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The Falkirk Wheel.

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PAUL161

PAUL161

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Saw this on Bing, which is what I use for my search engine. They change their screen shot every day.
Built in Scotland, it's an engineering marvel. Used to raise or lower boats from one level to another. The Scots are so proud of it, they put it on their 50 pound note, or so I'm told. Many photos are available. The area is so clean and manicured, it almost looks unreal. PJ

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Great stuff.
Is there a video of the action?
 
BabaKahawa said:
Great stuff.
Is there a video of the action?
Click to expand...
I've seen it on the Science channel or maybe Discovery. The balance is so good it uses very little electricity to move the boats.
 
So, what's it good for? lifting boats to owners waiting pickup or to take to dry storage or putting boats in water when owner wants. We have the same thing here at millions of dollars less....they're called "launch ramps"!
 
tony barnhill said:
So, what's it good for? lifting boats to owners waiting pickup or to take to dry storage or putting boats in water when owner wants. We have the same thing here at millions of dollars less....they're called "launch ramps"!
Click to expand...

Yeah, but our boat ramps can't do this:

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tony barnhill said:
So, what's it good for? lifting boats to owners waiting pickup or to take to dry storage or putting boats in water when owner wants. We have the same thing here at millions of dollars less....they're called "launch ramps"!
Click to expand...

Tony,
Think "Lock" for raising or lowering boats to traverse differing water levels. ie Panama Canal.
 
So, there's another canal behind those trees that is higher than the lower one in the video?
 
Yeah, and in Mickey's video they say the wheel replaced 11 locks to get the boats from one elevation to the other. So a big time saver too.
 
tony barnhill said:
So, there's another canal behind those trees that is higher than the lower one in the video?
Click to expand...

The "bridge" structure at the top of the wheel is an aquaduct leading to the canal.
 
Once you understand the entire operation (Wikipedia explains it pretty well) and learn that the other canal is 79 feet above this one - & that boats still have to traverse 2 locks to get down to it, the thing makes sense.

But, was it all built in an attempt to save the Antoine (Severan) Wall?
 
I guess I could close my mouth now! That's impressive for sure.
 
Great stuff.... beautiful design.
 
tony barnhill said:
But, was it all built in an attempt to save the Antoine (Severan) Wall?
Click to expand...

I've been there several times- it's on the list of local sights we drag all our visitors to see.

The original Union Canal was built in the early 1800s and joiuned the Forth & Clyde Canal. Both Canals fell into disrepair and the old locks became unusable.

The Wheel was part of a redevelopment scheme for the whole canal.

It's quite impressive, and they run very short tours up on it, along a short stretch of canal under a bridge, turn and go back down. The tour boats are like standard canal boats, but with windows and easy access. There's a nice visitor center too with a small shop and a cafe. There are also tours along the canals and even dinner cruises....

On a nice, sunny day it's really nice for the views across the local countryside with its low, rolling hills and small towns are pretty.

The Antonine wall runs close by and there is a ancient fort site there within walking distance that can be visited.

And its great country thereabouts for a little drive in an LBC.
 
Is this thing used for commercial purposes too, or strictly as a tourism gimmick?
 
James, The last time we were in England we wanted to tour Scotland but ran out of time. From what some of our family have told us, you have a beautiful country with many wonderful historical sites. We hope to go there on our next trip to the UK. PJ
 
DrEntropy said:
Is this thing used for commercial purposes too, or strictly as a tourism gimmick?
Click to expand...

It's not a gimmick, but the canals no longer carry the industrial traffic that they were originally designed and intended for. People now seem the main users of the canals for pleasure purposes- boating and other canal-side activities (walking, biking, etc.). Our local Austin Healey club meets (last Wednesday of every month) at this canalside pub.

The most commercial canal is the Caledonian Canal that runs through the Highlands and offers boaters (sail especially) a transit that avoids a long passage over the top of Scotland (which has, I believe, some of the worst sailing weather). This doesn't carry much freight I think but is a useful route, besides being attractive, too.

<span style="font-style: italic">edited to add:</span>

There's also at least one Canal Festival that's used to promote using the canal and the canalside businesses and towns.

So the canal has gone from being a somewhat dangerous and derelict eyesore that was an overgrown dumping ground to a modestly used and growing outlet for pleasure boating, walking and cycling; and various businesses catering to those users. And it's a tourist attraction as well, and brings in people to see the other local sights.

I think it's been a success, besides being an engineering marvel.
 
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