Four Lifts

MENTAL EXPLORATION 294 - THE FOUR LIFTS ON THE CANAL DU CENTRE, BELGIUM

THE FOUR LIFTS ON THE CANAL DU CENTRE, BELGIUM

Belgian Boat Lifts: Strépy-Thieu, La Louvière and the Ronquières inclined plane

The Strépy-Thieu boat lift

L'ascenseur funiculaire de Strépy-Thieu lies on a branch of the Canal du Centre in the municipality of Le Rœulx, Hainaut. With a height difference of 73.15 metres (240.0 ft) between the upper and the lower reaches of the canal, it is the highest boat lift in the world.
The boat lift was designed during the Canal du Centre's modernisation program in order to replace a system of two locks and four 16-metre lifts dating from 1888 to 1919. These locks and lifts were able to accommodate vessels of up to 300 tonnes. By the 1960s, this was no longer adequate for the new European standard of 1350 tonnes for barge traffic, and a replacement was sought.
The construction of the lift commenced in 1982 and was not completed until 2002 at an estimated cost of € 160 million (then 6.4 billion BEF), but once operational, it permitted river traffic of up to the new 1350-tonne standard to pass between the waterways of the Meuse and Scheldt rivers. The lift increased the river traffic from 256 kT in 2001 to 2,295 kT in 2006.


Lifts on the old Canal du Centre

The lifts on the old Canal du Centre are a series of four hydraulic boat lifts near the town of La Louvière (Wallonia), classified both as Wallonia's Major Heritage and as a World Heritage Site (province of Hainaut). Along a particular 7km stretch of the Canal du Centre, which connects the river basins of the Meuse and the Scheldt, the water level rises by 66.2 meters. To overcome this difference, the 15.4-meter lift at Houdeng-Goegnies was opened in 1888, and the other three lifts, each with a 16.93 m rise, opened in 1917.
The elevators are double, consisting of two vertically mobile tanks or caissons, each supported in the center by an iron column. The two columns are hydraulically linked in such a way that one caisson rises as the other descends, the weight of one counterbalancing the weight of the other.
These lifts were designed by Edwin Clark of the British company Clark, Stansfield & Clark.
Since 2002, operation of the lifts has been limited to recreational use. Commercial traffic now bypasses the old lifts and is handled by the enormous Strépy-Thieu boat lift
Following an accident in January 2002, in which a malfunctioning elevator began rising as a motor barge was exiting, lift no. 1 was taken out of service. During the repair work, which began in 2005, a thorough restoration is undertaken.


The Ronquières inclined plane

The Ronquières Inclined Plane is a Belgian canal inclined plane on the Brussels-Charleroi Canal in the province of Hainaut in Wallonia that opened in 1968. It is located in the municipality of Braine-le-Comte, and takes its name from the nearby village of Ronquières.
The Ronquières Inclined Plane has a length of 1,432 m and lifts boats through 67.73 m vertically. It consists of two large caissons mounted on rails. Each caisson measures 91 m long by 12 m wide and has a water depth between 3 and 3.70 m. It can carry one boat of 1,350 tonnes or many smaller boats within the same limits.
Each caisson has a 5,200 tonne counterweight running in the trough below the rails, which permits the caisson to be moved independently of the other. Each caisson is pulled by 8 cables (each of which is 1480 m long) wound by winches located at the top end of the inclined plane.
Each caisson can be moved between the two canal levels at a speed of 1.2 m/s, taking about 22 minutes.
It takes 50 minutes in total to pass through the 1800 m of the entire structure, including the raised canal bridge at the top end.
More info:

Source: Wikipedia

Belgium-België: Passing the old and new boat lifts

In 2001 we made a tour with our motorboat „IJsvogel on the river Meuse and the canals in Belgium, passing the old and the new boat lifts on the canal du centre, the ship elevator of Strepy --Thieu (height 73 meters) and the inclined plane of Ronquières.
In 2001 maakten wij met onze motorboot 'IJsvogel' een tocht door België, waarbij wij verschillende schepenliften passeerden.

The Four Lifts on the Canal du Centre and their ... (UNESCO/NHK)

The four hydraulic boat-lifts on this short stretch of the historic Canal du Centre are industrial monuments of the highest quality. Together with the canal itself and its associated structures, they constitute a remarkably well-preserved and complete example of a late-19th-century industrial landscape. Of the eight hydraulic boat-lifts built at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, the only ones in the world which still ...

Source: UNESCO TV / © NHK Nippon Hoso Kyokai
URL:

The Strépy-Thieu boat lift in Belgium, part 4.

The large lock gate closes.

Belgian Boat Lifts: The Strépy-Thieu Boat Lift - L'ascenseur funiculaire de Strépy-Thieu

The Strépy-Thieu boat lift lies on a branch of the Canal du Centre in the municipality of Le Rœulx, Hainaut, Belgium. With a height difference of 73.15 meters (240.0 ft) between the upstream and downstream reaches, it is the tallest boat lift in the world.

The boat lift was designed during the Canal du Centre's modernization program in order to replace a system of two locks and four 16-meter lifts dating from 1888 to 1919. The canal itself began operations in 1879 and its locks and lifts were able to accommodate vessels of up to 300 tonnes. By the 1960s, this was no longer adequate for the new European standard of 1350 tonnes for barge traffic, and a replacement was sought.

Construction of the lift commenced in 1982 and was not completed until 2002 at an estimated cost of € 160 million (then 6.4 billion BEF), but once operational, permitted river traffic of up to the new 1350-tonne standard to pass between the waterways of the Meuse and Scheldt rivers. The lift increased river traffic from 256 kT in 2001 to 2,295 kT in 2006.

The four older lifts, now bypassed on the original line of the Canal du Centre to the south, are still in use, but are limited to recreational traffic only. Their architectural and historical value has led them to be placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The structure at Strépy-Thieu consists of two independent counter-weighted caissons, which travel vertically between the upstream and downstream sections. Due to the Archimedes' Principle, the caissons weigh the same whether they are laden with a boat or simply contain water. In practice, variations in the water level mean that the mass of each caisson varies between 7200 and 8400 tonnes. The caissons have useful dimensions of 112 m by 12 m and a water depth of between 3.35 and 4.15 m. Each caisson is supported by 112 suspension cables (for counterbalance) and 32 control cables (for lifting/lowering), each of 85 mm diameter.
Four electric motors power eight winches per caisson via speed-reduction gearboxes and the 73.15-meter lift is completed in seven minutes.

Text: Wikipedia

Film about the canal boat lifts of Belgium, 1990's -- Film 5141

The canal boat lifts of Belgium built by the same man who built the Anderton Boat lift showing La Louviere , Ronquiere, Strepy and Anderton. Cross channel ferry.

How does Tandemlift work? Machineroom + Cabin view how these Massive cranes lift up to 130TON!

Look how Belgium, England and South Africa do their tandem lifts! We received great footage of a working machineroom of a STS Tandem crane in the Port of Antwerp on the PSA terminal. I made this compilation to give you a better view inside and outside the Tandem STS Cranes! The maximum lifting capacity of the cranes in Belgium is 130ton in the cables and up to 100ton under the spreader.
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The four lifts on the Centre Canal and their environs

The four lifts on the Canal du Centre and their surrounds

The industrial revolution in the 19th century gave rise to major industrial development, particularly in the province of Hainaut. There are few natural waterways in the area, and so much work was done to create a large network of canals.

The Canal du Centre, wich runs through the Province of Hainaut, spans the 24 kms between Mons and Seneffe and is the main waterway connecting France, the Port of Antwerp, the Netherlands and Germany. Work on the canal began in 1882 and was completed in 1917, creating a link between the Escaut and Meuse basins.

Strepy Thieu Boat Lift in Belgium Was the Tallest Boat Lift in the World!

Strepy Thieu Boat Lift in Belgium Was the Tallest Boat Lift in the World!
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The Strépy-Thieu boat lift (French: L'ascenseur funiculaire de Strépy-Thieu) lies on a branch of the Canal du Centre in the municipality of Le Rœulx, Hainaut, Belgium. With a height difference of 73.15 metres (240.0 ft) between the upstream and downstream reaches, it was the tallest boat lift in the world upon its completion, and remained so until the Three Gorges Dam ship lift in China was completed in January 2016.

Construction of the lift commenced in 1982 and was not completed until 2002 at an estimated cost of €160 million (then 6.4 billion BEF), but once operational, permitted river traffic of up to the new 1350-tonne standard to pass between the waterways of the Meuse and Scheldt rivers. The lift increased river traffic from 256 kT in 2001 to 2,295 kT in 2006.

The four older lifts on the Canal du Centre, which became bypassed by the new Canal du Centre, are on the UNESCO World Heritage list, because of their architectural and historical value.


Video taken on April 2019.

#StrepyThieu #BoatLift #Belgium

The Arzviller Boat Elevator / Saint-Louis-Arzviller Inclined Plane in France | European Waterways

The Arzviller Boat Elevator / Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane in France - Cruising on the Canal de la Marne au Rhin aboard Hotel Barge Panache.

Our hotel barges gently introduce you to some of Europe's finest scenery, fascinating history and local culture.


The Saint-Louis-Arzviller Boat Elevator

In 1964, the design for a transversal inclined plane was chosen by an international contest as the system best adapted to the topography of the site. Completed in 1969, the Saint-Louis-Arzviller inclined plane carries boats and canal barges from the upper to the lower canal, traveling up a 41% slope, dealing with a difference in level of 146 feet with a horizontal length of 422 feet.

Boats are raised between different levels by sailing into giant water-filled tanks, or caissons, which have wheels on the bottom and watertight doors at each end and which are perpendicular to the slope. These are then drawn up or down hill on the rails by means of cables being pulled by a stationary engine. When the caisson has reached the top or bottom of the slope, the doors are opened and the boat leaves.

The inclined plane of Saint-Louis-Arzviller is able to carry 39 barges per day. Each journey is made in four minutes, making a total transportation time of twenty minutes between going in and going out.


Panache

The 12 passenger Panache is of classic Dutch design. She is traditionally furnished in an old ship style with brass and mahogany, creating a comfortable and charming ambience.

The well planned accommodation offers a choice of six air-conditioned Junior Suites, all with full en-suite facilities with oversized showers with massage jets and double sinks, and a choice of twin or double bed configuration. The saloon and dining room feature comfortable sofas, books and music, and an always open inclusive bar. The sun deck is spacious and has a heated spa pool, a perfect place to watch the sun set after dinner.
Panache's highly professional crew of six is comprised of Master Chef, Deck Hand/Steward, Tour guide and two Housekeepers, led by a knowledgeable and experienced Captain who will ensure your cruise is memorable and more. Their knowledge of the region, combined with fascinating chauffeur driven private excursions and the 12 bikes we provide will allow you to explore the areas you cruise through in as much detail as you desire. For more information please see:


Alsace- Lorraine

Alsace-Lorraine is a unique corner of France. Discover a land of storybook castles, rolling vineyards of Alsatian wines as well as Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque architecture. For centuries, the great empires of Europe confronted one another at this strategic and military crossroads. The area's unique blend of French and German influences are strongly evident in its customs, cuisine, wines, architecture and language. For more information please see:

Old Boat Lift - Belgium - Overview of top side

shows the top side of the lift...

The boat lift on the Belgium canals. Strépy-Thieu boat lift

Belgium Geel client miniature motorized platform lift,screw lift systems mini jacks gearboxes

Belgium Geel client miniature motorized platform lift,screw lift systems mini jacks gearboxes are from Jacton Industry.
JTC2.5 mini screw jack systems structures:
mini jacks model: 2units JTC2.5-UR-600-H-Special-A
mini jacks model: 2units x JTC2.5-UR-600-H-Special-B
mini gearboxes model: JTA-15-1:1-I-LR
mini gearboxes model: JTA-15-1:1-I-LR-O
JTC5 small screw jack systems structures:
small jacks model: 2units JTC5-UR-600-H-Special-A
small jacks model: 2units x JTC5-UR-600-H-Special-B
small gearboxes model: JTP65-1:1-A
small gearboxes model: JTP65-1:1-B
Visit to learn more about JACTON JTC2.5 mini jack, JTC5 small jack, JTA15 mini gearbox, and JTP65 small gearbox.

Boat lift in belgium - Overview

There are two other video's showing it operating. I believe the lift is 300 meter, the platform i am standing on is probably 60-70 feet high.

The Falkirk Wheel (boat lift)

The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift in the world. An amazing piece of engineering which links the Union Canal with the Forth and Clyde Canal.
Historically, the two canals had been joined at Falkirk by a flight of 11 locks that stepped down across a distance of 1.5km, but these had been dismantled in 1933, breaking the link.

The boat here is lifted from the canal basin beside the Forth and Clyde canal up to the aqueduct, before going through the 160m/1095ft Rough Castle tunnel to the Union Canal.
Wheel rotate sequence speeded up by x2 as lift takes 5 minutes!
The Falkirk Wheel was opened by the Queen in May 2002, and is now one of Scotlands most popular tourist attractions.

The wheel has an overall diameter of 35 metres (115 ft) and consists of two opposing arms which extend 15 metres beyond the central axle and take the shape of a Celtic-inspired, double-headed axe. Two sets of these axe-shaped arms are attached about 25 metres (82 ft) apart to a 3.5 metres (11 ft) diameter axle. Two diametrically opposed water-filled caissons, each with a capacity of 80,000 gallons, are fitted between the ends of the arms.
These caissons (also known as gondolas) always weigh the same whether or not they are carrying their combined capacity of 600 tonnes of floating canal barges as, according to Archimedes' principle, floating objects displace their own weight in water, so when the boat enters, the amount of water leaving the caisson weighs exactly the same as the boat. This keeps the wheel balanced and so, despite its enormous mass, it rotates through 180° in five and a half minutes while using very little power. It takes just 22.5 kilowatts (30.2 hp) to power the electric motors, which consume just 1.5 kilowatt-hours (5.4 MJ) of energy in four minutes, roughly the same as boiling eight kettles of water.

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Strépy-Thieu boat lift

The Strépy-Thieu funicular boat lift is the tallest in the world. Located on the Canal du Centre near the Walloon towns of La Louvière and Le Rœulx in Belgium. It allows the boats passing through a downhill of 73,15 metres. It replaced in 2002 the four old hydraulic boat lifts on the origininal section of the canal, built between 1888 and 1917, which are now an UNESCO World Heritage Site