The ONE & ONLY Otis CompassPlus Traction Elevators at The Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh, PA
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- Filmed on October 23rd, 2023.
These elevators as well as the building they're in don't need any explanation! If you guys have watched elevator videos for a while, you almost certainly recognize these elevators! Originally installed in the 1930s and later modernized by Westinghouse into Selectomatic with VERY RARE VR Fixtures in the Early 70s, these elevators were then modernized in 2015-2016 by Otis CompassPlus. These elevators are without a DOUBT Pittsburgh's most FAMOUS Elevators and while it all started with @DieselDucy 's video of the Westinghouse Elevators in 2010, these elevators became EVEN MORE popular once Otis came in and modernized these. Now sure, Compass may be everywhere nowadays, but at the time these elevators were modernized, these were among one of the VERY FIRST CompassPlus systems EVER installed, complete with the New chimes that have been used ever since that have carried over to Compass 360 and so on making this installation/modernization a very significant one. These elevators were also pretty much a total replacement of the Old Westinghouse Elevators, which while the Original Elevators will and have been very well missed by many, the Modernization was desperately needed from a reliability & efficiency standpoint, and Otis without a doubt knocked it out of the park with the mod. 8 years since the Modernization took place, these elevators seem to be holding up pretty well! They are a bit slow for 36 floors, but overall I thought these elevators were pretty nice and not bad at all and not as boring as I thought they'd be. Of course, much of that probably has to do with how famous these are and me being blinded by that, and I did notice a couple things about these elevators that i hadn't previously noticed on video..... The doors and cabs for them are WAY bigger and wider than I expected them to be.... But not only are the elevators nice, the ARCHITECTURE of this building is GORGEOUS too and I had a lot of fun exploring this place! Outside and inside, this building is absolutely breathtaking in so many ways, no other way to describe it. The architects being this building really put their all into it when the building was built, and it's definitely a place worth exploring when in the Pittsburgh area for sure! (Even if the elevator mod isn't your favorite)
Now, in regards to the elevator mod, needed as it may have been, I do wish I got to see these things original and I definitely wish they still were even if they weren't in the greatest condition....but for those of you who are upset about not having gotten to see these Original, DON'T WORRY! There is still ANOTHER set of Original Westies with the EXACT same fixtures these used to have in Pittsburgh that still exist to this day! I'll let you guys stay tuned for my video of those elevators, but for now, enjoy some rides on Pittsburgh's Most FAMOUS & ICONIC Elevators in one of Pittsburgh's most ICONIC buildings complete with views from up top!
Installed in 1937. (Manually Controlled Westinghouse)
Modernized:
1st Modernization: 1971 (Westinghouse Selectomatic Mark IV with Type A/AE VR Fixtures, New Cabs, New Doors, New Lanterns & New Controllers. Motors left as is)
2nd Modernization: 2015-2016 (Otis CompassPlus Elevonic R mod with New Motors, New Controllers, New Cabs, New Lanterns, New Doors on some floors, etc. Only the outer doors on certain floors left original, basically a total replacement)
Speed: 600 FPM
Camera details:
Sony Handycam AX-43
Mic: Built In
(c) 2024 Floridian Elevators Productions
Cool!
Perhaps the most FAMOUS elevators in Pittsburgh since the closure of the former Kaufmann's/Macy's store downtown.
“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.
Ah the famous Otis Compass in Pittsburgh! Definitely need to check this place out!
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!)
The o car elevator used to have a Epco SSL call button but it’s gone now
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).
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.
Idk how old the actual building is. It reminds me of Hogwarts.
I believe it was built in the 1920’s