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

Wuppertal has possibly the world's most badass public transport: a 120-year-old swingin' suspension railway. But the question is: why? When everyone else was busy building trams and undergrounds, what made Wuppertal say "NOPE", and build this instead?
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Tom Scott Video:
• Why Wuppertal's Suspen...
Kaiserwagen photo:
By Own work - JuergenG, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
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With 12 months to go before Brexit, I am spending the year travelling around the EU and visiting interesting places. Kind of an EU Farewell Tour. If you enjoyed this video, please hit like and subscribe to the channel, and I will make more.

[@TheTimTraveller]

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]

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

[@bbuttons7941]

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

[@classonbread5757]

@@johnsmith-wx5fb one of the

[@how2what4]

I was about to mention there are a few in Japan, here's one I like to ride in kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpOZoIifj8qIjM0

[@millomweb]

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

[@DailyDiscountNL]

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

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

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

[@SuperTamaru]

And with their powers combined, they become Deutche Bahn

[@civishamburgum1234]

The last one is a tourist trap though.

[@markusz4447]

you misspelled Reeperbahn :P

[@DailyDiscountNL]

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

[@PythonPlusPlus]

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

[@gaspersverko4055]

PythonPlusPlus you can still jump down

[@SchiwiM]

You just get wet 😁

[@peterstepanov8062]

@@RobespierreThePoof Illuminati: Don't fucking move

[@ACEsParkJunheeWreckedMeHard]

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

[@NewBlueTrue]

PythonPlusPlus You have to jump up

[@QuiltingCrow]

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]

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

[@QuiltingCrow]

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

[@Carrylane]

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

[@robinz.9774]

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

[@normanusrex7910]

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.

[@lookiloo4665]

They should put glass floors in it, obviously

[@bard1250]

also people get dizzy

[@hoherspatz9573]

which makes it super dirty and hard to clean

[@lookiloo4665]

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

[@Meskalin_]

It's a VERKEHRSMITTEL and not a VERGNÜGUNGSPARK ATTRAKTION

[@donnerschwein]

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

[@fireaza]

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]

:D :D :D

[@bierkules2608]

Back then where German engineering was gold. xD

[@christopherg2347]

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]

Lol, back..when? 😂

[@Weisior]

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

[@KemalYusup]

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

[@markfryer9880]

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

[@mapgravy]

@@markfryer9880 and they put shrimp on the barbie

[@markfryer9880]

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

[@markfryer9880]

@@mapgravy we call them Prawns.

[@alexeibradley-malcolm2462]

@@mapgravy Prawns not Shrimp.

[@patriciabristow-johnson5951]

"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

[@skiingcrocodile2153]

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

[@aSameplayer]

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

[@PenPeng]

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]

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

[@BenJamin-en3jb]

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]

😂😂

[@eledelapido]

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

[@ahhcaffeine9948]

it will there is actually a suspended monorail system

[@Liftium]

@@ahhcaffeine9948 Yeah but we want suspended trams

[@ahhcaffeine9948]

@@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

[@-Gous-]

@@ahhcaffeine9948 nah, he means suspended monorail

[@user-mc8cj3ls6m]

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

[@kaidrache2395]

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]

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

[@TrollsliterZZ]

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]

thanks for the information its on my bucket list

[@DisgruntledDoomer]

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

[@timsummers870]

@ @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?

[@copypaste4097]

@@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]

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

[@FindecanorNotGmail]

I had never heard about this, when my train to Düsseldorf paused in Wuppertal right near the suspension railway and a trainset _schwebt_ by.. Whoa! I was astonished.

[@friedolin705]

Btw. In Düsseldorf is one too. At the airport.

[@tijmen131]

I had the same experience, so astonished and weirded out

[@campkira]

with glass floor.. it would be terrify... good for amusment park. not a good tranport... hope it is well maintain since if something broken.. you are going down... with nothing on the floor...

[@cheesecakepaws]

@@campkira It was invented in 1906 and until this day they have only been 4 accidents so far, in all of those, nearly nobody was hurt and only about 6 people have died in total when you count together all death from all accidents. It's the safest transportation system in the world actually :)

[@luisenflo8764]

@@friedolin705 But that is a magnetic train at the airport Düsseldorf! In Wuppertal it's really a train with tracks ... just upstairs😍

[@TheHolyMongolEmpire]

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]

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

[@madeyestudios8357]

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

[@cedmaster2000]

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

[@millomweb]

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

[@Anakianaj]

@@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]

@@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]

The elephant was just pretending to be dumbo

[@eliad6543]

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

[@markuss3735]

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).

[@HauntedXXXPancake]

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

[@Oxideacid]

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

[@peterfreeman6677]

Never say never. Aardman Animations may yet do a "Shaun the Sheep in Wuppertal" special :)

[@Thunderwingisatakenalias]

Sheep: No_gravitation_prototype.jav

[@kundendienst6274]

German humor.

[@Thunderwingisatakenalias]

@@kundendienst6274 Ja

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

You act like you haven't seen a flying sheep before.

[@theblah12]

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

[@thomasbarlow4223]

Yea thats weird

[@XRedXDragon]

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

[@threepingsthree]

Road Anarchy enabled. The Chirper is red

[@BenJamin-en3jb]

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

[@xcruell]

What's so weird about it?

[@richardbertouche]

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

[@Robbity]

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

[@gigagurke7364]

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

[@Robbity]

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

[@paigecunningham]

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]

@@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]

What did you even type to get that emoji? Lmao

[@PlexingtonSteel]

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

[@dickmartino9933]

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

[@WoodymC]

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]

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

[@menzac8892]

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

[@WoodymC]

@@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]

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

[@adamorick2872]

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]

Or just build a tracks above the road...

[@user-xg8yy7yl1d]

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]

The issue is with any accident you need the ladders of the firedepartment to get people out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGWui3-Zq7KEjck 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]

@@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]

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

[@El_Presidente_5337]

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

[@VigilanteAgumon]

"The grass is always greener..."

[@Corffel2]

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]

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

[@eruc4828]

im living there rn and i was very confused xD

[@TheVipter]

@@Corffel2 Facts

[@peterscarborough1612]

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...

[@scanida5070]

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

[@Mallefrats]

Yes, a small elephant

[@fraunull1572]

Tuffi

[@eltfell]

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

[@misterfox6882]

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

[@scanida5070]

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

[@ChrisTian-co4oc]

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

[@julianosvonskingrad7009]

*hold my steel beams

[@ZedNinetySix_]

"Hold my beer... ...upside down!"

[@silent_shadow6157]

german people never say: hold my beer.

[@michealflaithbheartaigh4139]

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

[@Dark__Thoughts]

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.

[@nicolevardakas7920]

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

[@tristanleport3580]

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

[@ThatForeignBloke]

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

[@entropy22]

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]

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

[@peterfreeman6677]

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

[@johansilwouden3403]

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]

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

[@johansilwouden3403]

@@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.

[@feraf]

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.

[@Quasihamster]

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]

@jeanluc305 1987

[@Quasihamster]

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

[@malekruxo5126]

And there was the Bergbahn also

[@malekruxo5126]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4iYmmR3iMihmsU

[@heuldoch7652]

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]

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

[@cr5418]

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 :)

[@susanh1482]

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!!!!!

[@calvingreene90]

They should put a pedestrian trail on top.

[@momon969]

Or a bike path!

[@LeZylox]

@@momon969 or both

[@TulioSounds]

or not

[@quotywood3862]

Or a motorcycle race track

[@KemalYusup]

Or a plane runways!

[@catalindeluxus8545]

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]

Greetings from Serbia.

[@willasn9080]

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

[@krollpeter]

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

[@lukelloyd7934]

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

[@lars7935]

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]

Are you counting the Disney monorail?

[@lars7935]

@@MrJstorm4 Is that suspended?

[@MrJstorm4]

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

[@FindecanorNotGmail]

And at least one in Japan was built by German engineers

[@ReadToasts]

Ah, yes. The one in Black Mesa

[@chaimilch6008]

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]

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

[@fynnhuttersen6507]

mit dem ding besoffen fahren ist aber jedesmal nen krampf

[@vinniesaccount]

@@fynnhuttersen6507 setz dich hin und genieß den Flug

[@vinniesaccount]

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

[@WoodymC]

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

[@klausbrinck2137]

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]

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

[@arvibi3084]

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

[@momon969]

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

[@klausbrinck2137]

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

[@alecnolastname4362]

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]

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

[@flitsertheo]

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]

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?"

[@uptowngirl22011]

I live there. I ride it everyday

[@CamaroMann]

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

[@albertolaboria5866]

@@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]

@@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]

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]

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

[@josdesouza]

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

[@paulgoodman8476]

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.

[@gradyzyner7423]

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

[@royalbloodedledgend]

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

[@xq8152]

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

[@martinsplichal1581]

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

[@0Adnin]

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

[@stavrospapadimitriou7631]

No mention of Tuffi the elephant.

[@RIXRADvidz]

you just did. there, you should be satisfied.

[@dylonkejhu]

Aww

[@Steroumel]

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

[@TheTimTraveller]

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

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

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

[@marcfuchs6938]

Now living somewhat close to Wuppertal for 12 years, I have not yet taken the Schwebebahn, it's a shame. But I will do, especially recently I was given obligations, which take me to Wuppertal twice a month. Gotta take it some time this year!

[@patrickl2195]

I need to get from one end of Wuppertal to the other in a hurry, so I can’t hang around. Oh, wait...

[@klausbrinck2137]

Best!

[@ivanfraevich942]

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

[@charliecartwright491]

Rare, not never.

[@peterullinger2814]

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

[@ericmosher6969]

years later I still like to come back and revisit some of the original videos.

[@Inspadave]

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

[@carlosfurukawa6133]

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! 👍

[@marcgoecke9401]

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?

[@peterfreeman6677]

Tuffi left the train rather abruptly :(

[@stammoos]

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.

[@LegendaryHopOnBaby]

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...?

[@natick4]

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

[@MrJoysiq]

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

[@JohnHazelwood58]

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

[@crystalmorrow4957]

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

[@JURacing]

I live only 1 hour away from Wuppertal and have been there often. But I never did take a ride in the Schwebebahn. Thanks for this great video.

[@LordSesshaku]

Wuppertal holds a very special place for me. It's amazing how chance and fate made such a little town and it's weird transport system ended up having that much influence on the mind of a far away argentinean. The first time I found about it was when watching the enchanting Alice in den Städten, you have to understand that the style of the movie, combined with such an alien landscape that I never saw or imagined before, made it as stimulant as an image as any high budget fantasy film. The second reason was the french band Indochine, it has a song called Wuppertal, and it's also completely mesmerizing.

[@willasn9080]

Thanks for your nice text. I hope you can one day visit wuppertal, it's on CNN's top 20 places to visit :)

[@SVanHutten]

When I was a little boy, my dad showed me his childhood picture stamp album _Wonders of the World_ issued in Argentina by Nestle around 1942. One of the pages (by chance complete) was about odd railways: among projects, prototypes and trade fair curiosities there was the Schwebebahn (referred as the Barmen-Elberfeld railway). Some decades later, thanks to the internet, I learned it was still in operation. And this year I had, at last, the opportunity to visit Wuppertal and take a glorious ride on the Schwebebahn. Greetings from a fellow countryman.

[@69waveydavey]

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

[@michaelfiedler1419]

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.

[@jaspercroot4919]

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

[@coreya2476]

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

[@obeseboy597]

"Einmal im Leben durch Wuppertal schweben" means Hover trough Wuppertal once

[@_modiX]

Obese Boy Hover through Wuppertal once in your life*

[@carlosandleon]

Once in your life Hover through Wuppertal*

[@xcruell]

@@carlosandleon In your life through hover once Wuppertal*

[@zyrmaxkodin4249]

*Hover life once Wuppertal your in through

[@MeridianCosmo]

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

[@Petra44YT]

I love the Schwebebahn. A bit slow, compared to the S-Bahn, but still, it's quite nice. :-) One of these days, I must go to Wuppertal again.

[@Zoza15]

Really wish we had something like this in The Netherlands.

[@SchiwiM]

Well, no vallei, no Schwebebahn :p

[@Zoza15]

@@SchiwiM We would just call it Zweefbaan ;)

[@tomhuijben1073]

Droomvlucht does the trick...

[@suides4810]

Im sure you could build them over canals just fine

[@felixbruil5769]

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

[@ginseattle]

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!

[@colinricgmailcom]

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!

[@katrinbaus2961]

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

[@patrickmoody9367]

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

[@wahlex841]

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

[@lemagreengreen]

Always wanted to visit Wuppertal to ride this interesting suspended subway thing.

[@MaryOKC]

I can see why build a suspension Railway...prevents animals and people from standing in front of an oncoming train car...and it looks neat. It reminds me of lifts on ski hills.

[@delectantix2830]

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

[@davegreenlaw5654]

As a fan of science fiction, and especially steampunk, seeing so many Jules Verne inspired drawings of 'cities of the future', I always wondered where the inspiration for all the depictions of suspended rail cars came from. Well, now I know.

[@sagichnicht6748]

Back in those days, the Schwebebahn was the next big thing. That's why you it is a common place in science fiction cards and stories of that era as well and when you are looking at the one in Wuppertal I think it is also easy to see where the fascinatino was coming from.

[@joemcmanus3585]

I really, really like the aesthetic of the steel beam supports and the overhead track

[@zanelindsay1267]

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.

[@Yotanido]

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

[@Kellerkind80]

Nice to know: On the 21st of July 1950 a young elephant cow named Tuffi was transported with the Schwebebahn. She panicked and broke through the wall of the Schwebebahn. She then fell down 10 metres into the river Wupper but had only minor injuries. And all this happened in front of the Elefantenapotheke (Apotheke is a pharmacy. They are very often named after animals, but this coincidence is pretty funny)

[@kittenastrophy5951]

What a miraculous thing! Given that the elephant even can't jump or leap since their physical structure will be damage by their own weight.

[@Seewolf-ne7us]

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

[@JohanSimonsson]

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

[@lohphat]

There are hanging monorails in Japan -- they are great for uneven terrain where flat trams won't work but they need a LOT of steel which makes them expensive to install. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGbIep9vmrCdnKM including supports, these SAFEGE-type suspended monorails use 75-100x the amount of steel than standard trams use. Not cheap at all. But are perfect for areas where tunneling is impractical and sharing the roadway would add to congestion delays. Also, by enclosing the bogeys in the steel box they avoid rain and snow traction problems.

[@emin86]

those type of trains are nearly everywhere. Düsseldorf Airport and the Dortmund Technology Park are some examples in Germany.

[@vaderetro7530]

(Fun)fact: An elephant fell out of there once.

[@adrianrosianu710]

Really cool town Wuppertal, and riding the schwebebahn is like a rollercoaster going slower but more conveniance

[@stephenverchinski409]

I can imagine a system like this in Albuquerque going from downtown to uptown to Tijeras using the area above the I-40 drainage channel.