“Elevator… G… has arrived” I never get tired of watching these. Let alone riding them. A friend of mine lives 40 miles north of Pittsburgh, and I bet he’d love to check these out.
As a Pitt Engineering student in the late 1960s, one of my part-time jobs was elevator operator in the C of L... This was of course before they were automated. 0n ground floor was a master annunciator board showing floor locations of all the cars. Individual lamps for each floor for each shaft... No seven segment displays, lol.
Cool… I just wish they were still original. Fun fact, I found an original Westinghouse VR service elevator in Atlantic City in June of last year. But of course… When I found it, it was the last one in a set of three that was being modernized. I’m sure they’re done by now. I reached out for parts multiple times and never heard back. I like to think that there’s still a handful of elevators with these fixtures out there though.
This may be my favorite one so far! I love the contrast between the Gothic arches and the stunning, new technology of the elevator. Thank you for posting!
About the other original Westy VR set remaining - sadly I just heard about extensive renovation plans for that building. I think those are at serious risk right now. Also an alteration just popped-up for 1 of the cars (although this could just be a rope replacement or something).
Oh no… aren’t there a few elevators in that area with VR call stations at least? Also, aren’t you from Pittsburgh? Do you think if they are unfortunately modernized that you will get stuff from them given how rare they are?
I was also one of the first to record these when they were upgraded to Otis CompassPlus and no doubt one of the last to record them when they were still Westinghouse. (Did I also mention I almost got killed by one of these elevators when they were still Westinghouse Slectomatic? The freaking door censor was messed-up!)
“Elevator… G… has arrived”
I never get tired of watching these. Let alone riding them. A friend of mine lives 40 miles north of Pittsburgh, and I bet he’d love to check these out.
Ah the famous Otis Compass in Pittsburgh! Definitely need to check this place out!
Cool!
As a Pitt Engineering student in the late 1960s, one of my part-time jobs was elevator operator in the C of L... This was of course before they were automated. 0n ground floor was a master annunciator board showing floor locations of all the cars. Individual lamps for each floor for each shaft... No seven segment displays, lol.
Cool… I just wish they were still original.
Fun fact, I found an original Westinghouse VR service elevator in Atlantic City in June of last year.
But of course… When I found it, it was the last one in a set of three that was being modernized. I’m sure they’re done by now. I reached out for parts multiple times and never heard back. I like to think that there’s still a handful of elevators with these fixtures out there though.
Perhaps the most FAMOUS elevators in Pittsburgh since the closure of the former Kaufmann's/Macy's store downtown.
This may be my favorite one so far! I love the contrast between the Gothic arches and the stunning, new technology of the elevator. Thank you for posting!
The o car elevator used to have a Epco SSL call button but it’s gone now
About the other original Westy VR set remaining - sadly I just heard about extensive renovation plans for that building. I think those are at serious risk right now. Also an alteration just popped-up for 1 of the cars (although this could just be a rope replacement or something).
Oof. I'm glad I made it there when I did!
Oh no… aren’t there a few elevators in that area with VR call stations at least?
Also, aren’t you from Pittsburgh? Do you think if they are unfortunately modernized that you will get stuff from them given how rare they are?
There's 2 confirmed others w/ those hall stations. And I don't know.
I was also one of the first to record these when they were upgraded to Otis CompassPlus and no doubt one of the last to record them when they were still Westinghouse. (Did I also mention I almost got killed by one of these elevators when they were still Westinghouse Slectomatic? The freaking door censor was messed-up!)
Idk how old the actual building is. It reminds me of Hogwarts.
I believe it was built in the 1920’s