Now Here's a Lock!

My wife and I, with another couple, rented a 60' x 8' canal boat for a week this past Fall. Within 5 minutes of starting the trip from Falkirk to Edinburgh, we had to go through the "Wheel". A bit unnerving. I kept wondering what I would do if the door at the end of the bathtub were to pop open when at the top. At the top, you can see across the countryside for miles. Upon leaving the upper level, we continued our trip to Edinburgh on a canal built in 1822. Many of the bridges along the way were built at the same time as the original canal. We came back through the wheel and continued toward Glasgow on an even older canal. It was a great trip, but I would recommend that it be done during the off season, to avoid too much other traffic, and waiting for boats to lock through. Average speed is 2-4 mph.
 
Thanks for sharing your personal experience with us -- interesting that one of the 'pub' members went thru that lock. Whew! -- to say the least.
 
Not only an engineering marvel, but beautiful as well! Two elements not too commonly found together!

There's a TV program about the wheel, I think on the Discovery Channel.

Too bad we can't have a CBGT there!

Joe.
 
Saw a "Modern Marvels" program where, in rebuilding the Panama Canal to take larger beams than Panamax, they are going to have tubs where the ships sit and they will move them sideways to another location to get the ships out. That way they will conserve the water level of Lake Gatun. I think.... :roll:

Charlie
 
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