Spiral Escalator

The first and last spiral staircase in England.

Location: Holloway Road, Islington

Description: Holloway Road tube station on the Piccadilly line is very compact, it was built with two lift shafts, one of which continues to be used today.

The second lift shaft however was an experimental spiral escalator, built by the Reno Company of America. It originally went around the inner lift shaft and two separate spirals were employed - one up and one down. It was a massive failure and take up was poor.

There are pieces of it remaining within the London's Transport Museum. Now there is a steel staircase in it's place, which seems to be much less fun!

Tours: Top 10 London Underground Sights

Themes: Quirky Quirky Theme