This page
features pictures and historical information about the following:
Stenson, Stenson Lock, Trent & Mersey canal.
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Photos of Stenson Lock's bottom gates being replaced. |
Before
the new lock gates.
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Photo
Description : The deep Lock at Stenson. Exact Map Location : Click HERE Date photo taken : 10th June 2001 Other Information : This is a view of the bottom lock gates, with a rise & fall of 12' 2", the lock is one of the deepest, if not the deepest on the Trent and Mersey. This is a long drop when you are in a boat between the two sets of gates. |
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Photo
Description : The lock gate leaking Date photo taken : 10th June 2001 Other Information : This shows the state of the lock gate in Summer 2001, as you can see water is squirting out between the gates. |
During
the fitting of the new lock gates.
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Photo
Description : The old gates Date photo taken : 9th February 2002 Other Information : These are the old lock gates that have been removed from the lock chamber. The balance beams are stacked on the right side. The gate on the top used to be on towpath side and the gate nearest the ground used to be on the opposite side, next to what was the lock keepers cottage. You can clearly see the pivot point on left side of the top gate. |
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Photo
Description : The coffer dam Date photo taken : 9th February 2002 Other Information : A Coffer dam is a temporary structure used to hold back the water from the area to be worked on. It can consist of scaffolding erected on the canal bed and covered in heavy duty plastic (as seen here), or large planks of timber known as 'stop planks', which are slid into slots cut into the masonry on each side of the canal. |
Photo
Description : The lock Cill Date photo taken : 11th February 2002 Other Information : This photo shows the Cill of the bottom gates. The bottom of the lock gates butt upto this shape to provide a water tight seal when the lock gates are closed. You would not normally see this on the bottom gates as it would be under about 4' of water. |
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Photo
Description : The coffer dam on the lower side. Date photo taken : 1st March 2002 Other Information : This dam is on the lower side of the lock chamber and prevents water from entering the chamber whilst they work is in progress.The stop planks can be seen in the slot which is cut into the brickwork under the bridge. |
Photo
Description : The drained lock chamber Date photo taken : 1st March 2002 Other Information : Notice the old rusty base pivot recepticle on the bottom/middle of this photo. This is where the bottom of the lock gate would pivot out from. You would not normally see the lock chamber empty like this. note also the brick lining in the bottom of the chamber. |
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Photo
Description : The ground paddle culvert outlets. Date photo taken : 1st March 2002 Other Information : This photo is of the area below the top lock gates, The two holes in the cill are the ground paddle culvert outlets. Ground paddles have a sluice set into the top side of the lock, Water flows from there through an underground culvert to these outlets in the lock chamber (below the lowest normal water level) Because this chamber is drained you can see them clearly here. |
Photo
Description : The new steel Quoin Date photo taken : 22nd February 2002 Other Information : This shows where the old wooden quoins have been removed and new steel quoins are in the process of being fitted. The heelpost of the lock gate fits into the quoin. As the lock fills, the pressure of the water on the gate pushes the heelpost further into the quoin ensuring a water tight seal. |
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Photo
Description : The new hinge plate Date photo taken : 22nd February 2002 Other Information : This shows the new plate onto which the U shaped collar is bolted. The collar holds the top of the gate into position. This one is on the side nearest the lock keepers cottage. |
Fitting
the new lock gates.
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Photo
Description : Long distance view of Stenson lock |
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Photo
Description : The crane Date photo taken : 6th March 2002 Other Information : This is the crane that was used to fit the lock gates, notice the large Counter balance weights. The reason such a large crane is used is due to the weight of the gates (2920Kg each) and also the limited working space around the locks. |
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Photo
Description : Preparing the second gate for lifting Date photo taken : 6th March 2002 Other Information : The lock gate seen here is the second of the two lock gates. The workmen (and a woman) prepare the gate by removing the packing wood from it. |
Photo
Description : Attaching the lifting chains |
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Photo
Description : The lifting sequence |
Photo
Description : Manoeuvring the gate A windless or lock key is used to wind up the paddle gear which opens thus letting the water out of the lock. |
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Photo
Description : Manoeuvring the gate into the lock chamber 1 Date photo taken : 6th March 2002 Other Information : The crane has moved the lock gate over to the lock chamber and it has been rotated ready for placing in position. |
Photo
Description : Manoeuvring the gate into the chamber 2 Date photo taken : 6th March 2002 Other Information : The heelpost of the gate is now lowered into position against the steel quoin. |
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Photo
Description : Manoeuvring the gate into the final position Date photo taken : 6th March 2002 Other Information : The gate is almost in place now, There are several people in the chamber here making sure that the gate goes onto the pivot on the floor of the chamber. |
Preparing
the new gates ready for Canal Boats to use.
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Photo
Description : The new lock gates with the balance beams Date photo taken : 22nd March 2002 Other Information : Here are the new lock gates with the lock chamber full of water. The balance beams have been fitted along with the gate paddle control rack & pinion. |
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Photo
Description : Painting the new gates Date photo taken : 28 March 2002 Other Information : Here we see the finishing touches being done, Painting the balance beams in the traditional black and white colours. |
Photo
Description : The Cill on the top lock gates. Date photo taken : 12th April 2002 Other Information : Here we see the top lock gates with the Cill in clear view. When the lock chamber is full, the Cill would be about 4' under water. |
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Photo
Description : The Byweir (bywash) Date photo taken : 12th April 2002 Other Information : This water gully is called a byweir and it's purpose is to regulate the level of the water while the lock gates are closed. Excess water from the upper section of the canal drains off down here into a culvert and emerges below the bottom lock gates. Note the gate paddles and ground paddles can be seen in this photo. |
I wonder how many years it will be until we witness these lock gates being replaced again?
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