MetaChat - The Falkirk Wheel

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19 May 2006

The Falkirk Wheel I was chatting with my local used photo gear guy and mentioned that I live next to, and enjoy photographing, the Erie Canal. He told me I should google "Falkirk Wheel" and said I'd be amazed at what I found. →[More:] I was. Not only does the wheel take the place of 11 conventional locks, it uses only the equivalent of 8 boiling kettles (22.5kW) worth of electricity to operate. It's on my list of Things I Must See In the UK when I manage to get back there again.

post by: tommasz at: 13:54 | 8 comments

wow

posted by Capn 19 May | 14:07

It's like they invented engineering, or something. Show-offs.

posted by stilicho 19 May | 14:17

Yo, that's wicked. I want one for my, uh, well I just want one, okay?

posted by Hugh Janus 19 May | 15:19

Who the hell measures energy consumption in units of "Boiling Kettle"?

Looks neat. I will place it on my long list of things to see in the world.

posted by sarah connor 19 May | 16:49

Very, very cool.

posted by chewatadistance 19 May | 17:25

Who the hell measures energy consumption in units of "Boiling Kettle"?

It is a recognized standard unit of work in the UK, just like the hour is a unit of distance in Canada.

posted by Capn 19 May | 21:57

I've been there and it is, indeed, pretty freaking cool.

posted by grouse 20 May | 08:02

That is freaking awesome. I wonder if there are not more (any) connectors like this one is because it can't be done in an incremental way - You need a high enough altitude difference and existing canals would simply avoid terrain like that.

posted by mzurer 20 May | 12:52

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