Ship elevator

[george013]

Driving south of Brussel through the shelving landscape of Belgium a huge construction rises. It's the ship elevator of Strepy. To overrule a difference of more then 70 meters, ships go in huge basins that can be closed and transported vertical upwards or downwards for that distance.



Here is the bassin in top position.



The basin is nearly down. When it's down the two doors, of the canal and the bassin, are lifted together so the ship can sail out. It's amazing how dry the cellar where the bassin goes in, remains.


For a fixed donation you can go up. Picture is from behind glass.


The 2 entrances of the elevator. The contra weights are on the outside of the construction.


This elevator replaces 4 older elevators. This one is a mostly concrete construction, the older ones are of iron, late 19th century.

For those who're interrested
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Str%C3...hieu_boat_lift
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifts_...anal_du_Centre

In France I've been at a elevator placed against the slope of a mountain with a canal in the mountains going to the top. On one site looking op the mountain and on the other site down the mountain.

George

[bnnrcn]

Very nice images, thanks for sharing and explaining

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Geoff F]

Yes, interesting and well photographed.

[IzzieK]

Very interesting write up with photographs. That is it...that makes it interesting -- you got your shots in.

[george013]

I'm not satisfied with some colors, for a next time.

Searching for some English written info I discovered there's a elevator in Holland to. Fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iNWd8hoC4w

George

[NorthernFocus]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[Manfred M]

Very interesting. We have one of those too.

[george013]

Very interesting. We have one of those too.

That's a nice one so between the trees. Seems to be hydraulic?

George

[Manfred M]

That's a nice one so between the trees. Seems to be hydraulic?

George

Yes it is. The two large basins operate in an opposed manner; one goes up while the other goes down at the same time riding on the large pistons. The lock first opened in 1904 and with a 20m / 65ft lift. The rise is no where near height of the Belgian one you have shown.

It is only used for recreational boating these days.

[george013]

Yes it is. The two large basins operate in an opposed manner; one goes up while the other goes down at the same time riding on the large pistons. The lock first opened in 1904 and with a 20m / 65ft lift. The rise is no where near height of the Belgian one you have shown.

It is only used for recreational boating these days.

These basins are each others contra weight too? So pumping the oil to the left or to the right.

Maybe I'm going to Lille, north France, a weekend. When I'm allowed I try to pass the old elevators in Belgium on the way back home. Products of an iron time.

George

[norrie]

I like engineering shots, this is one I would not have missed, thanks for sharing

[joebranko]

Great series of shots. I particularly like the perspective of the first shot!

[Manfred M]

These basins are each others contra weight too? So pumping the oil to the left or to the right.

Maybe I'm going to Lille, north France, a weekend. When I'm allowed I try to pass the old elevators in Belgium on the way back home. Products of an iron time.

George

Not oil George, it uses water. The two pistons are interconnected by a valve. Add more water to the top caisson and it sinks down, raising the lower one up. Remember this is an early 20th Century design, so it is quite simple from a mechanical design standpoint.

[george013]

Not oil George, it uses water. The two pistons are interconnected by a valve. Add more water to the top caisson and it sinks down, raising the lower one up. Remember this is an early 20th Century design, so it is quite simple from a mechanical design standpoint.

I searched for some info. It's the Peterborough Lift Lock.

Mod Comment (Dave): the link previously here went to a page which gave a pop up advert instead of running the video, I have found alternatives:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterborough_Lift_Lock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCwvfRXcopE

George

[george013]

I've been back in that place and shot one of the old elevators. They are of the hydraulic method.

Builded in the end of the 19th century. The new Strepy elevator replaces 4 of them.


They're used for recreation at the moment. So closed in the winter. The 2 caissons where half way. I could make a picture of the cilinder. Not very great but I was not supposed there to be.


George

[Wavelength]

Excellent images

[Manfred M]

Thanks for posting these George, the shots are very interesting. The ironwork definitely has that 19th century look and feel.