Secret Life of Lifts series,Part 2/3: Express Lifts Tower

From "the secret life of" series by Tim Hunkin.
Excellent series from the late 80s/early 90s, this one is about lifts.

Part 2 shows the motor room inside the Express Lifts testing tower in Northampton. I've searched for photos on the net, but not found many from inside the tower. The tower was closed in 1997 when Express was bought by Otis.

Also, check out the Express Lifts simulation rig that was used to work out best ways for the lifts to respond to multiple calls - this was the transition from relays to microprocessors!

Tim Hunkin also has a website that is easily found by the search engine of your choice!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• express
• lifts
• lift
• northampton
• tower
• documentary
• elevator
• motor
• room
• machine
• winda
• Aufzug
• national

[express777100]

express made the best lifts in 60s and 70s, check out post office tower.

[mrmattandmrchay]

@express777100 Yes, those were Express as well. I did a search on YT but didn't find a vid.

[thyssenelevator95]

I love this series. Tim Hunkin also has his own YouTube channel-thinkins.

[mrmattandmrchay]

I'll have to check that out. A nice guy as well - would love to have him as my uncle!

[ascensoribrianza]

Good series!!

I insert this videos in elevator forum.

[mrmattandmrchay]

cool!

[Anjasomc]

Why did someone dislike this?

[Anjasomc]

I like how he was demonstrating the Otis safety system on a Kone lift!

[express777100]

there are no vids of the lifts in p.o. tower, after bombing in 1970, no public allowed in.

[express777100]

mrmattandmrchay, i used to work for express, and they installed a duplex in 1964, the top speed was 1000 ft per min but were governed down, that was fast for 60s.

[MrUNIXman]

cool video, good to see a testing tower

[mrmattandmrchay]

This is a geared machine, the motor turns many many more times than the sheave that the ropes are attached to - so when you are turning the motor it is vastly geared down. Also, he is winding the lift in the upwards direction. This is easier as the counter weighs the same as the lift car plus about 40% load, which means if you were to remove the brake it would travel upwards naturally (with noone in it)