The city with a hundred private cable cars

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 มี.ค. 2023
  • Wellington, in New Zealand, has more than a hundred private cable cars. I found out why. ■ Access Automation: accessauto.co.nz/ ■ Rose's book: teherengawakapress.co.nz/all-...
    Editor: Michelle Martin / mrsmmartin
    Producer: Virginia Wickham at Kevin & Co www.kevinandco.co.nz/
    🟥 MORE FROM TOM: www.tomscott.com/
    (you can find contact details and social links there too)
    📰 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with good stuff from the rest of the internet: www.tomscott.com/newsletter/
    ❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: lateralcast.com/ / lateralcast
    ➕ TOM SCOTT PLUS: / tomscottplus
    👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: / techdif

ความคิดเห็น • 2K

  • @TomScottGo
    @TomScottGo  ปีที่แล้ว +1180

    I've got a podcast! It's called Lateral, it's about interesting questions and answers, and it's at lateralcast.com with highlights at th-cam.com/users/lateralcast - already live are episodes with Simone Giertz, Devin "LegalEagle" Stone, Wren from Corridor Crew, and loads more; and we've got Mark Rober, Xyla Foxlin, Jabrils and a load of other folks on upcoming episodes.

    • @Toby_Shepheard
      @Toby_Shepheard ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Hi past Tom

    • @xslvrxslwt
      @xslvrxslwt ปีที่แล้ว +19

      nine whole days 😳

    • @xslvrxslwt
      @xslvrxslwt ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@Toby_Shepheard Hi past Toby

    • @Bibibosh
      @Bibibosh ปีที่แล้ว

      Tom scott should revisit the Old's Elevator.

    • @synthwav_
      @synthwav_ ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Oooh, awesome! I'll check this out after this video :D

  • @radudilirici
    @radudilirici ปีที่แล้ว +3414

    Tom trying every possible rail vehicle should be its own mini-series.

    • @subn0rma1
      @subn0rma1 ปีที่แล้ว +82

      He really took this rollercoaster thing to the maximum level

    • @cadekachelmeier7251
      @cadekachelmeier7251 ปีที่แล้ว +46

      I only saw 1 rail on some of these, so technically they're a monorail.

    • @AMPProf
      @AMPProf ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Third this motion!
      Calling for a fourth?!?!¡‽

    • @lsedge7280
      @lsedge7280 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      In this case, technically another monorail.

    • @Dong_Harvey
      @Dong_Harvey ปีที่แล้ว +1

      If only he can fund the rebuild of the Irish Horse-congealing Pneumatic Vacuum Rail Rocket!

  • @CristiNeagu
    @CristiNeagu ปีที่แล้ว +12413

    If the cable car is $120,000, I don't even want to know how expensive the house is.

    • @panda4247
      @panda4247 ปีที่แล้ว +1175

      Maybe a substantial part of it is for the terrain work... (where to put the pillars, and actually installing them in the middle of the hill). That might be comparable to to laying the base of the house itself.
      It's definitely an interesting question to guesstimate this

    • @themitochondriaisthepowerh9177
      @themitochondriaisthepowerh9177 ปีที่แล้ว +2236

      Certified NZ housing crisis moment

    • @snowkatyoutube1419
      @snowkatyoutube1419 ปีที่แล้ว +1233

      At least $5 i think

    • @yougoslavia
      @yougoslavia ปีที่แล้ว +306

      It costs millions and billions of New Zealand dollars.

    • @doctorgames101b
      @doctorgames101b ปีที่แล้ว +93

      In my perspective, It should be just as expensive as the cable car. Because most of the expenses would go towards the maintenance of the cable car(s) on the house's property.

  • @lasagnahog7695
    @lasagnahog7695 ปีที่แล้ว +2447

    I'm blown away by the dude being aware enough to say that he's ready to pass the torch. It's refreshing to see.

    • @Kstang09
      @Kstang09 ปีที่แล้ว +196

      Noticed that right away, I bet he'd be a primo boss to work for. Very self aware.

    • @garrisonsan
      @garrisonsan ปีที่แล้ว +41

      "Bachelor's required, master's preferred"

    • @sacleocheaterz
      @sacleocheaterz ปีที่แล้ว +74

      @@garrisonsan Definitely seems more like a family-run thing.

    • @seanj3667
      @seanj3667 ปีที่แล้ว +161

      He also just told a large audience "this business is for sale".

    • @user-gq2vn1xj2r
      @user-gq2vn1xj2r ปีที่แล้ว +121

      Not only aware - smart. He is advertising his business for sale at a point of maximum valuation.

  • @mariusimholz5454
    @mariusimholz5454 ปีที่แล้ว +3779

    These are also common here in Switzerland, as communes are often built into hillsides. I've never thought of them as "cable cars", more like stairlifts, but outdoors

    • @ffvgaming3735
      @ffvgaming3735 ปีที่แล้ว +73

      In Switzerland when i visited i always see them being called Gondolas/Furniculars rather than cable cars which suprised me.

    • @Estok8805
      @Estok8805 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      I wasn't able to quickly find any information on your swiss versions online, but are your swiss versions pullled up by a cable? Because most stairlifts that I've seen operate like a toothed railway, so if your swiss versions operate like the starilifts I mention then you'd be right in not thinking of them as cable cars.

    • @mariusimholz5454
      @mariusimholz5454 ปีที่แล้ว +41

      @@Estok8805 the residential ones are mostly cable cars, altough I have also seen some toothed ones. I've never ridden one since the terrace homes that use them are mostly owned by elderly people.

    • @mariusimholz5454
      @mariusimholz5454 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@ffvgaming3735 are you talking about the public funiculars or strictly the private cable cars?

    • @Maurazio
      @Maurazio ปีที่แล้ว +14

      usually they are cable pulled, with cable on the bottom. commonly called funicular although legally they may be called inclined elevator

  • @rileyharville8379
    @rileyharville8379 ปีที่แล้ว +3712

    Mark seems to be a good guy with such a positive attitude towards life. I dont know how you always find great guests for these videos, but i always feel lucky to hear from people who are passionate about what they do.

    • @felixmervamee7834
      @felixmervamee7834 ปีที่แล้ว +89

      Agreed. There is nothing quite like a person who is allowed to realise a dream or make a living doing something they perceive as good and fulfilling. Great examples to look up to.

    • @MatthewAHaas
      @MatthewAHaas ปีที่แล้ว +30

      Mark seems great! Id love to have a pint with him.

    • @RisingRevengeance
      @RisingRevengeance ปีที่แล้ว +28

      If you ask for people involved in something you're probably more likely to get people that enjoy talking about it and take pride in what they do.
      I mean I wouldn't be happy to tell people what I did for a living but I could talk for days about my hobbies, similar stuff.

    • @ssl3546
      @ssl3546 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      I am sure the lady with the tattoo and crazy accent is the one who wrote to Tom and suggested the video. He gets suggestions all the time.

    • @RareTS
      @RareTS ปีที่แล้ว +15

      i would be positive too if i was making 30 mil+ off cable cars

  • @arininquotes8396
    @arininquotes8396 ปีที่แล้ว +5326

    I'm not physically disabled myself, but I really appreciate Tom emphasizing that this isn't about laziness, that some people have a legitimate and practical need for this kind of tool.

    • @MichaelAW17
      @MichaelAW17 ปีที่แล้ว +77

      What worries me is when the cable car stops working after hours. Or maybe it is not a simple fix? You could lose access to your house.

    • @andrewalexander9492
      @andrewalexander9492 ปีที่แล้ว +410

      @@MichaelAW17 I would imagine that the companies which service those have 24 hours callout for their technicians. it's not much different than an elevator. If you're living in a multi-floor apartment building, and your elevator gets stuck between floors on Friday night, you don't have to wait in the elevator until the company opens on Monday morning.

    • @SeanA099
      @SeanA099 ปีที่แล้ว +81

      I can’t imagine having to move furniture up and down those stairs

    • @bricelory9534
      @bricelory9534 ปีที่แล้ว +137

      Agreed - and you can tell by the stairways next to the cars in the video, that these are *serious* inclines - and having to do them day in and day out, or even with a load of groceries would be grueling to the point of implausibility for most people.

    • @thesteelrodent1796
      @thesteelrodent1796 ปีที่แล้ว +121

      this is no different than having elevators in a high rise. Sure we would take the stairs, but once you go past 3-4 flights of stairs you really start to feel it, especially if you're also carrying any kind of weight at all. But in Wellington's case there is no actual road access to many of those houses - a lot of them are only accessible on foot or on bicycle, and that's if you're willing to go up the mountainside. These cable cars allow them to use the space on that mountain, without destroying it to make space for roads

  • @Case16710
    @Case16710 ปีที่แล้ว +807

    The engineering is so clever, especially the way it keeps the car level even when the angle of the rail changes. Would have loved to see more about that.

    • @curtisss
      @curtisss ปีที่แล้ว +33

      The arm attached to the pulling cable seems to be a very clever design, definitely agree I'd love to hear more about it

    • @ritterkeks
      @ritterkeks ปีที่แล้ว +71

      it looks to be purely mechanical at 2:00 - as in the space between the upper and the lower rail gets smaller, resulting in the two arms forcing the car into a different angle than before. so purely a matter of correct rail placement with no additonal mechanical systems being needed imo - clever!

    • @JackieBaisa
      @JackieBaisa ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Same here. Would love to see the engineering behind it.

    • @jbrou123
      @jbrou123 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      I want to see what safety system is in place in case of a cable breakage.

    • @MrVook
      @MrVook ปีที่แล้ว +7

      ​@@jbrou123 Was thinking the same. Did you see the way the cable is rubbing against the rail whilst pulling the entire weight of the cable car? I wonder how often the cable would need replacing

  • @TheHi_King
    @TheHi_King ปีที่แล้ว +1858

    As a New Zealander I feel overwhelmed getting to see our country in so many videos haha. Usually one off references is shocking enough! Love the videos!!

    • @geese5170
      @geese5170 ปีที่แล้ว +55

      New Zealand is a truly unique place. Im American and New Zealand is very fascinating with its landscape and people. Don’t forget to appreciate the beauty of your home!

    • @caydz16
      @caydz16 ปีที่แล้ว +68

      I agree tbh, it'd weird that we actually get put on the map

    • @OrtonLongGaming
      @OrtonLongGaming ปีที่แล้ว +7

      THIS

    • @BrayTube
      @BrayTube ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Lean into it but stay humble and just make sure you keep your feet in your gumboots! Greets from Ireland! ;¬)

    • @zhurgz
      @zhurgz ปีที่แล้ว +36

      This ^^ im a wellingtonian so its very strange to see tom scott walking around our city

  • @Lizlodude
    @Lizlodude ปีที่แล้ว +162

    1:59 I just want to take a second to appreciate that leveling system that mechanically keeps the car flat by (from the look of it) changing the thickness of the track. That's awesome.

    • @YTho-ev1ej
      @YTho-ev1ej ปีที่แล้ว +4

      It’s always the simple stuff that seems so smart

  • @matthewb3113
    @matthewb3113 ปีที่แล้ว +430

    A friend's parent (who is a engineer) built a smaller cable car to move groceries from the road to his summer house in Finland. It made it much easier to go down and up the stairs without having to carry heavy bags.

    • @MonkeyJedi99
      @MonkeyJedi99 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      Two days ago I seriously contemplated getting a light block and tackle to hoist groceries up to my apartment, as I am hitting mobility limits lately.
      Currently, a common four-bag shopping trip is two trips up and down the stairs to get them all inside, and as a formerly fit and able person, this bothers me a lot.

    • @DamienAlexander
      @DamienAlexander ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ​@@MonkeyJedi99 get a chairlift? They're about 1500 Euro, not too bad.

    • @MonkeyJedi99
      @MonkeyJedi99 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      @@DamienAlexander I rent, so the installation of a chairlift for the common staircase is kind of a no-go.
      A rope hoist is something I could clamp to the railings of the external/back stairs, making it not a permanent modification of the structure, and thus not a violation of my lease.

    • @thomaswilliams2273
      @thomaswilliams2273 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      ​@@MonkeyJedi99Just beware, all your neighbors will want to borrow it. Good way to meet them though.

    • @Quotenwagnerianer
      @Quotenwagnerianer ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That would probably my own personal main use for them.

  • @rachelcookie321
    @rachelcookie321 ปีที่แล้ว +372

    I went on a school trip to Wellington in 2019 and as we were going around the city I noticed multiple houses with these cable cars. I kinda thought I imagined it because it seemed too cool to be real. I’m glad to get this video to confirm they are in fact real and to learn more about them. I had no idea there was so many! I only saw a handful while I was there.

    • @stickykitty
      @stickykitty ปีที่แล้ว +3

      What? You didn't believe your eyes or something 😂

    • @jimmio3727
      @jimmio3727 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@stickykitty I mean... when 90% of the world is lies now, do you expect any different?

    • @stickykitty
      @stickykitty ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@jimmio3727 you mean you don't trust your eyes enough when you see a cable cart you don't believe it to be real? 🤣 emkay 👏 🙄

  • @barefootkiwi3026
    @barefootkiwi3026 ปีที่แล้ว +117

    I normally work as a tour guide in Wellington (Tom, next time you're here, let me know and I'll find you something interesting), but over Covid, with no tourists, I worked 5 different jobs. One of those was as a courier (for the huge backlog of parcels being ordered). I got to ride a few of those cable cars which, for a Wellingtonian who doesn't know anyone with a private cable car, was a bucket list item. Some of them were surprisingly slow, but there's no other way to the house, so sit back and enjoy the ride.

    • @moaningpheromones
      @moaningpheromones ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I moved furniture to a house with one, it had a canopy so couldn't fit big items in it, still had to use the long path. Two seats one either side. It went across more than down - unusual it went down from the street, in Grafton Rd Roseneath - long time ago, fairly sure Grafton.

  • @maehaps
    @maehaps ปีที่แล้ว +984

    They're so cool but the lady talking about the expense was also a really relatable part ahaha

  • @fionarogge596
    @fionarogge596 ปีที่แล้ว +79

    So cool to see Rose Lu interviewed!! Her book “All who live on Islands” is incredible

    • @chewy99.
      @chewy99. ปีที่แล้ว +11

      You just, know that person? That’s a crazy coincidence. What’s the main point of the book, if you don’t mind me asking?

    • @alterac5627
      @alterac5627 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Well, I would like to think the main point of any book is to be opened and read, but I suppose one could find other uses for a book.

    • @steven_baconbits
      @steven_baconbits ปีที่แล้ว +3

      ​@@alterac5627 i use them to level my furniture.

  • @kemp10
    @kemp10 ปีที่แล้ว +635

    If it's this challenging to access an already built house, I can't imagine what it must've been like for the construction workers building into a undeveloped hillside

    • @JohnSmith-yv6eq
      @JohnSmith-yv6eq ปีที่แล้ว +59

      Probably used a huge construction crane to lift everything (including the workers) up and down???

    • @SamTheEnglishTeacher
      @SamTheEnglishTeacher ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @@JohnSmith-yv6eq and helicopters

    • @RubyDoobieScoo
      @RubyDoobieScoo ปีที่แล้ว +78

      Living in Wellington I can tell you that it's done by helicopter.

    • @TheCamwa
      @TheCamwa ปีที่แล้ว +48

      You 100% get it, I had to install double glazed windows in many of these places...biggest pain in the butt ever.

    • @SamAronow
      @SamAronow ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@patrickmcdonough1893 They've got a 9-ton, a 14-ton, and Maurice Micklewhite.

  • @DuncanJimmy
    @DuncanJimmy ปีที่แล้ว +115

    As a long-time Wellingtonian, I grew up going to and from school via the Cable Car every day and have always loved the inclinators you see around the city. Their extraordinary expense is due to the customization required for each one. Most people don't have the budget for these conveniences, so people have to just get fit walking the hills and steps required.

    • @moaningpheromones
      @moaningpheromones ปีที่แล้ว

      It was only the rich who would build somewhere that needed one. The rest of Wellington doesn't have hundreds of steps per property, does it? I lived in Wellington and had six steps, most have less than fifty and not many have more than eighty. I've never heard the word inclinator until this video and from decades in Wellington only ever heard them called cable cars. Most people drive mate - or bus / train. Even if a house has 60 steps it's one minute of walking - not a huge effort. Minority of people actually walk anywhere and walk up hills.

    • @DuncanJimmy
      @DuncanJimmy ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@moaningpheromones I lived in Kelburn near the top of the Cable Car, so it was a no-brainer to use it for direct access to Lambton Quay and then take a bus the rest of the way. As Scott says, the only reason you'd get an inclinator is for the disabled or to reach otherwise inaccessible property.

  • @charlyzzz
    @charlyzzz ปีที่แล้ว +349

    There are also some of these in Deep Cove, North Vancouver, which are used to access the shore from houses

    • @Yozo_official
      @Yozo_official ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Oh cool

    • @OntarioBearHunter
      @OntarioBearHunter ปีที่แล้ว +4

      some cottages here have DIY versions to get gear and sometimes people down steep embankment to the boats.

    • @Jo-tv6sj
      @Jo-tv6sj ปีที่แล้ว

      that's dope! love Deep Cove but need to visit more often. really wish they had a public one in New West, the hill right off the Skytrain is ridiculous

  • @cameronjohnson4936
    @cameronjohnson4936 ปีที่แล้ว +221

    I’m an ecologist that lives in Wellington, it’s so nice to see my city represented with so much care and enthusiasm

    • @Rokomarn
      @Rokomarn ปีที่แล้ว +4

      What does being an ecologist have to do with anything?

    • @agnesagni
      @agnesagni ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I was wondering if these cable cars are not adding to the destruction of the environment by allowing people to build in places they could not so far.

    • @attilajuhasz2526
      @attilajuhasz2526 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@agnesagni I'd say less destruction since access roads are not necessary. The "building footprint" is smaller.

    • @cameronjohnson4936
      @cameronjohnson4936 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Rokomarn several of the previous videos about New Zealand and Wellington have covered conservation topics. Perhaps with more optimism than I would have for something as terribly flawed as Predator Free 2050, but it’s nice to see coverage

    • @cameronjohnson4936
      @cameronjohnson4936 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@agnesagni interesting question! These houses are old and there are networks of pathways through the city. Due to the hills this city is quite compact, and accessibility was an afterthought to build-able land.
      We do have a large percentage of green space compared to many other cities due to regenerating areas where houses couldn’t be built. Ecological corridor projects are underway to connect boundaries of the city that are bush to the people and to create a single continuous section of bush that would allow safe migration of animals from the sea to the mountains north of the city

  • @erinwiebe7026
    @erinwiebe7026 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    I live on the flat Canadian prairie where a hill is a novelty in itself. A cable car house on a steep hill in Wellington would be a very different living experience to what I'm used to.

    • @GregM
      @GregM ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Same here. Things we take for granted here on the prairies could be a chore especially if it is raining. Groceries, moving, even getting furniture deliveries etc could be more of a chore.

    • @Skatted
      @Skatted ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@@GregM it's all worth is for the view though

    • @johntheredeemer
      @johntheredeemer ปีที่แล้ว +1

      My condolences 😛

    • @marklittle8805
      @marklittle8805 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I am guessing you live in one of those places as the late Pat Burns joked "You can watch your Dog run away for two days"

    • @SurprisinglyDeep
      @SurprisinglyDeep ปีที่แล้ว

      Way easier to bicycle around there then in Wellington I'd bet

  • @dansanger5340
    @dansanger5340 ปีที่แล้ว +81

    These are also common in my area. Maintenance is important. There was a story in the news a few years back where a private cable car broke loose and crashed, killing one of the occupants.

    • @Matthew-ut6ed
      @Matthew-ut6ed ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Wouldn't it be a simple matter to have some kind of inertia mechanism (like car seatbelts) so that if the cable breaks a ratchet or pin flies out and locks the car into the rail. I thought regular building elevators had this.

    • @Sashazur
      @Sashazur ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@Matthew-ut6ed I’m sure they have something like that already, but everything needs regular inspection and maintenance to ensure it works correctly when needed.

    • @chrishandley1574
      @chrishandley1574 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@Matthew-ut6ed The mechanism for these car puts on the brakes when tension is lost on the cable. My property is one of 10 serviced by a similar cable car and we are on the least steep part of the track. We often lose tension when we start to go down the hill and the brakes will stop the cable car and we have to reset and start again. It's only for our stop, and only when we're getting started but it gives me a lot of confidence in the system.

  • @UberSkoobz
    @UberSkoobz ปีที่แล้ว +29

    I’m loving this Tom Scott New Zealand arc. I’m learning so much about my own country. Thank you so much Tom!

  • @angusbodle1054
    @angusbodle1054 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    Tom, your coverage of New Zealand has been phenomenal. I've already learned so much about my own country !

  • @leTRodz
    @leTRodz ปีที่แล้ว +32

    I live in Wellington, and I absolutely love finding new cable cars. I've lived in a few different suburbs, and it feels like every time I'm walking about, I discover a whole new, private cable car (though I always wonder if they'd let me in). What a magical little city!

    • @moaningpheromones
      @moaningpheromones ปีที่แล้ว

      Go out to Wainui or Porirua and tell us about the magic. You mean the rich areas.

    • @It-is-me...Melsie
      @It-is-me...Melsie ปีที่แล้ว

      @@moaningpheromones What's wrong with being rich.

  • @TheTrainspotterFromTauranga
    @TheTrainspotterFromTauranga ปีที่แล้ว +60

    Despite its branding, the Wellington Cable Car is actually a funicular because the cars are permanently attached to the cable. In a traditional cable car system, like what Dunedin lost but San Francisco retains, a person had to stand in the car and move big levers to clamp onto the cable.

    • @nevillesevicke-jones1227
      @nevillesevicke-jones1227 ปีที่แล้ว

      Dunedin had two cable car systems... One I travelled on as a baby... the Rattray St--Ross St--Kaikorai Valley one... and the High St one which I used in its last year...1957.... the single line was every bit as good as the ones in San F running down to the Piers.
      Imagine that now as a tourist drawcard.......

    • @hamish2979
      @hamish2979 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      these are all funiculars

  • @pdoge
    @pdoge ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Hah I immediately recognized it! When I was an exchange student in New Zealand my homestay family had a cable car that was going roughly 600m downtown and would save you a 20 minute car ride. It was a shared wind with roughly 10 other houses and they would need to coordinate as a ride downtown and back up would take a good 10 minutes

  • @finndenton6292
    @finndenton6292 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Tom you should absolutely do a meet and greet while you're in wellington I know at least 3 people that would scream if they got to meet you (myself included)
    I've got a cable car that runs up to my house (exact same model as Rose's) and it is the handiest thing I've ever had at a flat, I use it practically every day and it beats the hell outta the long staircase we've got otherwise

  • @BTobiasJ
    @BTobiasJ ปีที่แล้ว +13

    As a Wellingtonian, it is my turn to be surprised by Tom Scott making a video about what I have always seen as a mundane everyday thing.

  • @reutermo
    @reutermo ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Best part of these New Zealand videos is the accents. They are very charming.

  • @gocubs1026
    @gocubs1026 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    Wow how is it that you always find the perfect expert on each topic

    • @Yozo_official
      @Yozo_official ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I agree, its amazing

    • @thegees
      @thegees ปีที่แล้ว +8

      the guy that builds and is independently certified to inspect them is usually the expert

    • @myladycasagrande863
      @myladycasagrande863 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The joys of having a good research team!

    • @rachelcookie321
      @rachelcookie321 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It’s likely the expert who reached out to him and asked if he was interested in doing a video on it. Tom mentions in a lot of videos that he was asked to go there by wherever he is doing a video on. I’m sure lots of people are constantly emailing him asking if he’s interested in doing a video on something because they get free advertising if Tom decides to do a video.

  • @hux2000
    @hux2000 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Tom did such a great job finding the right people to talk about this. The homeowner's enthusiasm is infectious and it's always great to hear someone talk eloquently about a job they so clearly love. Great video!

  • @waza987
    @waza987 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    There is a lot of these in Sydney Australia as well. Most of the ones I have seen are towards the top of the Northern beaches peninsula and many are not to access the house but to get down the step hills at the back to access the boat house of the property. And yes if you can afford any of those houses the price of the inclinator is not going to bother you it will be insignificant compared to the price of your boat let alone the house.

  • @EnderEclipz
    @EnderEclipz ปีที่แล้ว +22

    I thank you for making these New Zealand videos. They have really opened my eyes to things that I didn't even know about in the country that I live in!

  • @Colopty
    @Colopty ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Very nice solution that both opens up new property solutions in difficult landscape while providing improved accessibility. Though the homeowner's talk about having an additional expense is relatable.

  • @matthewharris-levesque5809
    @matthewharris-levesque5809 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    I always love it when people love their job.

  • @DanielPierce
    @DanielPierce ปีที่แล้ว +16

    We have these in certain areas of the states , lots of lakefront properties around the US with steep hills leading down to a boathouse have these.

  • @rayoflight62
    @rayoflight62 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    Local problems, local solutions. Very nice indeed. The price is not eye-watering, but not insignificant either.
    Thanks Mr. Scott for these unique pearls from the other side of the world...

    • @chopun3862
      @chopun3862 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      $200000 isn't eye watering?😮

    • @itsmefalconOo
      @itsmefalconOo ปีที่แล้ว +3

      ​@@chopun3862 You can probably buy land that would otherwise cost a lost more than 200k NZD and then add a cable car to it for a net saving.

  • @Pattoe
    @Pattoe ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Cool to see Rose Lu here. I imagine Tom and Rose could talk for days and days about things they find interesting, with Rose being an Author, Engineer and Software developer, and Tom Scott's love of linguistics, mechanics and code.

  • @UR_HR
    @UR_HR ปีที่แล้ว +44

    A friend of mine stayed at a secluded costal property somewhere in NZ (afraid I cannot remember where) which had an antiquated version of these that provided access to the the local beach. From the way it was described to me it definitely did not have a warrant of fitness, and was compared to something out of Indiana Jones!

    • @JohnSmith-yv6eq
      @JohnSmith-yv6eq ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Out of regulatory oversight (no inspectors..never been official....on private property..used by family and friends......Kiwi No.8 wirebuild quality
      See Denniston Incline history for some spectacular "cable cars".....

  • @thesteelrodent1796
    @thesteelrodent1796 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    the next step is to make the cable car part of the house - say you step in through a perfectly normal looking front door at the street into what appears to be a regular entryway, but really the entryway is the cable car and it moves up to the house and becomes part of the structure, so you can you step out of it into the living room or whichever, just like you would any other house

    • @SeanBZA
      @SeanBZA ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Also available, and just costs a lot more as you enclose it. Tom could do the same here by me in South Africa, where the Cape province ultra rich live. Areas like Bantry bay and Llandudno, where there are plenty of properties where you absolutely need to have a cable car to access them, or the number where all you have at street level is a set of garages, and a lift to the premises

    • @galliman123
      @galliman123 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      The true next step is to make the cable car a house and the whole house moves up and down

    • @marvindebot3264
      @marvindebot3264 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@SeanBZA I've seen a couple of those with cable cars you can drive a car into because the 5 or 6-car garage is a part of the house up the cliff.

    • @handymannyalex
      @handymannyalex ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I manufacture these, and yes, we have many that terminate at the house, exactly as you describe

    • @klhaldane
      @klhaldane ปีที่แล้ว

      @@galliman123 Yes! Down to the street for convenience, then up for the view.

  • @gregfredericks5201
    @gregfredericks5201 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Was just there last month and saw for myself these unique transports.

  • @misplaced7858
    @misplaced7858 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Well that was certainly uplifting.

  • @amelia-heart
    @amelia-heart ปีที่แล้ว +2

    i live super close to the wellington cable car and the knowledge that tom scott himself was RIGHT THERE is tripping me out right now

  • @Cgeta4
    @Cgeta4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Reminds me to switzerland with its countless cogwheel railways, going up the mountains to various villages and towns there

  • @Stratelier
    @Stratelier ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I grew up in a house on a hillside (sloped maybe 30deg) and there was no roadside access to the house. Sure, the two-car garage at the "back" (uphill end) of the property was roadside, but to get to the actual house we walked down a gentle driveway shared with two neighbors, then down a steep walkway to the door. We also had a second walkway (mostly stairs) leading to the road on the downhill side, which we used mostly for the schoolbus stop at the bottom.

    • @belindathompson267
      @belindathompson267 ปีที่แล้ว

      Interesting…how did you get mail delivered? Wellington seems like a fun place to be a postie

    • @Stratelier
      @Stratelier ปีที่แล้ว

      @@belindathompson267 Mailbox was by the garage.

  • @vickymc9695
    @vickymc9695 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Wow as a wheelchair user in rural Wales I'm really flipping jealous.

  • @blaster-zy7xx
    @blaster-zy7xx ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Oh cool! We are on Florida and heading to Mew Zealand tomorrow! Thanks for giving us something to look for.

  • @luckdragon836
    @luckdragon836 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    Having a cable car ride to my doorstep would be so fun, no need to carry in groceries

  • @MikesTropicalTech
    @MikesTropicalTech ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I visited Wellington and the highlight was the WETA workshop tour, but I didn't know these existed!

  • @annag6400
    @annag6400 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    As a Wellingtonian it's fantastic to see our city cast so into the spotlight recently. It's great you're having a good explore around and learning tons of stuff about us

  • @pwilkinson18
    @pwilkinson18 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    These are common around the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland USA. They allow access to the boat docks on the water.

    • @slook7094
      @slook7094 ปีที่แล้ว

      I've been there and never seen any of them. Where are they?

  • @wordzmyth
    @wordzmyth ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I knew it was Wellington:)
    Also our median house price went to $1 million here. It's a nightmare.

  • @MazeFrame
    @MazeFrame ปีที่แล้ว +87

    I know this is not the intent, but this is an absolutely spectacular recruitment ad!

    • @Colopty
      @Colopty ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Probably not the main intention though I suspect it was considered a potential side perk.

    • @nesnalica
      @nesnalica ปีที่แล้ว +2

      yesnt. it did increase awareness but you still need to be certified to do maintanence or build things like this.

    • @JohnSmith-yv6eq
      @JohnSmith-yv6eq ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Also sales ad for the business..."time to pass on the torch".....

  • @ShadowFC_20
    @ShadowFC_20 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I live in Auckland, New Zealand so I've been to wellington a few times. I love going there and the cable cars there are such a fantastic experience!!!

  • @matthewb9955
    @matthewb9955 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Tom Scott is an entertainment genius. He has never uploaded a video that wasn’t great. Thanks Tom!

  • @leejohnson3209
    @leejohnson3209 ปีที่แล้ว +66

    Imagine being a delivery driver in that city.

    • @Zestric
      @Zestric ปีที่แล้ว +51

      I'd imagine "Put [item] in cable car" is a frequent delivery request.

    • @rachelcookie321
      @rachelcookie321 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      I imagine the people would just come down to get it. Like in apartments the person usually comes down to the building entrance instead of having the delivery driver come all the way up.

    • @Kausan1
      @Kausan1 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      My son was, in this area. Complete pain in the arse. Time wasting and also poor signage. He moved on as quick as he could

    • @nfwolf20
      @nfwolf20 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      I was a delivery driver in Wellington, we often take the cable car up to customer’s house, unless they instructed us to wait down there

    • @ahorrell
      @ahorrell ปีที่แล้ว +14

      I live here and let me tell you - ease of access is a huuuuuuge factor for deliveries and tradespeople. Imagine needing to install a shower or build a balcony... and that is your access! It happens all the time. Tradies often have to haul huge loads up lots of stairs in Wellington... yet another reason why the city is very expensive

  • @theend1555
    @theend1555 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    They have similar systems here in Beverly Shores, IN. Many of the houses on the lake shore are on very steep hills

    • @TheNapalmFTW
      @TheNapalmFTW ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I live up here and I've never heard of them. That's awesome thanks.

    • @NWIndianaElevators
      @NWIndianaElevators ปีที่แล้ว

      Lake Freeman (south of Monticello, IN) has a bunch of these for the houses that are on the top of the hill.

  • @jhaas68865
    @jhaas68865 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    As someone with bad knees I think this is amazing. Some people get stair lifts or home elevators but this can open up your whole land area.

  • @thisiscait
    @thisiscait ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My best friend in Sydney had an inclinator, it was awesome. You felt all tucked away from everything.

  • @TheAcorner1987
    @TheAcorner1987 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    I do like the mindset of the older gentleman, you can see he cares about his business enough to by proxy care for his customers

    • @JohnSmith-yv6eq
      @JohnSmith-yv6eq ปีที่แล้ว +3

      He has care and also responsibility....
      he is responsible for their build safety...and the inspection team certifying them as fit for purpose as well....

  • @ingramdw1
    @ingramdw1 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I recently helped my daughter move out of a Wellington house with a cable car. Unfortunately it was out of service on moving day, so we just put moving blankets on the rail, placed the furniture on top and guided it down - easy! It wouldn't have been much fun going the other way though.

  • @nitrites
    @nitrites ปีที่แล้ว +3

    In my home town, this is a very common occurrence on lake houses, many of the lake houses cant walk down the steep slopes to get to the lake and some istall these. Always fun to spot them!

  • @wyattarich
    @wyattarich ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I swear I watched this already and the deva vu is UNREAL

  • @NamaTiti
    @NamaTiti ปีที่แล้ว +4

    You know what I love about the Kiwis, they can be one of the most proficient in their profession and yet they remain so humble.

  • @geraldmerkowitz4360
    @geraldmerkowitz4360 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    It's like an elevator, but outside. Now that I see it I'm suprised it doesn't exist in many more places

  • @everwhatever
    @everwhatever ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I've seen something similar in Haifa, which is built on Mount Carmel. I spotted some private houses along a particularly steep hill that had similar looking systems for getting to the main road. And there are 2 systems of cable cars in the city, one crappy one and one new, that everyone is in awe of but I haven't heard that many people using as everyday transportation. Architecture on hills is so interesting, in Haifa there are tons of houses that are built into the incline and have several entrances on different floors on different sides.

  • @TimoZNL
    @TimoZNL ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this format. Short, informative videos showing interesting areas and objects.

  • @qtluna7917
    @qtluna7917 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    They become more and more common in wealthy, slightly hilly areas in Germany.
    I know of roughly a dozen in Heidelberg. Some of them are only for freights for now, but since more and more high tech homes spring up in the rich neighbourhoods, I assume that amount will increase.

  • @boltonky
    @boltonky ปีที่แล้ว +3

    As a laborer in my younger years most of the houses that had cable cars were a nightmare to work on in most cases and there used to be a few in wellington that the only access was via cable car as the paths had fallen away or been overtaken fun times :)

  • @shept.7736
    @shept.7736 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This reminds me of Maryland, a lot of the houses had cable cars to bring them down the steep inclines and onto their docks for their boats. Always fascinated me as a child

  • @m14mclaren
    @m14mclaren ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice to see a video of my home town pop up in my subscriptions this morning as I commute to the city.

  • @iamsandrewsmith
    @iamsandrewsmith ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Pittsburgh (where I live) currently has two "inclines", as they are called here. A hundred years ago, though, there were more than a dozen. Like most of the public transport network at the time, they were (poorly) run by private companies, hence most of them have disappeared. The system that you show here is fascinating, since there are some very hilly neighborhoods here in the Burgh!

  • @RobCCTV
    @RobCCTV ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Yet again Tom has found a fascinating and unexpected topic to do a 4-minute ditty on. Great stuff.

  • @EyalBrown
    @EyalBrown ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It's always lovely when Tom finds enthusiastic and genuinely happy people to include in the video

  • @AdiabetiKkidRex
    @AdiabetiKkidRex ปีที่แล้ว

    Tom, thank you for what you do! I really appreciate it!

  • @Huntracony
    @Huntracony ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Do these count as monorails?

    • @burgerpommes2001
      @burgerpommes2001 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      They count as lifts/elevators

    • @JohnADoe-pg1qk
      @JohnADoe-pg1qk ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @1:18 This one is definitely not a monorail.

    • @jamesfilms_
      @jamesfilms_ ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I'd always figured a requirement of monorails (and trains) is being able to propel themselves along the rail(s), not being pulled as seen here.
      But if we define a monorail as something that simply runs along a single track, then yes!

    • @martijn9568
      @martijn9568 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jamesfilms_ How about a cable car powered monorail?

    • @jamesfilms_
      @jamesfilms_ ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@martijn9568 my head hurts

  • @JVlapleSlain
    @JVlapleSlain ปีที่แล้ว +52

    Cable Cars falling off their lines is an interesting concept

  • @offrails
    @offrails ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Never got to ride one (besides the Wellington "Cable Car") , but as a Kiwi kid growing up outside of Wellington, I do recalling seeing a couple of these in the 1980s out near the airport. My cousin did live closer to the city though and had a house that was on the hillside and required climbing a bunch of steps to get to - I loved sitting at their front window and watching the Picton ferry come and go

  • @logeymusic
    @logeymusic ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As a New Zealander, this little trip around the country is great! Thanks for coming by Tom :D

  • @Kairi-ou
    @Kairi-ou ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Huh! I went to NZ for a holiday once, and I had always wondered just how fit you had to be to be a local there! It’s so steep! I see now, they’ve found some work arounds to the problem haha.

  • @Heffolo
    @Heffolo ปีที่แล้ว +12

    So weird seeing all these stories based in Wellington. I always enjoyed your videos on strange or notable places, and I see how Wellington fits the bill, but it still does feel odd to see you talking about my home town.
    The hills are crazy here though; the trail up to some houses makes it look like you’re walking into the bush. If you haven’t already, you should check out Zealandia; there’s some interesting history there and it ties in with the predator-NZ project. Hope you’re enjoying your visit!

    • @Infinite_Maelstrom
      @Infinite_Maelstrom ปีที่แล้ว

      Is Tom planning to / did he visit anywhere else here on this trip? I'd enjoy seeing videos about smaller, more kiwi places. Like Bunnythorpe, home town of GlaxoSmithKline, now a suburb of Palmy. Or Arapuni - my personal fav town. I haven't been to the South island enough to recommend any good spots though.

  • @BunkerFox
    @BunkerFox ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Tom Scott just can't get enough of monorails

  • @hughmcaloon6506
    @hughmcaloon6506 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    How you manage to find so many cool things to report on... glad that you do! Keep it up!

  • @Foremarkex
    @Foremarkex ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The Monorail Saga Continues.

  • @nicholash.7656
    @nicholash.7656 ปีที่แล้ว +64

    Makes sense for some additional New Zealand videos while you all are there! Everyone knows Rats can't use Cable Cars.

    • @Foremarkex
      @Foremarkex ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Careful... don't give them ideas.

    • @devoarco5084
      @devoarco5084 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@@Foremarkex at this point I wouldn't be suprised if the rats take over the world with their newly developed cablecar-technology in 2024

  • @zestoslife
    @zestoslife ปีที่แล้ว

    Booked an airbnb last year for a family holiday in wellington and we were all very excited that it came with one of these. Except wasn't as smooth or as new looking. Lots of clunking, bumping and lurching but lots of fun and safe (I think).

  • @UncleSkiBum
    @UncleSkiBum ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My brother had one of these for his place in Wadestown in Wellington and it was so cool, but not great on moving day! There were about 3 or 4 properties that shared it.

  • @marna_li
    @marna_li ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Tom, I love these videos that you make because I get to learn something new and cool about the world.
    As someone from boring northern Europe, private cable cars being a thing in New Zealand fascinates me.

  • @bengoacher4455
    @bengoacher4455 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    This is a fantastic way to open up land that would otherwise be undevelopable (and highly desirable) on steep hills that have great vistas. I can imagine this would be execent for luxury hotels that offer panoramic views from every suite by building it stepped up a steep slope and you access your room via cable car.
    The only place I can consider this being cost effective in the UK is maybe Bath or bits of Cornwall and Devon for luxury holiday homes. But certainly in Ski Resorts and other high land value but very steep gradient locations this is a very interesting development.
    Whats a $100k cable car if it means the worthless land at the back of your house can be developed into a multi million dollar property.

    • @Hoaxe72
      @Hoaxe72 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      If it looks like a desirable vista don’t develop that land

    • @shanekeenaNYC
      @shanekeenaNYC ปีที่แล้ว

      It would also be great in segments of the Santa Monica mountains overlooking areas of Los Angeles. I mean, there are tons of acres of valuable land available that could easily be unlocked by something as compact as a cable car. The wealthy landowners can maintain their pristine driveways, tennis courts, infinity edge pools, and 20-car garages, and they could get a decent rental income from unlocking valuable acreage even farther up the hills.

    • @kofer99
      @kofer99 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Hoaxe72 The hill isn´t the vista ...

    • @marcinmrzyglocki
      @marcinmrzyglocki ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@shanekeenaNYC with great views of these driveways and pools?

    • @slothonastick32
      @slothonastick32 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Marcin Mrzygłocki a great view of an amazing ocean, loads of nature and a city beautifully tucked in!
      -A Wellington resident

  • @tims_builds
    @tims_builds ปีที่แล้ว

    Montreat NC has a handful of these things, similar situation, town built in a steep valley with limited road access to many houses. They've always fascinated me

  • @Jroobelucios
    @Jroobelucios ปีที่แล้ว

    Holy crap, the nostalgia. Been there like three times, all of those times being when I was younger. Good memories in Welly. I live down in Dunners.

  • @NigelMarston
    @NigelMarston ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I think we call these funicular railways in the UK, unless I'm confusing them with something else.
    I'd be interested to learn about the brake/fall-arrest mech. I imagine it's something to do with the way the cable pulls on the hitch, and it levers downward if the cable loses tension. Can totally understand why there's a requirement for an annual maintenance inspection.

  • @Treksh
    @Treksh ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thats a insane cost for something like that.

  • @Stormandfire
    @Stormandfire ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Live in Wellington, have been up and down a couple of these, but I'm actually more pleased to learn what that business does, as I've passed by it countless times.

  • @DarrylTalks
    @DarrylTalks ปีที่แล้ว

    I have ridden in some Wellington cable cars, there was one I rode in 25 years ago, with a curved track that weaves around trees and obstacles as it climbs to the house, we went to a party at the house.

  • @MaxScheibenpflug
    @MaxScheibenpflug ปีที่แล้ว +20

    That's one inspired and inspiring business owner. 👍

  • @imoutodaisuki
    @imoutodaisuki ปีที่แล้ว +32

    But… is this counted as a monorail though?

    • @ClarinoI
      @ClarinoI ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Not really. While it only has one rail, it isn't self propelling.

    • @definedphotography
      @definedphotography ปีที่แล้ว +2

      "I've sold monorails to Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook, and, by gum, it put them on the map!"

    • @Balthorium
      @Balthorium ปีที่แล้ว

      I’ve heard real estate agents call them Hill-evators.

    • @bigutubefan2738
      @bigutubefan2738 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Monorail! Monorail! Monorail!

  • @quirkedupshawty
    @quirkedupshawty ปีที่แล้ว

    I’m loving all these Wellington videos!! He’s in my hometown right now!!

  • @Marenthyu
    @Marenthyu ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "Something that helps people"
    I live by that motto, too, and i love it!

  • @joebleasdale5557
    @joebleasdale5557 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    “I need a cable car just to access my deck” must be a humble brag in New Zealand 😂

    • @moaningpheromones
      @moaningpheromones ปีที่แล้ว

      hardly anyone has one and only the super rich.