Thames Locks - Public Power?

[DT42]

Hi,

Can anybody tell me if the public power is on 24 hours?

I know years ago it would be off overnight, I seem to recall this changing at some point.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rosssavage]

24 hour now.

Assuming it's working...

 

[Chill]

went downstream the other day and both Temple and Marlow were on self service, annoyingly the gates and sluices were both closed with the lock full of water. even though the lock was full the gates would not open until the sluices went through their timed opening procedure. Grrrr Temple doesn't take too long but Marlow takes ages....

 

[Chris_d]

went downstream the other day and both Temple and Marlow were on self service, annoyingly the gates and sluices were both closed with the lock full of water. even though the lock was full the gates would not open until the sluices went through their timed opening procedure. Grrrr Temple doesn't take too long but Marlow takes ages....

Have had that at Culham too, 20 minute sequence. Have arrived there and someone else is waiting and has assumed the lock must be broken as its taking so long so press some buttons again which adds another 20 minutes! You got through quicker before by hand winding.
So beware don't touch the buttons.

 

[boatone]

Get used to it, its as good as its going to get until theres a major shift in funding/management.

Automated systems work to a pre-programmed sequence. A lot of the problems are caused by peeps not reading the pedestal instructions carefully enough. Its not perfect but we'd be in a right mess without the out of hours power - or would you rather go back to hand wind? Sorry, thats not possible anyway now.

 

[DT42]

Thanks for the replies, I 'hand wound' Marlow once and vowed I'd never do that again. Need to pass Hambledon, Hurley & Temple early on Thursday so just checking.

 

[ianc1200]

Tony

The point is (often stated on here, particularly by True Blue) is the signs which say "leave lock empty and gates closed" should say "leave lock empty, gates closed, and bottom paddles raised - ie do not shut when lock has emptied" This would get over the lock filling by 1", and then having to fill the lock, empty the lock, to get the bottom gates open. It would also save a lock full of water, and we must fast be approaching the time - hosepipe bans etc - when this is a consideration.

 

[boatone]

The point is (often stated on here, particularly by True Blue) is the signs which say "leave lock empty and gates closed" should say "leave lock empty, gates closed, and bottom paddles raised - ie do not shut when lock has emptied" This would get over the lock filling by 1", and then having to fill the lock, empty the lock, to get the bottom gates open. It would also save a lock full of water, and we must fast be approaching the time - hosepipe bans etc - when this is a consideration.

I am happy to agree that the systems are not perfect and I am trying to collate information that could result in a clear guidance document that would cover all the different procedures - there are at least three, possibly four, different 'systems' across the network and the procedure is not identical at all locks.
However, I doubt that the existence of such guidance would have any real effect on the fundamental problem.

 

[Actionmat]

Thanks for the replies, I 'hand wound' Marlow once and vowed I'd never do that again. Need to pass Hambledon, Hurley & Temple early on Thursday so just checking.

Me too. It was early January and to be honest, I didn't mind as all the exercise warmed me up on a freezing cold morning. But like you, I wouldn't do it again!

 

[Alan ashore]

TBH I never minded hand-winding early in the morning in the days when you knew that you would not be self-serving "all day". Hard work but you were not at the mercy of the electronics. Wouldn't have been much fun on Sunday when I came down from Windsor during the day. Only 2 locks manned, plus Tedders of course.

 

[ianc1200]

Hand winding had it's problems as well. When Brian Webb ran Hurley lock his regulars sometimes could use the power. However when he retired/or he hadn't left the power on the upper gate on Freebody's side was a real pain to open by hand, it was a hydraulic issue which I recall they had several goes to put right. Hand winding Mapledurham, and particularly emptying again, was a right pain.

 

[Phill]

Back in the eighties, we used to take our guests out from Bray to Cliveden for the day. They had sunshine, good food and lots of alcohol. It always amazed me how quickly they sobered up after winding Boulters and Bray locks! To avoid lock queues, we often came back late and wound them, but not sure I'd be fit enough to do it now.
I'm very fond of the new electric system, mainly because the rush (race) just before closing time seems to have disappeared.

 

[prof pat pending]

This newfangled hydraulics is to blame.
The hand operated locks above Oxford are a pleasure to use

 

[Flynnbarr]

As a nipper I was always the unpaid labor.....being told by the grown ups to make yourself useful and hand wind was a regular occurrence...Sandford lock seemed very big to me at that age

 

[Alan ashore]

When I was a nipper they were ALL manual. Beautiful, simple technology. Ahh, progress!

 

[ianc1200]

If I was in charge I'd have them reinstated ASAP!