The Hanging Train

I feel like Sheldon Cooper while writing this blog, a total nerd who is crazy about trains like a five year old, but I had to talk about the " Hanging Train".

  I am not kidding! In Germany, the Wuppertal Suspension Railway is the oldest electric elevated railway with hanging cars in the world and is such a unique system.It leaves me in awe of it.

The crazy thing is it's not some new modern technology. It was designed in between 1897 and 1903 and the first track was opened in 1901.

Given its long history,it might come as a surprise to learn that there only have been a few accidents involving Schwebebahn and no fatal ones untill 1999 when Coach no. 4 derailed because of parts left on the track after repair work.

One bizarre accident deserves special mention. In 1950, the local circus decided to let Tuffi, one of its young elephants ride on the monorail for promotional purposes. Tuffi soon lost cool upon hearing the strange train noises and being suspended above the town. He broke though the sidewall of the compartment and landed in the river, unscathed. A clever local diary Company, cashed in on the publicity and quickly copyrighted the elephants name and is still in the market by the name of ' Tuffi-Campia'.

The train itself is a living proof of the persistence and conservation spirit in the people for their history and architecture.It is a really old train but well preserved and in great condition.

It's a wonderful memorable experience in itself. Floating up, in the sky above the town. It's a unique sight seeing experience while enjoying an amazing train ride. What more can one wish for? It's a surreal experience.