You can ride on wooden escalators in New York that are greater than 100 years old which are still in operation to this day; but you can also find wooden escalators in Sydney, which are considered to be an Escalation Sensation.
Wooden Escalators in Sydney: An Escalation Sensation
The wooden escalators in Sydney that are currently located in Wynyard Station were unfortunately officially retired in 2017 due to safety concerns and accessibility improvements; so if you have been hoping to ride on them, you are out of luck…
…but they have been repurposed in an usual way: as a work of art, hanging from the ceiling at Wynyard Station.
Near Exit 3 of Wynyard Station — which is the exit to York Street — 244 wooden treads and four Otis comb plates of historic wooden escalators that once operated at this station are now part of a sculpture called Interloop by Chris Fox.
“Wynyard Station was opened on 28 February 1932 as part of Bradfield’s transport vision, and in preparation for the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening in March 1932”, according to this article from the official Internet web site of Transport for New South Wales, which contains a plethora of information and details about the history of the wooden escalators which once served Sydney — including photographs, a booklet, and a documentary. “New innovative station features at Wynyard included a parallel bank of ‘Otis’ escalators connecting York Street with the concourse. Originally three escalators were installed with provision for a fourth if it was needed in the future.”
Final Boarding Call
The funny thing is that I had no idea that this sculpture existed until I arrived at Wynyard Station to use Transport Sydney Metro. I first noticed Interloop when I looked up as I was descending on one of the currency operating escalators near the York Street exit — and I thought it was quite cool.
No admission is required to view Interloop. The exhibit is open whenever Wynyard Station is open, which is served by the T1, T2, T3, T8, and T9 Metro lines — as well as by as many as ten bus lines.
All photographs ©2024 by Brian Cohen.
