Steam-powered elevator - photos

[Frank S]

So- as the steam gradually condenses, the car/floor levels slowly come out of alignment when the car is "upstairs"?

This would be a difficult call to make given we do not have any particulars of the mechanism's used.
If we were to assume a simple piston in a cylinder with no restraining devices at elevation, then yes it would settle and drift back to the lowest level If it were a turbine driven windless draw-work using cables and counter weight then it would remain in place possibly through gear reduction or a more conventional positive braking which required pressure to release.
There is just not enough information