The BIG Chute



Traveling the Trent Severn toward the Big Chute (considered Lock #44) is beautiful.



The Big Chute Marine Railway. Instead of a traditional lock to lower your elevation the chute works on an inclined plane to carry boats in individual cradles over a change of height of about 60 feet.  It is the only marine railway of its kind in North America still in use today. 


We went to go check it out before actually going through so we would know what to expect.



The sign at the entrance to the Chute (in very small print) warns boat owners of potential damage to their vessels on the Big Chute and shuns any responsibility by Parks Canada.


Here are some of the pulleys that make it work.


Their is only one "cradle" that transports the boats up and down. Here it is coming back up while empty.


Here it is at the crest and beginning its trip back down while fully loaded.


The larger boats usually hang off the back to allow their props to hang off too. This is also what happened with Second Wave.



Misty Pearl had to go by herself since there weren't any other smaller boats waiting.  The size of the cradle is 80 ft long and 26 ft wide. Misty Pearl is 43 ft long and 16 ft wide.


Then it was our turn! Antonia from Kerrville, Tx was told to pull in first in the front middle then Second Wave was going to pull in back middle and hang off the back.  It was a little unnerving but all turned out well!


Going up!


Leveling off!



In the photo above is Second Wave hanging off the back. 

From the front in the picture below, Second Wave is in the background.


Going down!



All done!


What a ride! Nowhere else in North America can you do that. Its one of the highlights of the Loop for many.



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