268. Replacing canal lock gates using a boat crane

Every year, the Canal & River Trust replace a load of worn-out lock gates across the 200+ year-old canals of England and Wales. But how do you lift a 4-tonne chunk of wood out of its bindings, on a waterway, often with limited room to manoeuvre? With a crane on a boat, that's how...
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How lock gates are made: • 131. How canal lock ga...
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[@SecretSquirrelFun]

“One at arse end, one at head” Love him 🙂

[@paul.oregan]

As a Yorkshireman living in Cheshire hearing the phase ‘arse end’ in that accent made me pine for the fjords.

[@Demun1649]

I thought I had misheard "Aft-end". And I corrected him to "Stern"

[@edwardsteele4022]

I was concerned when you changed the format of your videos but I'm pleased to say I think they're absolutely brilliant keep up.the good work

[@Reijack]

I think the most gratifying part of this whole process is the amount of Yorkshireness on display

[@leswallace2426]

'one at arse end....' love it! Another priceless DJ video.

[@ethanhayes9989]

I thoroughly enjoy the fact the CRT fella called it the arse end.

[@B26768]

Once again a beautifully produced and presented video with information that folks with brains and curiosity will enjoy. Loved the traipsing up and down the canals but this type of content is wonderful. Does the Canal and River Trust or any other source have presentations about how the locks were originally built? Given the era in which the canals were first created they were engineering marvels. Thank you again for the new and engaging content.

[@TheCarpentersDaughterUK]

Was great to finally see the vole and fascinating to watch the whole process. Hopefully we'll get to use it properly soon and very happy the gate opening shot was worth catching 😅

[@timexplorer9708]

How do you use a vole properly?

[@kathyjohnson2043]

Thanks for the good footage of the final product.

[@ncplantdoctor]

A massive amount of talent and work to build those gates to fit and then to install them. Good for the grumblers who criticize the CRT to see how it all works.

[@paulhoughton5266]

Would be interesting to see a comparison film on how they installed lock gates when the canal was originally built. Keep up the good work David, I always enjoy all your films

[@lancecluster]

Nice video, A lot of effort and visits went into getting the complete process covered. Thank you.

[@simonsallen]

Provided with a cheese sandwich I watched is awe as the old gates were removed and the new ones installed. Thanks David for making this video flows so well. It must have taken days to film and hours to edit. Your videos are very much appreciated.

[@theonlywoody2shoes]

1:15 “Two tugs have assisted her, one at ARSE END and one at head”. Great nautical terms - crackin’ Great video as always 👍

[@Smythers00]

3:12 - "Lowlife Scrote"! I now have to binge-watch every episode of Porridge.

[@bexxy629]

As someone from the Barnsley, South Yorkshire area of the UK love to hear the accent always makes me happy for some reason, like being back in tarn. Don't really hear it a lot of KZbin or tv these days.

[@jacksomb1]

"Bang-on plumb"...

[@canbonly1970]

Yeah, it’s almost like he is speaking English.

[@hans2406]

As a Dutchman I can say I love the accent, music to my ears.

[@judithmatthews8460]

I’m in Christchurch New Zealand and hearing it, is music to my ears. I’ve been here for 23 years and the accent is still in place but somewhat mellowed. When I visit home it’s back in all its glory and when I get back to NZ they all laugh.

[@leer798]

Especially when he said at the arse end 😂😂

[@paulherbst752]

David, as much as I always enjoyed your cruising videos, this new educational and informative direction in which you have taken your vlogs is wonderful. The Canal Trust is doing fantastic work.

[@philgray1023]

Great stuff. I felt quite disappointed to hear the music come on because the end had arrived already. Thanks for the video David.

[@christopherwhite1648]

I loved watching this. What I really enjoyed was hearing the workers speaking with their North Country accents. Having been married to a Yorkshire Lass from Hull several years ago, I still have a soft spot in my heart for anything from that part of England. I enjoyed visiting all parts of Yorkshire much more than the South of England though each County has its own charm. I am going to watch it again but enjoy a Bacon butty while I do it.

[@caz-nbgalatea1528]

As much as I loved your cruising vlogs I’m loving all this behind the scenes vlogs. Very interesting. Hope there’s many more to come! 👍👍

[@judithmatthews8460]

Glad to see that in the days of new technology there’s still a place for hitting it with a big hammer!

[@soggybottom3463]

Couple of proper chaps running that show. The sort the current education system denies are needed or wanted. But without them...I don't think we really want to find out what life is like without them....

[@maxflight777]

Well said

[@sandy1653]

Hooray more of my favorite sort of videos: the behind the scenes, how it works video. In honesty, it's knowledge I'll probably never have much use for but the learning is fun anyway.

[@UniqueNick]

Thank you for captioning your videos. I always enjoy your content but I’m deaf as a door sometimes and don’t like to blast my vids across the house.

[@rosssharp9988]

".....one at arse end....'' Ahh! To be back in Yorkshire! Well, actually, in a few months time, I'll once again be living about 9 miles from this lock. So glad that the delightful specimen of Arvicola amphibius came to no harm. Another lovely canal-based adventure. Thank you!

[@rkelsey3341]

That was so thick, we almost needed subtitles to follow what he was saying!

[@andynightingale7335]

Get yer sen back lad, thal not regret it pal.

[@andynightingale7335]

Lovely South Yorkshire/Sheffield saying by John at 1.15 which some overseas viewers may have missed "One t'arse end, one at head, .." Meaning one at the front of the boat and one at the rear.. 🙂

[@scottboye6796]

I daresay I'm enjoying these "technical" videos as much, or more, than your cruising videos. Thanks so much!

[@RandallBay]

I know they are better informed than eye. But I’m a curious kinda guy. Thanks for you response and thanks for your documentation of life on the canals!

[@del5.0]

Absolutely fantastic video, great drone shots. I love the ambient audio along with the voice-over, well done. Also really like that are doing so much restoration on the canals, lots of hard work. Thanks, David. P.S. You looked right at home in a hard hat.

[@nilo70]

I felt like a kid watching the workmen . Very interesting !

[@paulmurphy5648]

I miss your "regular day to day" vlogs but I do find these very interesting. Hope to see many more like this. Also enjoying your Vandemonium vlog site...

[@horstszibulski19]

One of the few times I had to turn on the subs for the supervisor's accent to understand... 😂 Thx for the vid, really interesting! 👍

[@kathyjohnson2043]

I was quite proud of myself for understanding it all even though I'm a USA Hoosier. (You might have to google that denotation).

[@chrishibbard6488]

Great vlog David. Your new role documenting work on the canals is brilliant. . Keep up the good work !!

[@SamSitar]

he is also easy to follow.

[@nolantaylor1760]

Thank you for interesting content, yet again. One does not consider the trials and tribulations of such artisans on any given day. Skilfully executed to achieve a very satisfactory result. A big shout out to the CRT men and women for their work.

[@am2schmarvelous]

I love that the gate needs a bit of wear and tear to be water tight. Being of an age where my wear and tear is showing. It's nice analogy to think the wear just makes me more useful.

[@JohnBCN]

Thanks for a very informative vlog. I learned a lot, especially the Yorkshire for _stern_

[@tgreyfox]

I caught that too - useful vocabulary lesson!

[@andyrbush]

Quite possibly they toned down the language for us too.

[@peterfrazer1943]

I agree with one of the comments, you have a good speaking voice and for an old man like myself who is a bit deaf, I can understand you perfectly. The new gates will leak until they "Take up". When we used to lift the wooden Potting Boats " Cobles" out of the Water for repair, if they were going to be out for a while, the Owners would put water inside to stop the hull shrinking. Some times when they went back in the water they hung them off the Crane for a while to let the Hull swell. Every job has its little nuances doesn't it. Excellent video, thank you.

[@dorsettyke]

Crackin' South Yorkshire accents from the two Site Supervisors. 🙂 "Arse end"! 😁

[@paulhaynes8045]

I thought I'd misheard that!

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Ah, beautiful Yorkshire accents. A cultural treat!

[@harveypaterson15]

Yet another great video for yourself David. I'm must remember to call the back of my boat " The Arse End" instead of the stern. 🤣

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yes, that made me chuckle too

[@donfink7063]

Just face it, the bloke who said that was a genuine British worker. It was refreshing to hear and I for one was pleased that it wasn't bleeped out.😄

[@eamo106]

As an ex South Yorkshire miner, well done in translation, That war reet gud Marra !

[@markross4730]

I love that you've kept the canal videos up even though you don't own a boat any more. Loved the video and look forward to more in the future.

[@NeverlandSystemZor]

I am so glad you're doing these deeper dives into the canal system. I thought I'd miss your cruising so much more than I am- I am learning many times more than I did on those... AND I can always drop back and catch a cruise from some chill-out zen time. Thanks for your wonderful work and for sharing this living history with us! Keep up the great work!

[@stewartturner814]

Thump o matic 3000 made me smile 😃 I think that water vole was just having an inspection of the work 👍😊

[@bennysh]

Lots of "how to" videos on youtube, this is probably the first about "making a canal lock" :) I just need to get myself a thump-o-matic 3000!

[@andrewstrathdee1469]

I loved the interviews with the supervisors - They sound like the "Fred Dibnahs" of the Canal Network! I bet Fred would have loved this.

[@rickkearn7100]

Gosh, for so many countless people who care (and for posterity) it's so fortunate that you, sir, have taken it upon yourself to document this entire world of canal life, in all its bits and minutiae. A great deed you're doing David! My great-grandchildren will be thankful along with the rest of us, I'm quite sure of it. Cheers.

[@ronferguson4379]

Well done. These behind the scene insights into cruising complement the cruising on canals. Keep producing these interesting videos. I don't know if it is possible but I 'd love to see interviews with people whose houses back onto canals if they have any interesting stories or canal tales.

[@MissScrappy]

Thank you Great Britain for the Industrial Revolution!! Seeing these marvels of invention impress me no end.

[@WillN2Go1]

Just amazing how fascinating all this always winds up being. I've watched this twice now. The pots and pins - finally made sense when I turned on the closed caption. That's an amazing topic. Why did they go from pots on the bottom to pins? I immediately thought of sediment falling into the pots on the bottom - but what do I know? Another video please! Advanced lock engineering and theory.

[@raypitts4880]

often the pin wears out of round so insert a pot pack the front, thats worn in side the pot, to make the pot central on the pin job done

[@42034EMTHawk]

The big pumps are impressive. I'm a fireman, and we can move a lot of water with our truck-mounted pumps, and 4" or 6" Large Diameter Hose. Those are 12" pipes.

[@tjharrop]

I’m from the north, and basically everyone I knew growing up was also from the north, and that is STILL without a doubt the most northern person I’ve ever seen

[@johnfowke1366]

I really appreciate you doing this. I find it so interesting. Hello from Nova Scotia, Canada

[@WeddingVegetables]

Very interesting video! And a supervisor named License feels very Pratchett-y to me. :) I saw some people below were having opinions about your narration, so here's mine: It's one of the reasons I'm subscribed. You have an excellent voice for making broadcasts and your jokes never fail to amuse me.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Ah, thank you, I do appreciate that. Cheers 👍

[@cbwilson2398]

You are a craftsman when it comes to titles for your videos!

[@kathyjohnson2043]

Ever since day one! I keep thinking every title can't be as good as the rest, but they all are great and so refreshing in comparison to most KZbin titles.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Hello from Detroit Michigan USA brother great video thank you for taking us on your adventure

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for watching

[@malcolm4672]

From a country without canals or locks (New Zealand), David your patter is tremendous, you could make eating a biscuit interesting.

[@LewisStockton]

My local canal there. I live just around the corner. It's It's impressive sight to see the work

[@esiebert7625]

Now they need an app on your phone so you can open and close without getting off the boat 😎

[@waterboy8999]

I don't think the public will be allowed to open those bad boys, it'll be canal staff I reckon when they open the bridge.

[@glenkelley6048]

God Bless the English, and whatever language it is that they speak!

[@CruisingTheCut]

English

[@haiironezumi]

@@CruisingTheCut That wasn't English, it was missing way too many articles.

[@jasonterry5512]

This is cool man. I really appreciate the veiw and the education on how each part of the lock works. David keep being you man and thanks.

[@nickes6168]

Thank you kind sir, and happy to see so much canal content. I wish you a wonderful day and a cheese sandwich.

[@shirleylynch7529]

What an interesting documentary. You explained everything with such detail. Brilliant vlog. Thank you for showing this amazing masterpiece

[@danieltaylor5231]

And it was here where David began to collect the wood for his cottage.

[@davidmoss6271]

Found that video very interesting to watch! Its interesting to learn the change in terminology for different tools from over here in the U.S.! The 'thumper was original! Keep up the great work on the videos! Thank You!

[@DockBev]

Extremely interesting. Being a son of a Gambill/Gamble-Holloway union , both with English heritage, with SAW-MILLERS on one side and HEAVY CONSTRUCTION on the Gambill/Gamble side. SPOT ON. Enjoyed it !

[@oceana9294]

Never thought I'd enjoy watching a video about lock gates being installed. The attraction must be the ability of the presenter to keep us fascinated with all his work. And, to an American, it's interesting to hear the workmen's different accents too.

[@junco477]

Gave me quite the start when you increased the speed. Worried the whole thing was going to come crashing down. Great vid.

[@sidneybowerman558]

It takes a very special kind of person to gain access to all of the subjects that you do David. Integrity and honesty must be high on the list, along with a history of producing great videos. As for the 'arse' comment.....I worked in a huge foundry that made castings for steam turbines that were used for electricity generation. One casting weighing several tons did indeed resemble a very large arse. The sex of which was never really established.

[@Suho1004]

This is a great follow-up to that earlier documentary on how gates are made. I feel like we've finally heard the last chapter of this story. Unless of course they do something interesting with old gates other than just recycle them.

[@philippankhurst6680]

A great tribute to the incredibly skilled CRT guys, who keep the system going while making it all look so simple and matter of fact.

[@wdhewson]

My favourite pastime. Watching other people work !!

[@jamestamis9207]

like you. I love WATCHING hard work. 😀

[@tweaker1968]

Awesome video as usual.... It does make you wonder how they did all that at 150 years ago... Keep up the good work!

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Steam crane (1922); sheerlegs 1822, sheerlegs 1722.....

[@harrypenn611]

Fantastic as normal David , if it's not nailed down it will be stolen , especially copper ! Love the fact you went back to get the finished shots

[@ronnronn55]

Water vole was looking for the magic ring it dropped earlier :)

[@skippyscage]

10/10 for the casual dropping in of "arse end" and "scrote" -- makes me homesick for the motherland...

[@lockedin60]

It is a grand design. Amazing that this whole system and it's maintenance and repair know-how is passed from one generation to the next and for the most part volunteers. That requires a lot of love for all things Canal.

[@janeabbotts]

I found that very interesting, thank you. Cheers.

[@10p6]

Nice. David will be covering the replacement of every lock on the network to keep himself busy, lol.

[@jcderby129]

another cracking, interesting, video

[@lauramccann9959]

Nice presentation and well very interesting, thank you.

[@robertoler3795]

you are back in the grove...nice video

[@bofustjohnson]

you Brits fix everything...you preserve a little of everything...you always surprise me. real nice video, as always...thank you. health and happiness to you. PS : I always learn something. excellent content, well produced

[@michaelshore2300]

My brother in law made lock gates in Burnley in the 60s Interesting His tools were taken away at cease work and returned sharpened for start next day.

[@deconteesawyer5758]

You've never heard of the tool faeries taking your tools in the night ? They not only take your tools , but if you have heavy copper cable laying about, they will take that too.

[@Cydonius1]

Very interesting, always nice to see some of the canals behind the scenes work

[@thoughtsonfitness3249]

David, there are a lot of boating ‘KZbinrs’ quitting the life ( which I personally don’t get? )…. That being said, I’d like to thank you for continuing your journey from the point of view of the canal system, the people who maintain them and the boaters traveling them! Basically, you have taken it to the next level but you have taken it to that level as if your still, ‘cruising the cut’… thanks David, you channel is simply the best. long may it continue. I work in engineering myself, these guys are doing an incredibly safe and productive job!

[@altowatts1325]

Powered Lock Gates? I think they're trying to lure you back onto the canals Captain ⛵😂. I hope you're well. Stay safe and enjoy your day 👍🏾.

[@andrewpoloni4197]

Great video as always! Just curious as to when is the CRT going to offer you a proper job for doing all this good media work for them? 😀

[@minb1217]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting this. I wish there’d been powered gates back in the days when I was playing on the canal!

[@hollythebo]

Amazing to see that plucky water vole.

[@BruceBoschek]

"Tree trunks of wood," eh? Love it. Thanks very much for sharing this. It was fascinating.

[@rheffner3]

Very interesting. I am always surprised by the canal network and the dedicated people that keep it going.

[@oldschoolmachinist1938]

I found this video very interesting and educational, thank you for sharing this video. From what I understand some of these canals are a couple 100 years old, and I would love to have been around back then to see how they did all this work without the machines and technology that is available now. Stay safe and looking forward to more of your videos from the United States 🇺🇸.

[@alexoest]

It must have been dangerous work back then.

[@Bjornontour]

Marvellous accent by the site supervisor John Cottam!!

[@Onemattressatatime]

We know it’s going to be a great video when you’re wearing a reflective safety vest .

[@v1rotait23]

I enjoyed this video David! Thanks from an engineering type person who lives a long way south and around the other side in NZL where there are NO canals sadly, David

[@neilbolger2679]

Brilliant Job . Quite informative as I enjoyed this. I can't help but imagine that Fred Dibnah being on a job like this . Canals were for their time , great engineering

[@geoffcampbell7846]

Great vlog. thanks. I love old engineering and architecture and the canals just keep on giving. Top marks for the filming 👋

[@m.r.659]

Super, hyper, marvelous production from You sir. Thank You for staying true to Your word and making videos about everything what is connected to the canal life. Greetings from York and all the best.

[@markattardo]

Very interesting to see. Thanks for persisting to get enough the various stages on video..and to Vikki Lee for the last bit.

[@LisaMarli]

Oh buttons. That is lovely. May the locks live a wonderful long time.

[@andrewlee109]

Fascinating to see new lock gates put in. Another thoroughly enjoyable vlog thank you and keep up the great work 👍