A Boat Elevator August 1

What should be one of the wonders of the world made its first run in September, 2002; The Strépy-Thieu Boat Lift.
When it was completed, it bypassed 4 19th century boatlifts, one of which later malfunctioned and destroyed a cargo barge, and two regular locks.
Each side is a tank that is lifted or dropped 73 meters (about 240 ft.), complete with boats. Large cement blocks ride on the outside of the tower, acting as counterweights.
We entered at the bottom for an elevator ride up.

In this view as we approached, you can see the right hand tank is at the top letting boats out into the canal that stretches out to the left. We'll be following that 40 meter barge sitting by the red light. The tanks are each 112 meters long and 15 meters wide. There will be plenty of room.

Now we're tied up behind the barge we'll be following and the tank is about halfway down.

These boats just took the ride down. The tank door opens up and you leave the tank under it.

Now we're about halfway up.
We got to the top, the door lifted up and we were on our way out. The long walls on the canal allowed a great stop for lunch and some pics.

Cory is enjoying the view even if he just found out the film in that camera around his neck was no good.