Now it's Time for Miss Lauren Grace's Ride

Here is the view from Miss Lauren Grace as we ride the "Big Chute" down 57' to the Severn River. We are looking astern and we have just come up out of the water you see in this shot. Note the truck that was waiting while we crossed the road

This is what it looks like from our bow (the pointy end). The water is at the bottom of a BIG hill. Notice the slings that are supporting the boat in front of us. Those are our friends from Iowa, Pat & Dan.

After having waited for so many bridges to open for us it is sort of fun to see the cars (er, trucks) waiting while we cross. At the far right in the picture the tan colored steel frame is part of the carriage on the railway

These are friends from "Cruising Buff" way down below us on the observation area taking pictures of us in the railway carriage.

How it Works

Some of you have asked for more details about the marine railway, I will send some more info in the next update but here is the succinct explanation; be sure to enjoy it I'm not often succinct.

Note the explanation about why the carriage or "car" stays relatively level, when you see the slope on one side of the railway you will know why this is important.

Did You Ever See A Boat Cross The Road

The Big Chute Marine Railway is the last exciting lock on the TSW. Technically it is not a lock but a railway that moves boats overland to the body of water on the other side. There were two of them when the system was completed but the other one has been replaced with a lock. The Big Chute (lock #44 in the system) was a scary concept until we went to look at it and then, like many other things in boating and in life, once I understood how it works it was not such a big deal. In fact it was fun.

This is the point at which the boats actually do cross the road, you can see the guard gate that stops the traffic.

Now down the BIG hill on the other side

Here they are entering the railway "car" which calls for careful piloting, aka good boat driving skills.

This shot shows the support posts and the slings that rise out of the bottom of the car to support the boats for the ride across.

Kirkfield Lift Lock

On our way down and about to meet the other chamber

This is our floor!

They call this the hole-in-the-wall bridge!

Kirkfield Lift Lock, View from the chamber as we went into it. That water you see waayyy down there is where we are going

Packing the last boat into the Kirkfield Lift Lock. He got 6 boats and a dinghy in there!

View going down.

Approaching Kirkfield Lift Lock, our first descent of the TSW. Looks like we are driving off of a cliff!

Standing at the top of the lock looking down.

Miss Lauren Grace waiting at Kirkfield, notice all of our fenders are out for the locks.

Kirkfield Lockmaster explaining the delay to our friends Dan & Pat. Notice everyone has jackets on.

Trent Canal West of Balsam Lake

This makes the Dismal Swamp Canal look wide!

Self Explanatory!

And here is why. Not only is it narrow there are rocks like this underwater on both sides; wouldn't want to meet anyone in here.