Kevsmith is off to an electrifying start ZosoRailway is running out of track Hardcoaler enjoyed some Chips Ahoy Kurt Moose got blue flagged HemiAdda2d found the Land that Time Forgot Sepp K waving the flag Badlandnp reminiscing about his 40’s LegomanBill being nosey again rye got gated in r_i_straw saying bye to an old friend
Another real variety of photos from all of you. Can someone explain the machinery in the second photo? You guys keep me entertained every week.
I would guess that is part of the machinery used to raise and lower the apron connecting the mainline tracks with rail car barges or floats on a tidal estuary. When the tide goes up and down, the tracks have to match the height of the rails on the car-float.
Cool photos and hilarious captions! The Land that Time Forgot... that caption and photo really gave me goosebumps. The setting of the photo could have been 100 years ago - make it B&W and one would be hard pressed to guess when it was. Unless Hemi has a flux capacitor in his car...
The equipment is a little different on the great lakes, where tides aren't part of the equation. The counterweights and the levers that suspend the apron are readily visible in these photos taken at Mackinaw City, MI on the lower penninsula side of the staits of Mackinac. There were several similar slips at various places on the great lakes. (20+) Great Lakes Shipping History | All that remains of the railroad carferry slip in Mackinaw City | Facebook Open Barges were used at Port Huron, MI /Sarnia, Ont. and Detroit/Winsor, Ont. michiganrailroads.com - Port Huron, MI - C&O Car Ferry Operations ♦ Carferries that operated on Lake Michigan were a different type of vessel: Lake Michigan Carferry History (carferries.com) A trip on the Badger is still on my bucket list.
That is indeed to raise or lower the barge apron. That piece needs to be adjusted to clear the incoming/outgoing barge, according to the tides. This type of equipment is large in appearance, as it must support a lot of weight. It is very common and used to this day. If you drive to your north, and take any Washington State (vehicle) ferry, you will find it at every dock.
I think I recall reading that an extra complication in the operation is to keep the barge/ferry somewhat balanced as the cars are removed from it.
Yes! Very important to keep it balanced! I've watched them load the Alaska Marine Lines barge to Whittier from here in Seattle-they are very cautious with the way they load, usually from the inside , then back and forth on both sides.
