Thyssen hydraulic glass elevator at Herderplatz subway station in Stuttgart

Like at Weinsteige station (   • Unknown hydraulic glass elevator at Weinst...  ), there is just a single elevator for two side platforms at Herderplatz station, too. Both stations are also located in hilly terrain. But whereas the platforms at Weinsteige station run parallel to a hillside, those at Herderplatz station run perpendicular to an embankment and end in a tunnel underneath a railway line to Singen via Böblingen and Rottweil. The railway section within Stuttgart is called the Panoramabahn (panoramic railway) due to its views of the city. Incidentally, the line from Weinsteige station towards the city center also offers some nice views. While at Weinsteige station, the elevator setup is caused by terrain and it does not look like a second elevator was ever planned, such is not the case at Herderplatz station. Opposite the existing elevator, there is a concrete shaft, but that elevator is missing, strongly indicating that the station was originally supposed to have two elevators. Both platforms can also be reached by ramps, so that even the platform without elevator has some step-free access. The concrete shaft for the existing elevator is extended at the top by a steel frame and glass structure. Meanwhile, the other concrete shaft is simply topped by a concrete slab. If the phantom elevator were ever to be built, it would likely be a traction model in contrast to the existing hydraulic elevator. The latter uses a single-stage system with a non-telescoping hydraulic piston, and it starts to open its doors quite a while before stopping at one of its two landings. Interestingly, the shaft doors do not match the cab doors when it comes to the height of their bottom metal frames, although the elevator may have originally been built like that. Technical specifications: Brand: Thyssen Capacity: 630kg / ~1390lbs / 8 people Type: hydraulic (single-stage) Year built: 1994 Travel distance: 2 stops