WATCH OUR VIDEO OF THE CANAL LOCK IN ACTION https://youtu.be/LSA9NFH-Wi4
Canal scenes feature on many layouts, but when locks are included, they are usually modelled fixed in a particular state of operation. Wouldn't it be good to have a canal boat enter an empty lock, see the gates close, the lock fill and the boat emerge at the top? Maybe then reverse the process for the journey down? Better yet, the paddles that control the flow of water in and out of the lock chamber could be seen to move at the right times. I've never seen this done before – here is my attempt.
First step, as always, is choosing a suitable prototype. Depending on canal location and date, locks may be broad or narrow. Broad locks are about 14ft wide, able to accommodate a barge or two narrowboats, and range from about 57ft up to 70ft, or more, in length. Narrow locks are more uniform, being typically 7ft wide and 70–72ft long. The change in height can range from a few inches to 19ft, with 6–7ft being fairly typical. Broad locks would allow more room for the mechanisms, but I love the look of narrow locks, so this was my choice.
The design of narrow locks varies by canal company, but individual locks can still displayand placed on the gates at the lower end, but virtually any permutation is possible, including both gate and ground paddles, especially at the top end. Fortunately, we still have a vibrant canal network using historic equipment, so prototype material abounds!
