Westinghouse Selectomatic Traction Elevators - Wells Fargo Center - Duluth, MN

These are the vintage Westinghouse Selectomatic traction elevators in the Wells Fargo Center in Duluth, Minnesota. These are extremely nice elevators that still work well given their age. I believe they were installed sometime in the 1950's and are largely untouched since then. A few odd things happened around 4:35 though. I pressed level 8 but the elevator didn't want to move. Then I sent another elevator up to 8 but it stopped at level 3. I'm not sure what was happening there, but it was probably just because I filmed this around closing time and most of the floors get locked off after hours.
These elevators were modernized by Schindler in 2014. To see what these look like after the modernization, follow this link: • Westy/Schindler Tracti... .

[@DieselDucy]

THANKS AGAIN for sending me stuff from here

[@NorthlandElevators]

No problem!

[@Ih8kone]

I'm glad you got it. Westinghouse never disappointed.

[@erikmagnuson974]

Those elevators have a perforated grid celling

[@chewbaccamotor1306]

4:54 when the Westy wants to close, the Westy will always close!!

[@ElevateMN]

These are still my favorite elevators in the state, never get tired of taking a spin. I've talked with the owners of the building a few times, and they don't mind filming as long as its not in the bank areas.

[@Ih8kone]

They got MODDED by SCHINDLER.

[@NorthlandElevators]

Cool! That's kinda what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure. I guess it's kinda neat that I caught that on camera then.

[@zackcacciapalle6405]

These are amazing! They are one of the only systems I know of with lighted pop out buttons! Did anyone save the COPs?

[@NorthlandElevators]

I have many of them, yes.

[@zackcacciapalle6405]

@@NorthlandElevators Good to know that someone saved them, especially because they have the rare lighted pop out buttons.

[@chewbaccamotor1306]

5:49 this car next just lit up!

[@Dana_Danarosana]

You were there right as they were locking them down. They only run between 1 & 2 for the skywalk after hours unless you have a key to access the other floors.

[@Dana_Danarosana]

I just saw the crates of Schindler parts on the AB level this morning. :-(

[@NorthlandElevators]

Thanks! Yeah I'm not even sure if they have any security guards in this building. As far as I know, they seem to be kind to elevator photographers as long as we're not doing anything wrong :)

[@DieselDucy]

are these still original?

[@NorthlandElevators]

Unfortunately, they are in the process of being modernized by Schindler. Only one of three is still original, and will be modded very soon :(

[@exoticcar5482]

Northland Elevators NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Schindler (more like shitler) elevators suck compared to these treasures!

[@NorthlandElevators]

Well actually, I think Schindler is doing a pretty quality job on the modernization. These original Westys were cool, but they sometimes just didn't work right...bringing people to floors they didn't want to go to, etc. It is time for an upgrade. But yeah, it's always sad to see such nice vintage elevators being modded.

[@ag6371]

I MISS THESE FIXTURES, ESPECIALLY THAT FAMOUS HALL LANTERN

[@ag6371]

YES

[@shaunsandhu9151]

LISTEN TO THOSE RELAYS!

[@TXMNElevators]

Man what a sad loss. There is one kinda like this in St Paul to make up for this :)

[@NorthlandElevators]

Yeah, I hope I'll get to ride those sometime before those are gone too

[@TXMNElevators]

Northland Elevators I rode those Monday and are still original.

[@NorthlandElevators]

That's good. The soonest I can get to them is around Christmas, and I'd imagine they won't be touched by then. I'll have to try and make a special trip..

[@TXMNElevators]

Northland Elevators yeah, one has been modded, but that was in the 90s for ADA, I wouldn't worry about them getting modded soon.

[@TXMNElevators]

Northland Elevators also check out Hennipen Square, they have touch sensitive Otis, and 1600 Spruce Tree has 2 Vectors.

[@davidperkins3085]

We (INREIT - owner of the Wells Fargo Building in Duluth, MN) will be installing new elevators in the Wells Fargo Building in September. If you are interested in purchasing any of these parts, please contact me directly at 701-353-2722. Thank you for your interest.

[@mannyistheman2221]

The problem is these Westy's are very old and the company that made these things no longer is in business. Schindler took over the elevator division of Westinghouse. This particular elevator parts are harder and harder to find. The Woodner Hotel in Washington DC which opened in 1952 had vintage westinghouse elevator equipment and those things worked well. They had no choice to upgrade them because it was near impossible to find parts for them. If something broke, they would have to custom build a part which can be very expensive. These Westy's are special and were MADE IN THE UNITED STATES by American Workers. These elevators were built to last. The stuff they make today is a JOKE. These newer elevators at best will last about 10 years if THAT.

[@ag6371]

You can fin/* in the elevaTOURS international elevator museum by dieselducy

[@exoticcar5482]

That's no problem until maintenance is required