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DMVW #6941 is about to begin its switching rounds at Falkirk on its northward journey towards the CP interchange at Max.
The Falkirk Wheel
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The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift that transports canal boats between the lower Forth & Clyde canal & the higher Union canal. This shot was taken from the upper approach to the wheel at night. Falkirk, Central Scotland. Taken on a Nikon D80, March 2014. (2979)
A wonderful piece of engineering linking the Union Canal with the Forth & Clyde Canal near Falkirk.
2nd Sept 2021.
Falkirk Wheel, Scotland, September 2006. Image made with a (Cosina) Voigtländer Bessa L camera with Voigtländer Skopar 25mm f/4 LTM lens using Fujichrome Sensia 200 slide film.
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I would like to give a big thank you Sean the duty manager , Jim the nightwatchman and the rest of the staff at The Falkirk Wheel for all there help :-)
Scotrail Class 380 Numbers 380014 and 380114 arriving at Falkirk High with 1R78 1500 Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh Waverley.
Ref No 3.2015 09 12 045
Copyright © Keith Long - All rights reserved.
Well, being a mechanical engineer you obvisously can't go to Falkirk without visiting the Falkirk Wheel.
It's an impressive piece of engineering.
There's a quite long bit about it on Wikipedia so I decided to quote just the most important bits.
"The Falkirk Wheel (Scottish Gaelic: Cuibhle na h-Eaglaise Brice) is a rotating boat lift in Tamfourhill, Falkirk, in central Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link project, reconnecting the two canals for the first time since the 1930s.
[...]
The wheel has an overall diameter of 35 m (115 ft) and consists of two opposing arms extending 15 m (49 ft) beyond the central axle and taking the shape of a Celtic-inspired double-headed axe. Two sets of these axe-shaped arms are connected to a 3.8 m (12 ft) diameter central axle of length 28 m (92 ft). Two diametrically opposed water-filled caissons, each with a capacity of 250,000 litres (55,000 imp gal; 66,000 US gal), are fitted between the ends of the arms.
The caissons, or gondolas, always carry a combined weight of 500 tonnes (490 long tons; 550 short tons) of water and boats, with the gondolas themselves each weighing 50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons)." (Wikipedia)
Standing on top of the Falkirk Wheel, where the canal comes out into the boat lift - this entire section I am walking towards rotates, carrying down the barges to connect to the canal below, replacing a (sadly demolished) old series of locks which linked the Union Canal to the Forth and Clyde Canal. It's an astonishing structure, so well balanced it can rotate to carry a huge load of water and boats on a tiny amount of electricity. I like to think that some of the great engineers of the past, like Brunel, if they could see this, would stand and nod in approval.
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift located in Scotland, UK, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It is named after the nearby town of Falkirk which is in central Scotland. The two canals were previously connected by a series of 11 locks, but by the 1930s these had fallen into disuse, were filled in and the land built upon them.
The plan to regenerate the canals of central Scotland to reconnect Glasgow with Edinburgh was led by British Waterways with support and funding from seven local authorities, the Scottish Enterprise Network, the European Regional Development Fund and the Millennium Commission. It was decided early on to create a dramatic 21st century landmark structure to reconnect the canals, instead of simply recreating the historic lock flight. Designs were submitted for a boat lift to link the canals, with the Falkirk Wheel design winning. As with many Millennium Commission projects the site includes a visitors' centre containing a shop, café and exhibition centre.
The difference in the levels of the two canals at the wheel is 24 metres (79 ft), roughly equivalent to the height of an eight-storey building. The Union Canal, however, is 11m higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel, and boats must pass through a pair of locks to descend from this canal onto the aqueduct at the top of the wheel. The aqueduct could not have been positioned higher due to conflicts with the historically important Antonine Wall.
Wikipedia
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift in Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. Named after the nearby town of Falkirk in central Scotland, the lift opened in 2002, reconnecting the two canals for the first time since the 1930s as part of the Millennium Link project
Connecting the Forth and Clyde canal with the Union canal, the machine removes the need for several locks going from one to the other
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift located in Scotland, UK, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, opened in 2002. It is named after the nearby town of Falkirk which is in central Scotland. The two canals were previously connected by a series of 11 locks, but by the 1930s these had fallen into disuse, were filled in and the land built upon.
The plan to regenerate the canals of central Scotland to reconnect Glasgow with Edinburgh was led by British Waterways with support and funding from seven local authorities, the Scottish Enterprise Network, the European Regional Development Fund and the Millennium Commission. It was decided early on to create a dramatic 21st century landmark structure to reconnect the canals, instead of simply recreating the historic lock flight. Designs were submitted for a boat lift to link the canals, with the Falkirk Wheel design winning. As with many Millennium Commission projects the site includes a visitors' centre containing a shop, café and exhibition centre.
The difference in the levels of the two canals at the wheel is 24 metres (79 ft), roughly equivalent to the height of an eight-storey building. The Union Canal, however, is 11m higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel, and boats must pass through a pair of locks to descend from this canal onto the aqueduct at the top of the wheel. The aqueduct could not have been positioned higher due to conflicts with the historically important Antonine Wall.
When I was through visiting my dad recently, we took a drive out to the Falkirk Wheel, a remarkable boat lift which connects the Union Canal (at the top) to the Forth & Clyde Canal (bottom), replacing a long-gone set of locks that used to connect the two in the hey-day of the canals.
This modern piece of engineering, connecting two much older pieces of engineering history, is quite a remarkable bit of work. The rotating boat lift is so well balanced with counterweights that it uses very little energy to drive a rotation. Simple, efficient, elegant engineering - I suspect those who carved out the original canals centuries ago would appreciate the engineering of it.
It might be the most photographed structure for miles around but I hope you can see why. A beautiful piece of engineering at the best of times, the Wheel is mesmerising on a cold, dark, still, winter's night.
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It is named after the nearby town of Falkirk in central Scotland. The difference in the levels of the two canals at the wheel is 24 metres (79 ft), roughly equivalent to the height of an eight storey building. On 24 May 2002, Queen Elizabeth II opened the Falkirk Wheel as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations.(Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
When I was through visiting my dad recently, we took a drive out to the Falkirk Wheel, a remarkable boat lift which connects the Union Canal (at the top) to the Forth & Clyde Canal (bottom), replacing a long-gone set of locks that used to connect the two in the hey-day of the canals.
This modern piece of engineering, connecting two much older pieces of engineering history, is quite a remarkable bit of work. The rotating boat lift is so well balanced with counterweights that it uses very little energy to drive a rotation. Simple, efficient, elegant engineering - I suspect those who carved out the original canals centuries ago would appreciate the engineering of it.
Haven't been here for a few years now. Went today with my pal and took a few shots. Will have to go back at night sometime soon.
Hope you're all having a great Sunday!
Must see on black - hit "L".
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift in Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal
Another stop on our Sunday trip. This remarkable construction is used to lift boats from one canal to another one uphill. I think that they make more profit from tourists than they ever make from lock fees.
Opened in 2002, the Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift constructed to connect the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, a vertical distance of 24 metres.
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift in Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. The lift, named after the nearby town of Falkirk in central Scotland - even without the sunshine its a great place to visit
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift in Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. The lift, named after the nearby town of Falkirk in central Scotland, opened in 2002. It reconnects the two canals for the first time since the 1930s as part of the Millennium Link project.
The plan to regenerate central Scotland's canals and reconnect Glasgow with Edinburgh was led by British Waterways with support and funding from seven local authorities, the Scottish Enterprise Network, the European Regional Development Fund, and the Millennium Commission. Planners decided early on to create a dramatic 21st-century landmark structure to reconnect the canals, instead of simply recreating the historic lock flight.
The wheel raises boats by 24 metres (79 ft), but the Union Canal is still 11 metres (36 ft) higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel. Boats must also pass through a pair of locks between the top of the wheel and the Union Canal. The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world.
The Kelpies are 30-metre high horse-head sculptures, standing next to a new extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal, and near River Carron, in The Helix, a new parkland project built to connect 16 communities in the Falkirk Council Area, Scotland. The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. The sculptures form a gateway at the eastern entrance to the Forth and Clyde canal, and the new canal extension built as part of The Helix land transformation project. The Kelpies are a monument to horse powered heritage across Scotland.
The sculptures opened to the public in April 2014. As part of the project, they have their own visitor centre, and sit beside a newly developed canal turning pool and extension. This canal extension reconnects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the River Forth, and improves navigation between the East and West of Scotland.
source: Wikipedia
Very pleased with this - Lots of things transpiring to thwart me tonight - bank of cloud on the horizon would not shift, so had to hope for the best - the wheel lights were on for the first 30mins and then they were turned off! Finally, got locked into the carpark at the falkirk wheel and by a fluke of timing got let out by a security guard coming in to take over the shift - I wont make that mistake again!! Having spent the previous hour standing on the falkirk wheel in -2, I was pretty glad not to have spend the night in my car in the carpark!
Finally - caught my first shooting star in this as well - so pretty pleased. Guessed educatedly where polaris would be because I couldnt make it out and got it slap bang in the centre of the frame - again lucky but pleased nonetheless!
EXIF information has been scrubbed via starstax, but details below
Camera // Sony Alpha A900
Focal length // 17mm
ISO // 200
Length // 60s x 50 photos
Aperture // f5
Processing // 50 photos stacked in starstax and processed pre and post in lightroom
Cruciform church of medieval origin, almost entirely rebuilt in several phases; medieval square-plan tower, upper part remodelled and octagonal belfry with swept spire added by William Adam, 1738; body of medieval church demolished and replaced in 1810-11 by Gothic rectangular-plan building and SE mausoleum by James Gillespie Graham; to S a 2-storey Gothic session house with porte-cochère driveway (now glazed) and single storey flanking sections by Wardrop and Anderson, 1892. Monument to Sir John de Graeme, died 1298 at Battle of Falkirk (visible through gates on left).
Falkirk Old Parish Church is thought to have been founded on this site as early as the 7th century, although some sources claim that it was founded in 1057 by Malcolm Canmore; the tablet in the church porch bears a crude inscription supporting this theory.
The church became the property of Holyrood Abbey in 1166; one of the several theories of the origin of the name of Falkirk suggests that the church fell into disuse and ruin became known as the Fallen or Fall Kirk. The earliest sections of the present church are the remains of the medieval church which is thought to have been built around 1450. The medieval church was cruciform in plan with a tower over the crossing.
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift in Falkirk, Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. The lift, opened in 2002, reconnects the two canals for the first time since the 1930s as part of the Millennium Link project.
The wheel raises boats by 24 metres (79 ft), but the Union Canal is still 11 metres (36 ft) higher than the aqueduct which meets the wheel. Boats must also pass through a pair of locks between the top of the wheel and the Union Canal. The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world,
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When I was through visiting my dad recently, we took a drive out to the Falkirk Wheel, a remarkable boat lift which connects the Union Canal (at the top) to the Forth & Clyde Canal (bottom), replacing a long-gone set of locks that used to connect the two in the hey-day of the canals.
This modern piece of engineering, connecting two much older pieces of engineering history, is quite a remarkable bit of work. The rotating boat lift is so well balanced with counterweights that it uses very little energy to drive a rotation. Simple, efficient, elegant engineering - I suspect those who carved out the original canals centuries ago would appreciate the engineering of it.