Since
its establishment in 2002, the Falkirk Wheel has become a tourist attraction,
located near Falkirk in Central Scotland. It connects Forth & Clyde Canal and Union Canal and provides a corridor for regenerative activity via
central Scotland. The concepts of wheels were existing long back, but it could
be used for making Falkirk Wheel only in 1994.
Dundee Architects and The
Nicoll Russel Studios gave a Ferris Wheel type design, which was used in
another a project -Millennium Link. The boat enters the Roughcastle tunnel to the Union Canal.
The upper gondola is brought down with
water in which they float in, to the lower basin. Simultaneously, an equal weight rises up, lifted up in
another gondola. The gondolas run on small
wheels which fit on a single curved rail on the inner edge of the opening on
the arm of boat.
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The setup
is sufficient to ensure that they are always horizontal, but if any friction or
sudden movement is there then the gondola may stick or tilt. To ensure that it never
happens and that the water and boats always remain on a perfect level throughout
the whole cycle, a series of linked cogs are put which acts as a backup. At every
end there are two cogs with diameter 8 meter to which one end of each gondola
is attached.
The
Falkirk wheel is closed down for about three weeks every year for essential
maintenance routines over major components, like pumps and valves. During
shutdown, engineers thoroughly examine the wheel and inspect the structure and
make all necessary improvements. It is a definitely a wonderful place
to visit. It is something like a dream spot, everything is huge and
majestic, but not to forget, it’s all scientific.