In the German city of Wuppertal exists the unusual form of urban transport, a hanging railway with the length of 13.3 km (Schwebebahn). Most of the way it passes over the river at a height of 12 meters, and 3 km is above the city streets.
The monorail railway was opened in 1901 and currently is a kind of public transport that carries 25 million passengers every year.
Such complex structure cannot operate without accidents. The largest one occurred in 1999, when a train fell into the river (photo). Five people were killed and 47 were injured. The cause was a metal clip left on the road after repairs. The same tragedy happened to the experimental German magnetic levitation train Transrapid in 2006. That time a maintenance car was also "forgotten" on the track.
Schwebebahn in Wuppertal ©Yuriy Buriak
Schwebebahn in Wuppertal ©Yuriy Buriak
And in 1950, there was the most unusual event that you can ever imagine. Director of the local circus decided to make a promotional ride on Schwebebahn with an elephant named Tuffi. The elephant didn't like this idea, broke the wall and jumped out of the train car! Fortunately, the car was over the river and Tuffi wasn't injured. Director of the circus and those who allowed elephant on the train were fined.
Tuffi, The Jumping Elephant ©Yuriy Buriak
Some videos:
Getting there: Schwebebahn passes throughout the city of Wuppertal, there is a station next to the central railway station.
