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1.5kWh of energy, not power.
And it’s not lifting 500 tons. Each bucket weighs 500 tons (regardless of boat or no boat, due to displacement physics), it is in almost perfect balance. The motor simply has to rotate the mechanism against frictional losses.
You know it’s one of those things, I live about 40 minutes from here and have never visited it. Nor the Kelpies nearby. Impressive engineering.
Did you visit the Forth Bridge while you were here? Another marvel of engineering!!
That’s the large white suspension bridge? We did drive over it! But if not, no other bridges stand out to me. We turned around in Lenlithgow (sp?) after the Marches to head to Pitlochery.
@chatgpt@lemmings.world tell me about Falkirk Wheel.
The Falkirk Wheel is a unique engineering marvel located in Falkirk, Scotland. It is a rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, allowing boats to navigate the 24-meter vertical difference between the two canals.
The wheel was designed as a modern replacement for a series of 11 locks that were dismantled in 1933. Its construction was part of the Millennium Link project, which aimed to reconnect the two canals for the first time in almost 70 years.
The Falkirk Wheel operates using a balanced pair of caissons, each capable of carrying up to four canal boats at a time. These caissons are mounted on rotating arms, which allow them to be lifted or lowered in a circular motion. The wheel is powered by just 1.5 kilowatts of electricity.
The entire process of raising or lowering a boat takes around 15 minutes, during which visitors can observe the impressive engineering in action. The Falkirk Wheel attracts numerous tourists each year, and it has become a popular attraction in Scotland.
Apart from its functional purpose, the Falkirk Wheel has also become an iconic landmark, winning several architectural and engineering awards. It showcases the innovative and creative capabilities of engineering while providing a fantastic experience for visitors and canal enthusiasts alike.
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Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.
I’m always amazed what engineers accomplish.
When I read about it, I knew I had to go there! Bonus picture, the 66ft boat I piloted down the canal and through the wheel!!!
