What am I???

[pasobuff]

Can you tell me what I am (and where it is found?) - forgot - what am I made of???

[CaptOldTimer]

Can you tell me what I am (and where it is found?)

Looking at this photo, it appears to be escalator steps.

[CaptOldTimer]

What do I win????

[pasobuff]

What do I win????

Here you go.....

[MarcusKspn]

Are those some old school wooden escalator steps? Macy's I think?

[CaptOldTimer]

Here you go.....

Does that have Hazlenut creamer in it?? Got to have it.

[pasobuff]

Are those some old school wooden escalator steps? Macy's I think?

And one for you!

[jeeves1]

hmm.Wooden escaltor steps.Anyone head of the Kings Cross Fire in London in the 80's?? You would think we could learn from that one.Smoking allowed or not.

[MarcusKspn]

hmm.Wooden escaltor steps.Anyone head of the Kings Cross Fire in London in the 80's?? You would think we could learn from that one.Smoking allowed or not.

I think they are the only wooden escalator steps left in the US.

From what I recall a big part of the problem that started the Kings Cross Fire was a large amount of trash that collected at the end of the escalator. The rubbish initially ignited and was able to generate enough heat to ignite the rest of the escalator.

It's been a while since I read up on that fire though, so don't quote me on that.

[pasobuff]

I believe you are right Marcus....

For those of you who may not know - these are still in service at Macys' in NYC (The picture posted I took a few years ago) - here is an interesting web site - http://www.forgotten-ny.com/STREET%2...or/wooden.html

[pasobuff]

From what I recall a big part of the problem that started the Kings Cross Fire was a large amount of trash that collected at the end of the escalator. The rubbish initially ignited and was able to generate enough heat to ignite the rest of the escalator.

It's been a while since I read up on that fire though, so don't quote me on that.

Your memory is prety good! - From the dreaded wikipedia -

The escalator on which the fire started was built just before World War II. The steps and sides of the escalator were partly made of wood, meaning that they burned quickly and easily. Although smoking was banned on the subsurface sections of the London Underground in February 1985 (a consequence of the Oxford Circus fire), the fire was most probably caused by a commuter discarding a burning match, which fell down the side of the escalator onto the running track (Fennell 1988, p. 111). The running track had not been cleaned in some time and was covered in grease and fibrous detritus.

Other possible causes such as arson and an IRA bomb were quickly rejected as possible causes of the fire because of the lack of damage to the metal sides of the escalator that would have been present in the event of a bomb.

[jeeves1]

Your memory is prety good! - From the dreaded wikipedia -

I am aware how it started.Who's to say the ones at macy's and others are kept in a cleaner state? and you dont just need a cigarette to start a fire as we all know.Think about the motors at the head and foot of each escalator, ie, heat or electrical.I'm just surprised these big stores never took heed over here.

[pasobuff]

I would hope that there is routine maintenance done down there like it is done here where I work...

Oh - and interestingly enough, this past winter there WAS a fire at Macys' in an escalator - but in one of the METAL ones! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/1..._n_398673.html

uh oh..... http://www.wpix.com/news/local/wpix-...,7919883.story