Wuppertal Suspension Monorail

The Wuppertal Schwebebahn (suspension monorail in Wuppertal, Germany) is a bit of infrastructure that is NOT being left to decay.

The system has been maintained, and the technology updated periodically with several new varieties of rail cars. Old stations have been disassembled and completely rebuilt, including the addition of modern conveniences, such as elevators. The original design has been preserved as much as possible.

The railway was heavily damaged by air-raids during World War II, but the stations that were damaged were rebuilt and the system was open in 1946.

The rails and supports have had various problems over the years, they have been updated and maintained. Most recently a section failed in 2018, which caused the system to be closed for 8 months, but it reopened in the summer of 2019.

When running normally, the system moves 65,479 people per weekday, but it is only operating on the weekends at this time. Regular service should resume in August.

The photo above is of the suspension railway, taken on its morning test run. The image, by Max Grobecker, is from WikiMedia Commons. It shows the section of the line between the stations "Adlerbrücke" and "Alter Markt" in 2016. Click the image for a larger view. I like that photo because it clearly shows the new car, the support structure for the railway, and how the cars are suspended from the track.

The photo below, also from WikiMedia Commons, is of the Kaiserwagen. It was taken by Jürgen Götzke from Stuttgart, Germany. Click the image for a larger view and more information. It is named for Kaiser Wilhelm II and his consort Augusta Victoria, who rode in this carriage in 1900.

The Kaiserwagen is a preserved carriage built for the Wuppertal Schwebebahn in 1900, and which still periodically operates.

I included that 2nd photo because it is the style of car you find in the following video.

The video below is "The Flying Train" from Wuppertal, Germany. The film, originally silent and black & white, is from the Museum of Modern Art Collection. It was colorized and music/sound effects were added. The video was also slowed from the somewhat frenetic pace usually found in early 20th Century black & white films.

Hat tip to Small Dead Animals.