Big Chute Marine Railway facts for kids
Big Chute Marine Railway
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| Waterway | Trent-Severn Waterway |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Maintained by | Parks Canada |
| Operation | Patent slip |
| First built | 1917 |
| Latest built | 1978 |
| Fall | 18m (60 ft) |
| Coordinates | 44°53′05″N 79°40′27″W / 44.884722°N 79.674139°W |
The Big Chute Marine Railway is a unique way for boats to travel over land! It's located at Lock 44 on the Trent–Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada. This special railway lifts boats out of the water and carries them up or down a hill. It helps boats move between different water levels, about 18 meters (60 feet) high.
It's like a giant elevator for boats! The Big Chute Marine Railway is the only one of its kind still working in North America. Parks Canada operates this amazing railway. It's a very important stop for people exploring the 6,000-mile Great Loop boat route.
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How the Big Chute Marine Railway Works
The Big Chute Marine Railway uses a huge cradle to move boats. This cradle is about 24 meters (80 feet) long and 8 meters (26 feet) wide. Boats float right into this cradle.
Powerful electric motors, 200 horsepower each, pull the cradle using strong cables. The railway can carry a total weight of up to 100 short tons (about 90,700 kg). The cradle moves on a special dual track system. This system keeps the boat level as it travels up or down the hill.
As the cradle gets close to the water, it tilts slightly. This helps the boat slide smoothly into the water. Boats rest on the bottom of the cradle. Special webbing slings are also used to keep boats safe and steady during the trip.
History of the Big Chute Marine Railway
Early Plans and World War I
Back in 1914, there were plans to build three locks to connect the Severn River to Georgian Bay. These locks were meant for Port Severn, Big Chute, and Swift Rapids. But then World War I started. This caused a shortage of workers and materials.
Lock 45 at Port Severn was almost done, so it was finished as a small, "temporary" lock. It's still used today! However, the locks planned for Big Chute and Swift Rapids were not completed. Instead, temporary marine railways were built.
The First Big Chute Railway
The first Big Chute Marine Railway was finished in 1917. It could only carry boats up to 10.7 meters (35 feet) long. This meant large commercial boats couldn't use it. The Swift Rapids Marine Railway was built in 1919 using similar plans.
Upgrades and Delays
In 1921, new plans were made to build three locks at Big Chute. These would be part of a new canal section. This new section would help boats avoid fast water downstream. But a recession after the war put these plans on hold again. You can still find parts of the dams that were started in the nearby forest.
In 1923, the original railway at Big Chute was replaced. More and bigger boats were using the waterway. The new carriage could carry boats up to 18.3 meters (60 feet) long. This 1923 carriage was used until about 2003. It served as a backup or for very busy days. Even though it's not used anymore, the old carriage is still on display.
Modernization and the Sea Lamprey Challenge
In the 1960s, more surveys were done. The old Swift Rapids Marine Railway was replaced with a regular lock in 1964. Plans were also made for a single lock at Big Chute.
However, a problem came up. The sea lamprey, a fish that was harming the fishing industry in the Great Lakes, was found in Gloucester Pool. This was at the bottom of the railway. Plans for the new lock were put on hold. People tried to find ways to stop the lamprey from spreading.
By the late 1960s, the old marine railway couldn't handle all the boat traffic. Boats often had to wait overnight! Researchers worked to find a way to stop the sea lamprey from moving into Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. At the same time, they needed to make boat travel faster.
A scientist watched boats at the railway for days. They finally saw a lamprey attached to a boat. The lamprey fell off after only a short distance. This showed that the railway was good at stopping the lamprey from spreading.
The Current Railway
In 1976, it was finally decided to build a new, bigger railway. The current carriage opened in 1978. It can carry boats up to 30.5 meters (100 feet) long and 7.3 meters (24 feet) wide. This amazing railway cost $3 million to build.
The old railway system has been taken out of service by Parks Canada. This was done to meet modern safety rules. However, the old tracks and carriage are still there. The last time the old system was used was in 2003.
