Lock 44 - Big Chute Marine Railway
Big Chute Marine Railway is at Lock 44 of the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.
It carries boats over an inclined plane between the Severn River and Gloucester Pool.
It is the only active marine railway (or canal inclined plane) of its kind in North America.
This Virtual Reward Cache can be experienced at any time of year.
To fully experience this awesome marine railway, schedule your visit during the boating season.
The magic of this area is not limited to the marine railway - the surrounding area is spectacular.
History
In 1914, plans were made to build locks at Port Severn, Big Chute and Swift Rapids.
The locks at Port Severn were the closest to completion at the outbreak of World War I.
A temporary lock was built at Port Severn (Lock 45) - it remains in use today!
The plans to build locks at Big Chute and Swift Rapids were put on hold due to the war effort.
Cheaper marine railways were instead built at Big Chute (1917) and Swift Rapids (1919).
In 1921, plans were once again underway to locks at Big Chute.
Post-war economic restrictions once again put this project on the back burner.
Evidence of dam construction can still be found in nearby wooded areas today.
In 1923, the marine railway and carriage at Big Chute were replaced to handle larger vessels.
Then in 1964, the marine railway at Swift Rapids was replaced with a single conventional lock.
Plans were drawn up again to also replace the marine railway at Big Chute with conventional lock.
In the 1960s, the sea lamprey was devastating the fishing industry in the Great Lakes.
A biologist stationed at the bottom of the railway noticed a sea lamprey attached to the hull of a boat.
After a few metres of travel up towards the Severn River, the sea lamprey was seen to fall off the boat.
It was evident that a marine railway would impede further migration of the sea lamprey.
Plans for a lock were halted; it was decided a larger marine railway would be built instead.
The approach would address both the sea lamprey and increased vessel capacity issues.
The current marine railway and carriage were opened to the public in 1978, at a cost of $3 million.
The older marine railway and carriage were still used as a backup until 2003; it is still on display today.
(The signage nearby predates the older railway retirement; it incorrectly states it is still in active use).
Periodically, the railway is out of service for repair - at some point, the carriage may even be replaced.
No matter the shape or size of the carriage or marine railway... there will always be a Big Chute.
Visiting The Site
Big Chute is a 10 minute drive from Highway 400.
There is no charge or access fee to visit and walk around.
Parking is free -- there are also tables and picnic areas available during the tourist season.
There are signs and plaques giving lots of information on the site and its history.
A boardwalk runs the length of the railway, giving an amazing view of Gloucester Pool and beyond.
Marine Railway Operation
Vessels are floated into the carriage, which can handle approximately a 90 tonne load.
Webbing slings are used to prevent tipping as vessels rest on the bottom of the carriage.
Four electric motors provide traction by cable, which hauls the carriage along the track.
The front and rear wheels of the carriage are on different tracks, keeping the carriage level.
Toward the end of transit, the carriage dips into the water, allowing departure of the carried vessels.
Each transit of the marine railway takes approximately 15 minutes.
Logging Requirements - Part 1 of 2 - Photo
As proof of your visit, a qualifying photo is needs to be uploaded with your Found log.
You have two options to choose from -- either :
- A photo must be taken from the elevated Observation Deck (shown in photo above)
- The marine railway carriage must be identifiable in the photo
or...
- A photo must be taken from approx. N 44 53.074, W 79 40.449 looking towards the building
- The marine railway carriage and the word HEPBURN must be identifiable in the photo
- Proof of your visit (which does not have to include your face) must also be in either photo - this can be achieved by:
Holding a piece of paper/item with your caching name visible
or
Including a thumbs up in the qualifying photo
If you choose to identify yourself in the qualifying photo, it will be accepted.
Click here for examples of photos taken from the posted coordinates.
Logging Requirements - Part 2 of 2 - Questions To Be Answered!
Waypoint Q1 @ N 44° 53.075' W 79° 40.476' (same as posted coordinates at lower elevation)
Q1 = How many steps from the road to the first set of rollers?
Waypoint Q2 @ N 44° 53.062' W 79° 40.479'
The carriage moves during the boating season; the railway itself can be visited year round.
Q2 = How many pairs of rubber rollers are visible in the centre of the railway path?
Waypoint Q3 = N 44° 53.113' W 79° 40.530'
The old marine railway carriage is located nearby.
Q3 = How many teeth are there on a large cog/sprocket?
Send the answers to the questions above to the cache owner.
Log your find after answering and be sure to include your qualifying photo with your log.
If issues arise with your photo or answers, you will be contacted.
Note: Spoilers or logs without qualifying photos will be deleted!
Note from cache owner
My first visit to Big Chute was in 1988, while on holiday from the UK.
A few years later, I found myself living and working nearby.
This is a gorgeous location that I return to frequently, to reflect and reminisce.
I hope you enjoy your visit - thank you for stopping by.
RCA777
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24 2017 and August 24 2018.
Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache.
Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.
