    @heuldoch7652 5 лет назад +9

    I lived almost 26 years in this city, and now moved away 2 years ago, but today i learned history about my own hometown from an english speaking youtuber. great video, thanks for that

    • @senti4921
      @senti4921 5 лет назад

      Das ganze war doch jetzt wirklich kein geheim*nis* 🌚

  • @ThatForeignBloke
    @ThatForeignBloke 5 лет назад +26

    I've been to Wuppertal and used the Schwebebahn many times. Even today, it is a fantastic transport system and highly recommended.

  • @lukelloyd7934
    @lukelloyd7934 2 года назад +2

    I don't know how I got here but it was fascinating and well presented, thanks!

  • @A_Haunted_Pancake
    @A_Haunted_Pancake 3 года назад +27

    Also, The literal translation of Schwebebahn is "Hovertrain",
    which adds another 146,8 % coolness compared to "suspended rail"

  • @nicolevardakas7920
    @nicolevardakas7920 5 лет назад +31

    My mother’s home town. I have “schwebt durch Wuppertal“ many times. It is always a special experience ❤️🚟

    • @tristanleport3580
      @tristanleport3580 5 лет назад +6

      The wonderful thing here is: there is a suspension railway emoji!

  • @El_Presidente_5337
    @El_Presidente_5337 4 года назад +414

    "Why Wuppertals trains are cooler than yours"
    People from Wuppertal:
    *visible confusion*

    • @VigilanteAgumon
      @VigilanteAgumon 4 года назад +12

      "The grass is always greener..."

    • @Corffel2
      @Corffel2 4 года назад +21

      well as someone who lived for over 20 years in Wuppertal the only thing I can say is... which trains? The ones that don't come, or the ones that are never working because of the modernization?

    • @AunknownMan
      @AunknownMan 4 года назад +7

      Corffel2 as someone who lived there too i say the same, or the fcking *betriebstörung*.

    • @eruc4828
      @eruc4828 4 года назад

      im living there rn and i was very confused xD

    • @TheVipter
      @TheVipter 4 года назад

      @@Corffel2 Facts

  • @susanh1482
    @susanh1482 4 года назад +6

    This is totally on our bucket list. My son want to take the "hanging train." We love your videos. Thanks for making them family friendly!!!!!

  • @arvibi3084
    @arvibi3084 Год назад +1

    Thanks in part to this video, I rode the Schwebebahn thus week.

  • @davideob6355
    @davideob6355 5 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks for this well-written & well-delivered interesting and entertaining video.

  • @ChrisTian-co4oc
    @ChrisTian-co4oc 5 лет назад +220

    Wuppertal looked to them all and said:
    Hold my beer ...

  • @adamorick2872
    @adamorick2872 5 лет назад +139

    Seems more practical in an urban setting then going own. You can literally just pop this over roads and boom done. Can still build buildings and sewers down without worry of railroad access.

    • @CivilizedWasteland
      @CivilizedWasteland 5 лет назад +11

      Or just build a tracks above the road...

    • @P7777-u7r
      @P7777-u7r 5 лет назад +15

      Similar in concept to the skytrain in BC however the skytrain runs normally its just on a giant bridge
      Its cheaper than digging tunnels but safer and faster than building street level rails.

    • @christopherg2347
      @christopherg2347 5 лет назад +16

      The issue is with any accident you need the ladders of the firedepartment to get people out. ruclips.net/video/F4KZLcvMQWg/видео.html
      And if you do not have a convienient stretch of unbuildable land just below most of it (like the river Wupper), it really just increases your construction footprint without gaining you anything.
      There is also the part where building a suspension rail out of steel is just hugely expensive, compared to simple rails on concrete blocks.
      This is one of those solutions you only pick, if you have no other option left.

    • @scheichajev
      @scheichajev 5 лет назад +2

      @@christopherg2347 what if you build in a special ladder into the train. Maybe people could come up with a practical and lightweight design. Or some sort of a slide like the airplanes have for emergencies.

    • @XMysticHerox
      @XMysticHerox 5 лет назад +4

      P77777777 or literally any other raised train system. A good example is Hamburgs subway which paradoxically is more above ground than underground.

  • @Dark__Thoughts
    @Dark__Thoughts 5 лет назад +6

    We actually had a tram too, from 1873 to 1987. I'm born 86 but I still remember some of the remaining tracks along the B7 throughout the 90s. Theoretically it would still be good to have one, especially if we want to reduce cars on the roads and since the Schwebebahn is already pretty crowded most of the time. Another alternative would be trolleybuses, but I think rails are usually preferably for a flat route.

  • @0Adnin
    @0Adnin 5 лет назад +2

    I spent 1 year as exchnage student in Wuppertal back in 09. this brought so many good memories back. thank you.
    My experience with Schwebebahn made me write a letter to local authorities for a mass transit like Schwebebahn in my home city which at time was a slightly bigger (Nagpur, India) than wuppertal but had all the same consituent. 10 year later it got a metro. I would have been more happy if it was schwebebahn

  • @cr5418
    @cr5418 Год назад

    I'm a Brit living near Frankfurt and we made it up to Wuppertal this weekend to ride the Schwebebahn! Even on a rainy November day it was such fun!! Thank you for your amazing videos :)

  • @catalindeluxus8545
    @catalindeluxus8545 4 года назад +6

    I come from a place called Valea Jiului, in Romania, and Wuppertal made me feel right at home! There is a beautiful charm to living inside a long city, in which nature is only at a 10-minute walk!

    • @PsyMOONze
      @PsyMOONze 3 года назад

      Greetings from Serbia.

    • @willasn9080
      @willasn9080 2 года назад

      Yes, you are right! Its very charming to have nature on your door step :)

  • @Robbity
    @Robbity 3 года назад +111

    🚟 the fact that this incredibly rare form of transportation has an emoji is just so funny to me.

    • @gigagurke7364
      @gigagurke7364 3 года назад +12

      I wonder if the usage of this emoji is actually more common in wuppertal than anywhere else

    • @Robbity
      @Robbity 3 года назад +2

      @@gigagurke7364 it's really efficient, then train I mean. I can see why they got an emoji, because they are better

    • @paigecunningham
      @paigecunningham 3 года назад +8

      A lot of emojis are Japanese in origin (why we have used to have sushi but not taco emojis, and Japan has suspended monorails. I suspect that's the reason.

    • @JinnyGojo
      @JinnyGojo 3 года назад +4

      @@paigecunningham actually no. The first emoji they had had also the colors of the original Schwebebahn trains. Because the Schwebebahn was the first one in the world most countries had to wait to maybe build one too. We even have like a partnership with the Shonan Monorail city. They changed that emoji later to a "neutral" monorail.

    • @edgoodwin4389
      @edgoodwin4389 3 года назад +1

      What did you even type to get that emoji? Lmao

  • @josdesouza
    @josdesouza 3 года назад +3

    Wuppertal is also famous for the innovations coming out of its university. It does have a knack for 'thinking outside of the box'. Kudos!

  • @theblah12
    @theblah12 5 лет назад +304

    Weird seeing one of the pillars going through a building at 1:11

    • @thomasbarlow4223
      @thomasbarlow4223 5 лет назад +10

      Yea thats weird

    • @XRedXDragon
      @XRedXDragon 5 лет назад +70

      Damn as someone who passed that spot hundreds of times i never noticed

    • @threepingsthree
      @threepingsthree 5 лет назад +23

      Road Anarchy enabled. The Chirper is red

    • @BenJamin-en3jb
      @BenJamin-en3jb 5 лет назад +32

      @@XRedXDragon Me neither. Quite propably that warehouse was built around the pillar.

    • @xcruell
      @xcruell 4 года назад +1

      What's so weird about it?

  • @MeridianCosmo
    @MeridianCosmo 2 года назад

    I was your driver on the old stock in the Video😆 I love your videos .Keep going.👍 Greetings from Wuppertal

  • @martinsplichal1581
    @martinsplichal1581 3 года назад +1

    I swebt it in the 70's. Thanks for the view. Also your presentations are hilarious.

  • @Oxideacid
    @Oxideacid 4 года назад +126

    4:08
    "It's very rare for a sheep to wander onto the line"
    What did he meant by _rare?_

  • @michealflaithbheartaigh4139
    @michealflaithbheartaigh4139 4 года назад +6

    This is obviously comming up after watching restored footage of this from 1902 ..its amazing to see different it looks

  • @chaimilch6008
    @chaimilch6008 5 лет назад +277

    vergesse nicht: mit nur 1 Schiene kann sich die Bahn super in jede Kurve hineinlegen und bietet den Passagieren tollen Sitzkomfort. Denn: Der Kraftvektor ist immer zum Boden der Bahn gerichtet= so, wie man steht. kein rechts links gewackel.

    • @vinniesaccount
      @vinniesaccount 5 лет назад +8

      na und für die Aussicht nehme ich ein Gewackele gerne in Kauf

    • @fynnhuttersen6507
      @fynnhuttersen6507 5 лет назад +33

      mit dem ding besoffen fahren ist aber jedesmal nen krampf

    • @vinniesaccount
      @vinniesaccount 5 лет назад +12

      @@fynnhuttersen6507 setz dich hin und genieß den Flug

    • @vinniesaccount
      @vinniesaccount 5 лет назад +6

      @sn3192 ich bin nur neidisch haha :D Hätte sowas gerne in meiner Stadt

    • @WoodymC
      @WoodymC 5 лет назад

      @@fynnhuttersen6507 Bin als jugendlicher Touri mal mitgeschwebt, allerdings nicht besoffen, weil deutlich U16. Guter Tipp, das nicht in dem Zustand zu wiederholen... :-D

  • @crystalmorrow4957
    @crystalmorrow4957 4 года назад +2

    During these trying times, I thank you, for getting me about the world in a way that adheres to social distancing. Much appreciated.

  • @feraf
    @feraf 2 года назад +2

    I know it's a 4yo vídeo but I just wanted to say that I was there yesterday and it's still amazing sight. Riding the train and seeing it fly above you. It's worth visiting Wuppertal. Also, it's so close to Düsseldorf which is a great city by itself.

  • @paulgoodman8476
    @paulgoodman8476 5 лет назад +3

    I am a railroad geek but this is a new one to me. Well done and informative. And another reason I want to visit Germany.

  • @Quasihamster
    @Quasihamster 5 лет назад +76

    One slight inaccuracy: Wuppertal had a tram system as well up until the 1980s, which couldn't really cope with the amount of traffic along the Wupper either. So the Schweb was built additionally.

    • @gnumpfgnumpf5610
      @gnumpfgnumpf5610 5 лет назад +3

      @jeanluc305 1987

    • @Quasihamster
      @Quasihamster 5 лет назад +2

      @jeanluc305 No, 1980s. That's when the last tram line in the city was closed.

    • @malekruxo5126
      @malekruxo5126 5 лет назад

      And there was the Bergbahn also

    • @malekruxo5126
      @malekruxo5126 5 лет назад +1

      ruclips.net/video/IW5i1AScndc/видео.html

  • @dickmartino9933
    @dickmartino9933 5 лет назад +396

    And they wanted a way of looking into people's windows legit.

    • @WoodymC
      @WoodymC 5 лет назад +44

      If you're into speedrunning, you probably know how hard it is to catch a one-frame window at 60fps. And now, try that IRL with a human eye framerate... xD

    • @thin_white_duke1
      @thin_white_duke1 5 лет назад

      Dick Martino it’s perfect for those nosy old folk. 😆😆

    • @menzac8892
      @menzac8892 5 лет назад +3

      @@WoodymC What if I run in the train opposite way so I stay same with the window weSmart

    • @WoodymC
      @WoodymC 5 лет назад +6

      @@menzac8892 Well, that's cheating. Also, you would have to run as fast as the train goes and would brutally hit the back window at the end of the train pretty soon. ;)

    • @menzac8892
      @menzac8892 5 лет назад +2

      @@WoodymC what speed are you expecting it to go. It's not train

  • @GnrMilligan
    @GnrMilligan 3 года назад

    My father was stationed in Wuppertal in 1945.As he got into his 80's and nostalgia became a thing for him,we would often find him online looking at old photos of the town and the train system so it now holds an importance for me.I hoped to one day take him back there but alas I left it too late.Thanks for posting!

  • @zameize
    @zameize 4 года назад +2

    I had been staying in Aachen for 3 years. In my early days, I visited this Schwebebahn in Wuppertal and tried it. It was worth it. Such a unique piece of mass transport system. Now, I am in Japan and watching your video, making me nostalgic about my time in Germany. Thanks!. Keep the good work. Subscribed already.

    • @NorthSea_1981
      @NorthSea_1981 4 года назад +1

      The Japanese developed their own type of similar suspension monorail metro after WWII and have one in Kamakura and one in Chiba as far as I know

    • @zameize
      @zameize 4 года назад +1

      @@NorthSea_1981 really? Gotta check it out. Thanks for the info

    • @NorthSea_1981
      @NorthSea_1981 4 года назад

      @@zameize Please do so. I've never been to Japan, but since I'm a bit of a German "public transport nerd", I had known about this stuff in Japan for quite some years. It's like a Japanese perfection of this old "German system" so to speak; great stuff:
      www.urbanrail.net/as/jp/chiba/chiba.htm
      www.urbanrail.net/as/jp/shonan/shonan.htm

    • @NorthSea_1981
      @NorthSea_1981 4 года назад

      @@zameize On another note: Here's the official info video made by the Wuppertal transit authority & the City of Wuppertal in English for foreign visitors:
      ruclips.net/video/HQH4TS01Jt4/видео.html

  • @patrickmoody9367
    @patrickmoody9367 4 года назад +3

    Well done, this is really polished and confident for a second ever video

  • @carlosfurukawa6133
    @carlosfurukawa6133 4 года назад +5

    Japan is obsessed about railways and Germany. I’ve been in 2 suspended rail lines in Japan, 1 in Kokura, and another in Chiba. The 2nd one is a mystery for the reason it was built, and it connects government buildings in a city that is not that busy. It’s more a tourist thing than a real transport need.. the story everyone likes to say is the inspiration of German technology! And then, this video! Now I see from where they were inspired! 👍

  • @Steroumel
    @Steroumel 6 лет назад +21

    This was very interesting! Just the first few seconds made me want to watch more!!
    Great one! 😀

    • @TheTimTraveller
      @TheTimTraveller  6 лет назад +1

      Cheers Steroumel! It seems people like this so I'll try to make some more travel & transport videos

  • @Seewolf-ne7us
    @Seewolf-ne7us 3 года назад +1

    Schönes Video von unserer Schwebebahn ,alles gut und richtig beschrieben. Liebe Grüße aus Wuppertal

  • @bsuchandan
    @bsuchandan Год назад

    After watching this video almost 4 years ago, I was finally able to take a couple of rides on the Schwebebahn yesterday. Thanks for the inspiration. ♥️

    • @TheTimTraveller
      @TheTimTraveller  Год назад +1

      Ah brilliant! Hope you had fun

    • @bsuchandan
      @bsuchandan Год назад

      @@TheTimTraveller yessss!!! It was fun. Thanks again for making such inspiring videos.

  • @scanida5070
    @scanida5070 5 лет назад +672

    Did you know that:
    An elephant once fell out of the "Schwebebahn" and fell into the Wupper.
    Edit: Well that escalated quickly...

    • @Mallefrats
      @Mallefrats 5 лет назад +13

      Yes, a small elephant

    • @fraunull1572
      @fraunull1572 5 лет назад +54

      Tuffi

    • @eltfell
      @eltfell 5 лет назад +37

      In summer 1950. The ride was a promotional thing for the Circus Althoff.

    • @misterfox6882
      @misterfox6882 5 лет назад +86

      The Elephant survied. Thats make the Schwebebahn-casulties to 0.

    • @scanida5070
      @scanida5070 5 лет назад +1

      @@misterfox6882 I know right? Sounds incredible...

  • @coreya2476
    @coreya2476 5 лет назад +5

    I enjoy your videos. They are both informative and entertaining.

  • @gradyzyner7423
    @gradyzyner7423 5 лет назад +14

    New subscriber. Been to Wuppertal solely to ride the tram. I was not disappointed. Love your posts so far.

  • @432Point
    @432Point 2 года назад

    Rode this last year. Worth every cent.

  • @katrinbaus2961
    @katrinbaus2961 4 года назад +1

    Amazing! Thanks a lot for that video. Even as a native German I had no idea that Wuppertal has this special railway👍

  • @uptowngirl22011
    @uptowngirl22011 5 лет назад +83

    I live there. I ride it everyday

    • @CamaroMann
      @CamaroMann 5 лет назад +53

      I don't want to be rude, but your facial expression seems to me more to indicate the the Deutsche Bahn-experience…

    • @albertolaboria5866
      @albertolaboria5866 5 лет назад +7

      @@CamaroMann the Deutsche Bahn is still better (denser, reasonably-priced, more reliable) than most national railways out there. way better than Amtrak in the US...

    • @CamaroMann
      @CamaroMann 5 лет назад +4

      @@albertolaboria5866 Better than Amtrak? Not hard to be, as you hear (not that I was there and could compare).
      No, that was more an allusion to the (felt) decline of the Deutsche Bahn since its privatization in 1994. Yes, it was loss-making, old wagons rumbled around, but those who drove were reliable. OK, there were no air conditioners, but at least they didn't fail if the outside temperature exceeded 25°C.
      Today you get the impression that there are five things that stand in the way of the trouble-free operation of the railway: Spring, summer, autumn, winter and customers. They really are a nuisance!
      In the course of privatization all even the smallest reserves were abolished, numerous lines were closed down, only to find out NOW that a trouble-free operation can no longer be guaranteed in this way. Surprise!
      Until 2029 ~51 billion € are to be invested in railway infrastructure (hopefully not only show-off stations again). Money that the DB (100% owned by the federal government since its conversion to an AG) has so far "saved" and must now be made available from public funds (i.e. just like before privatisation). What was it good for again?)
      On top of that, the railway also has a subsidiary called "DB Schenker", with which it competes in freight transport itself - and instead of transporting freight by rail, it shifts this to the motorway. May the managers who came up with this idea be attacked by 1000 crab louses, with both arms paralyzed at the same time.

    • @Bitplanebrother
      @Bitplanebrother 5 лет назад

      if you want to ride it every day...they have to fix it in first place..since they modernized it it´s more standing then running!
      greeting from Wuppertal

    • @CamaroMann
      @CamaroMann 5 лет назад

      @ghgg On which part (of my two statements) exactly do you refer to yours?

  • @ginseattle
    @ginseattle 5 лет назад +4

    I immediately thought of the suspension railway in Fahrenheit 451, but that's the one in France. This one is far more intriguing running over the Wupper. I only wish I knew about these spots the last time I was in NW Europe!

  • @klausbrinck2137
    @klausbrinck2137 5 лет назад +31

    Throught its single hinge, the Schwebebahn inclines in curves throught centrifugal force, and there´s not tilting and shaking of the passengers to the left and right all the time, as with groung-bound-vehicles!!!

    • @Don_Melon
      @Don_Melon 5 лет назад +1

      I'll most likely loose my spine from riding every day on Bucharest's shittiest, bounciest tram line

  • @Inspadave
    @Inspadave 3 года назад +1

    As someone that rides the Shonan Monorail on a near daily basis I appreciate this video.

  • @nighthawksoffice
    @nighthawksoffice Год назад

    Thank you for this video! I’ll go there soon to have a ride with it, beautiful place and fun ride.

  • @Yotanido
    @Yotanido 5 лет назад +3

    Your pronunciation of German words is on point!
    It was rather unexpected, to be honest. Thank you for making an effort.

  • @lars7935
    @lars7935 5 лет назад +140

    As far as I know there are just 8 suspension railways in the entrie world. 4 of them in Germany, 3 in Japan and one in the US.

    • @MrJstorm4
      @MrJstorm4 5 лет назад +4

      Are you counting the Disney monorail?

    • @lars7935
      @lars7935 5 лет назад +13

      @@MrJstorm4 Is that suspended?

    • @MrJstorm4
      @MrJstorm4 5 лет назад +8

      @@lars7935 sorry my mistake it's a straddle beam

    • @FindecanorNotGmail
      @FindecanorNotGmail 5 лет назад +42

      And at least one in Japan was built by German engineers

    • @ReadToasts
      @ReadToasts 5 лет назад +26

      Ah, yes. The one in Black Mesa

  • @entropy22
    @entropy22 4 года назад +20

    3:40 imagine living in the apartments on the side... lol you live on 2nd or 3rd floor and have a train pass by

    • @barvdw
      @barvdw 4 года назад +2

      Not that different to living on the ground floor, then. Except perhaps peeping toms can't hang around.

    • @peterfreeman6677
      @peterfreeman6677 3 года назад +1

      Just like in New York with the overhead subway tracks. I guess you get used to it.

    • @johansilwouden3403
      @johansilwouden3403 3 года назад +1

      When the Schwebebahn was introduced, some citizens started a lawsuit against the city, demanding them to provide curtains for their bedrooms, thus avoiding "indecent exposure".

    • @peterfreeman6677
      @peterfreeman6677 3 года назад +1

      @@johansilwouden3403 Were they successful? Did they get their curtains?

    • @johansilwouden3403
      @johansilwouden3403 3 года назад +3

      @@peterfreeman6677 Yes, they got their curtains! At least that is what I was told by the guide when I rode the historical "Kaiserwagen" in 2017, the train that was used for the inauguration of the line in 1900! It was called the "Kaiserwagen", because emperor Wilhelm II and his wife were present at this ride.

  • @jaspercroot4919
    @jaspercroot4919 4 года назад +1

    Think I’ve just found my new favourite channel , been watching all morning 🚂

  • @JohanSimonsson
    @JohanSimonsson 5 лет назад +1

    Way better than Scotts video on this topic since you actually told why it works here, keep up the good work :)

  • @MrJoysiq
    @MrJoysiq 5 лет назад +3

    I lived in bochum for a year and can't believe I totally missed this!

    • @JohnHazelwood58
      @JohnHazelwood58 4 года назад

      At least you had the greatest Currywurst in the worl! ... i hope so!?

  • @timsummers870
    @timsummers870 5 лет назад +4

    Thank you for the video! My family left Elberfeld in the summer of 1900 for a country south of the Ecuador. After the Second World War, Elberfeld as well as other surrounding towns merged to become a Wuppertal conurbation. I'm planning a trip to Germany for 2020 and will definitely make a stop in Wuppertal. From the pictures I've seen, the area is still very industrial, which doesn't make it as attractive to a tourist's eye as other parts of Germany. However, because I trace my roots at the place, I'm definitely going.

    • @Bitplanebrother
      @Bitplanebrother 5 лет назад +2

      you are right...our city is not very attractive..at least not in the valley...but we do have some places that could be interesting..some museum..an opera..some churches...

    • @timsummers870
      @timsummers870 5 лет назад

      @@Bitplanebrother : Cool, thank you. I read that the city was partially destroyed in the war but rebuilt to become almost exactly what it was before the war. It would be nice to see what life was like for my people before they left town. Judging from how industrial the place is, I imagine people must have been very hard working.

  • @calvingreene90
    @calvingreene90 5 лет назад +113

    They should put a pedestrian trail on top.

  • @colingodwin5104
    @colingodwin5104 4 года назад +1

    Wonderful and calming. Shows a different way of life...

  • @mirnakamilas6280
    @mirnakamilas6280 4 года назад

    Du, ja genau du! Du bist bestimmt ein Mensch aus Wuppertal, der sich freut mal was gutes über die Stadt zu hören, ich bin der Wuppertaler Kommentar, den du suchst.

  • @natick4
    @natick4 4 года назад +3

    I sure wish we had RUclips when I was stationed in Berlin in the early 90s... all the stuff I missed out on in Germany! Dang.

  • @marcgoecke9401
    @marcgoecke9401 5 лет назад +16

    Great video! I used to take the Schwebebahn for many years on my way to work or to school. But how could you not mention Tuffi, the elephant who was traveling with the Schwebebahn?

  • @royalbloodedledgend
    @royalbloodedledgend 3 года назад +13

    “🎶Monorail🎵”
    “🎶Monorail🎵”
    “🎶Monorail🎵”
    (Going through my head the entire video)

    • @xq8152
      @xq8152 3 года назад

      And it was sold to the town by a guy who just invented it and failed earlier attempts to sell it to other cities.

  • @LegendaryHopOnBaby
    @LegendaryHopOnBaby 2 года назад +1

    I experienced the danglebahn at the weekend! It's a mechanical marvel that it stays up there and the swing on it as it takes a curve is something to behold. Right, where to next...?

  • @raphaelnikolaus0486
    @raphaelnikolaus0486 Год назад

    Coming back to this having just watched Geoff's latest video. What a lovely narration, Tim! 👌

  • @69waveydavey
    @69waveydavey 5 лет назад +11

    "Alice in the cities" one of Wim Wenders masterpieces features this in the early 70's.

  • @momon969
    @momon969 5 лет назад +35

    4:09 I like how the conductors wave to each other

    • @klausbrinck2137
      @klausbrinck2137 5 лет назад +28

      Drivers of public transportation or motorcycle drivers (not scooter drivers, they are too "common") always wave to each other in Germany.

    • @alecnolastname4362
      @alecnolastname4362 5 лет назад +4

      I try to always wave at public transit workers.
      I dont know if people do it in other places but where I live 'we' usually thank them on the way out.

    • @daniabadeister1526
      @daniabadeister1526 4 года назад +9

      @@klausbrinck2137 I'd even say in Europe. At least in France, the UK, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany and Italy.

    • @flitsertheo
      @flitsertheo 4 года назад +5

      They do this in Belgium too and if you are really lucky they stop, open their window and start chatting to each other (probably just some urgent news but nevertheless) meanwhile blocking the whole road.

    • @YuureiInu
      @YuureiInu 4 года назад +3

      Bus driver in UK didn't have a change when I wanted to buy a ticket so he got out, stopped another bus in the middle of the road and borrowed some cash from the other driver. I was like "What have just happened?"

  • @Zoza15
    @Zoza15 5 лет назад +54

    Really wish we had something like this in The Netherlands.

    • @SchiwiM
      @SchiwiM 5 лет назад +11

      Well, no vallei, no Schwebebahn :p

    • @Zoza15
      @Zoza15 5 лет назад +11

      @@SchiwiM We would just call it Zweefbaan ;)

    • @tomhuijben1073
      @tomhuijben1073 4 года назад +3

      Droomvlucht does the trick...

    • @suides4810
      @suides4810 4 года назад +4

      Im sure you could build them over canals just fine

    • @felixbruil5769
      @felixbruil5769 4 года назад +2

      Ja, daarom gaan wij tenminste 1x per jaar vanuit Arnhem naar Wuppertal. Heerlijke stad!

  • @krollpeter
    @krollpeter 3 года назад +1

    This is a brilliant idea. I prefer that over any subway system, since I am able to see where I am going.

  • @michaelfiedler1419
    @michaelfiedler1419 4 года назад +1

    I remember having visited Wuppertal Zoo as a child, the Suspension train definitely left me in awe. Even though I oftentimes pass through the city, I only see these trains from a distance.

  • @delectantix2830
    @delectantix2830 5 лет назад +5

    I've taken I guess already 3 rides in my life. Thankfully my grandparents came from Wuppertal.

  • @stavrospapadimitriou7631
    @stavrospapadimitriou7631 5 лет назад +86

    No mention of Tuffi the elephant.

    • @RIXRADvidz
      @RIXRADvidz 5 лет назад +1

      you just did. there, you should be satisfied.

    • @dylonkejhu
      @dylonkejhu 4 года назад

      Aww

  • @IsoscelesKramer
    @IsoscelesKramer 5 лет назад +6

    Been curious about this ever since seeing it in the movie The Princess and the Warrior.

  • @vdbniels
    @vdbniels Год назад

    Great vids Tim. Thnx.

  • @stammoos
    @stammoos 4 года назад +2

    Greetings from Wuppertal at this point, your video was recommended and it is a small, but good one.
    A few facts from the Schwebebahn and the things that happend:
    + The elephant was called Tuffi and about to move to the local (new) zoo.
    + No he was fine when he fell of the Schwebebahn.
    + The older oney you can see in the video never were late or had delays.
    + Yes, the modern and new ones have a lot of delays and malfunctions.
    + No other country (for real) could copy the Schwebebahn as it is.
    Some tried to buy the "blueprints" them and stuff like that. For most Japan really tried (maybe even today) to get their hands on it xD
    Everyone who can afford it should make the little experience we call our daily routine for him-/herself.
    A little hint for the tourists: the modern Schwebebahn have a huge window at the back and is a good & the best seat to enjoy it. Even at night.

  • @packratswhatif.3990
    @packratswhatif.3990 5 лет назад +9

    This looks so cool, what a neat way to see the city. Beats having to ride underground with no view. Hay North America, take notice will ya ........

    • @packratswhatif.3990
      @packratswhatif.3990 5 лет назад

      colonel 100 : Well they built over a river, why cant we build over existing highways, roads, hydro right of ways (too dangerous ?), there must be viable alternatives then just “Under ground”. When working on the outer edges of the city, to keep the rails off the ground must have numerous advantages (a view) ....... just thinking out of the box .... a little.

    • @SirKolass
      @SirKolass 5 лет назад

      @@packratswhatif.3990 Dude, they're not going to spend more money just because you want to look through a window. Those aren't tourist rides.

    • @packratswhatif.3990
      @packratswhatif.3990 5 лет назад

      Koalas : Oh so true !

    • @2712animefreak
      @2712animefreak 4 года назад

      @colonel 100 "You are squeezing them between buildings that are hundreds of ft tall. There's just no room on the surface in huge cities"
      Chicago: Am I a joke to you?

  • @ivanfraevich942
    @ivanfraevich942 5 лет назад +51

    "It's very rare for sheep to wander onto the line"

    • @charliecartwright491
      @charliecartwright491 3 года назад +3

      Rare, not never.

    • @peterullinger2814
      @peterullinger2814 3 года назад

      On the other side, there was that one elephant that once fall off the Schwebebahn.
      Not kidding.
      Look it up.

  • @maplady572
    @maplady572 6 лет назад +9

    Super video! I want to go to Wuppertal now *just* to ride on the suspension railway!

    • @TheTimTraveller
      @TheTimTraveller  6 лет назад +1

      Cheers Karen! I highly recommend it - admittedly there's not much else to see in Wuppertal, but then, who needs anything else when you've got one of these :)

    • @fundelgurgel3913
      @fundelgurgel3913 5 лет назад +1

      @@TheTimTraveller there's plenty to see, you just need to know where.

    • @fundelgurgel3913
      @fundelgurgel3913 5 лет назад

      @Hallison Michel that's what you say. Just different opinions.

  • @colinricgmailcom
    @colinricgmailcom 2 года назад

    It brought back a few memories... I/we had a trip on it when we were on tour there (I was the lead guitarist with the band "Wild Wally"). It suddenly made me realise that was about 50 years ago!

  • @robtyman4281
    @robtyman4281 5 лет назад

    Fascinating video! Now we know why Wuppertal has this, rather than trams or an underground. Will have to check the city out! Thanks Tim

  • @t.f.6180
    @t.f.6180 5 лет назад +39

    If you choose to visit Wuppertal you can also go for some historical Places like the birthplace of Friedrich Engels(communism). The house is still intact today. Even some older houses dating back to the 16-17th century. The zoo is also one of the oldest in Germany but you have to be willing to do a little hike because its imbedded into the hillside. Good thing is that Wuppertal is bordering the Ruhr and the Rhine area so you can reach the most major citys in the area within 40 minutes. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuppertal

    • @Thirdeariespace
      @Thirdeariespace 5 лет назад +2

      Also quite possibly the most famous contemporary dance company in the world, the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. Never been, but that's by far the best known thing about the city in my circles. :)

    • @pseudoproak
      @pseudoproak 4 года назад

      Wie sind denn so die Mieten? Ich bin in Düsseldorf aufgewachsen und fürs Studium weggezogen. Allerdings wirkt es nicht so, als könne ich mir nachm Studium ohne Probleme die Miete für eine nette Wohnung in meiner Heimat leisten :'(

    • @eltfell
      @eltfell 4 года назад

      Correction: The birthplace of Friedrich Engels was bombed in WWII and is destroyed. The current Engels House is the house were he was raised and spent his youth.

  • @wahlex841
    @wahlex841 4 года назад +22

    "Lol the floor is lava!" - Wuppertal engineers, probably.

  • @ayah922
    @ayah922 6 лет назад +7

    Love your vids, thanks!

  • @QuantumRift
    @QuantumRift 5 лет назад

    I find it elegant and beautiful in its own right. And of course, PERFECT for it's setting....

  • @zanelindsay1267
    @zanelindsay1267 Год назад

    Great story !!! This video provides an excellent, concise, informative and fascinating explanation about the history and rationale of an unusual transit system. It could be argued that the overhead railway didn't really enhance the scenic qualities of the river area but it was the only available corridor for a new transit line. This account really expanded my knowledge of the subject.