Big Ben’s Westminster Chime Quarter Jacks being tested 12-10-2022

[@soundwaveproductions9510]

It is so relieving to see the mechanism working like it did years ago

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

It's a shame that so many of these our clocks are being modernized or even just being replaced with something electronic so many of them are now rewild by electric motors is ridiculous. Once was at some Museum I don't know where it was or even which museum it was my dad was kind of excited Lee calling me over. I did not realize that they had a tower clock mekanism fully operational. This one might have been a later one it was set up to be automatically rewound originally even electrically and instead of having the pole rods or cables are ropes for bells if this would have been triggered electrically on this particular one using some sort of electric Striker mechanism. Almost all the switches on the thing can't remember about the reward motor switches this was as if I remember correctly still weight driven even though electrically-operated. Don't remember the name brand of the motors but I think they may have been a general electric old school This is one of those times I wish that we had smartphones back in the day or at least a video camera we never had a camcorder of our own unfortunately wish we had! Even my folks said it seems like we're always ten years behind everything in our family. And if anyone's ever seen a pretty heavy load on a Mercury switch I could just imagine seeing that thing in the dark with the flashes from the Mercury switches that would be awesome to see if I could have. Sino Mercury delay relays and old school Mercury tilt relays that were basically contactors but design for a service applications such as bell-ringing systems and the like primarily because of lack of contact maintenance and being triggered so many times a year 24/7. Nowadays this would be a dark old but for the times they were very reliable even a motorized relay that was a sequence relay cams and Mercury switches in the step coil. As well relays that just used a small motor to just tilt it not sure why this was used but I do know that was used in connection with some of the old bellring systems years ago I know someone that used to work on the old systems unfortunately never really got up to any Towers it just wasn't feasible it was only like one or two places that even had bills at that point in that town Someone I knew that was out of town when fortunately never worked out to get up to so the bell towers wouldn't loved to do so

[@BritishEngineer]

@@aaronbrandenburg2441The weights for the movement that operates the striking is wound by an electric motor in this clock. The need for electricians for installing the motors or engineers would replace the jobs for winding clocks and the analogy can especially be applied to the gas street lamps that used to be lit manually. I think the other two weights for the chiming and timekeeping movement would be automated in the near future though…

[@ElliottVeares]

@@BritishEngineer Only because winding the strike and chime trains by hand is tediously hard, time consuming and tiring, thus a electric motor was installed to wind these trains. Before that, it took two men 5 hours to wind these trains by hand.

[@G6JPG]

@@BritishEngineer The weights for the chiming and striking trains _are_ electrically raised (since the 1920s I think); they are heavier than the one for the going train. All are wound up three times a week. It's only the raising that's electrified though - the three trains are still weight driven.

[@desysusanti7838]

BUT ACTUALLY TUTUP USIA MUDA

[@phoenixproto3149]

It's like seeing a best friend after a few years, absolutely heartwarming.

[@LockedIn4Life]

Big Ben is everyone’s friend😊

[@Nocturnal39]

​@@LockedIn4LifeExactly, I once had a friend named ben. Ironically enough, he isnt even 5'6" lmao

[@nathanjackson7992]

It is so cool to hear the bells echoing throughout the tower and the bells sound much better after a good cleaning

[@garryx215]

This is such a beautiful mechanism. Is so quiet and unique

[@PinkPanther4958]

It was not like that before the restoration haha. It was very Squeaky and clangy during the chimes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJaqgqSkebesr5I

[@zaxaidil]

QUIET U SAY

[@garryx215]

@@zaxaidil it is, when the bells are not chiming, the only thing you can hear is the ticking of the mechanism

[@thegaminggallimimus4429]

it used to be loud as hell

[@BritishEngineer]

There used to be a huge time delay between the chimes and the striking qwq,

[@dazzfromaus4797]

That's much much better. Every thing sounds nice and smooth. And the bell hammers are alot tighter and the bells sound alot more better, and alot less clangy than they were before restoration.

[@Railfanner121]

I like that you can hear the bells in the background

[@CurtisLittlechild92]

That clunk when it stops is so satisfying.

[@G6JPG]

When that lever falls into the slot at 0:45, that stops the striking; note that the disc with the slots has them at varying intervals, to allow between one and twelve bongs. Presumably if someone jammed that lever up (say, by bridging one of the slots) it would go on striking continuously!

[@daniellaszlo4122]

​@@G6JPG Nice! ✋🏻🗿👌🏻

[@G6JPG]

@@daniellaszlo4122 "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." (First line of "1984".)

[@daniellaszlo4122]

​@@G6JPG How happend the thirteenth strike?

[@G6JPG]

@@daniellaszlo4122 1984 is a fictional book (written in I think the 1930s or '40s) about a dystopian future. I presume the author "George Orwell" (Eric Blair) thought that we'd be on the 24-hour clock by then, and that that would be a bad thing. (I personally would be delighted; I find a. m. and p. m. unnecessarily confusing! Though I wouldn't mind striking clocks staying as they are. But it'd make e. g. TV listings a lot easier!) A striking clock could easily be made to strike up to 24 (or for that matter any) times; it would just need different gearing and a 24-segment rather than 12-segment control wheel, assuming it used a similar mechanism to the one in the Great Clock as shown.

[@dennisbosque4855]

I love the big ben sound..🤣🤣🤣😆

[@bluepearl9075]

He sounds so much healthier now!

[@davidcoker7989]

Absolutely fascinating piece of engineering! Hats of the the Victorians!

[@stephensnell5707]

You mean off

[@davidcoker7989]

Yes I did and also it looks as though I should have added a "to" instead of that extra "the" in the second sentence. I sometimes wonder about myself 😩 😬@@stephensnell5707

[@GrnArrow092]

Amazing to see how different the clock mechanism looks after it's been torn down piece by piece and restored. I was thinking it would look the same after they finished rebuilding the mechanism, but with a fresh coat of paint on the frame. Nevertheless, it's great to see it working again.

[@ag6371]

Restored by the clockmakers at Cumbria Clock Company

[@G6JPG]

I see when this video was made they'd repainted the frame, but _hadn't_ yet picked out the lettering.

[@Elavator66]

wow! they got the original mechanism back up and working!

[@G6JPG]

Apart from a break in the 1970s, the original mechanism has been working since it was installed! And it was only the chimes part that broke then; the clock and the bongs part was mostly undamaged, though the frame was cracked. (Basically the air brake - those big flappy things - for the chiming mechanism broke, so it ran too fast, and the drum holding the cable to the weight broke free and smashed lots.)

[@c-historia]

wonderful video! thanks

[@BellringerBen]

They've even gone and repainted some of the mechanism! Blimey - Its nice to hear the Westminster Chimes and Big Ben from the Elizabeth Tower again.

[@treehouseofcomics]

Elizabeth Died Soo Elizabeth tower is Now Charles tower

[@lloydcollins6337]

It was completely taken to bits, removed from site, and totally restored.

[@StainGaming]

@@treehouseofcomics i would say still elizabeth tower since queen elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch in british history.

[@JaggerHA]

It is the Elizabeth tower as that is what it is named. It is not dependent on the status of the monarch. ​@StainGaming

[@G6JPG]

@@treehouseofcomics It was renamed (from just the clock tower, I think) to the Elizabeth tower in honour of one of her jubilees; it isn't just named after the monarch.

[@paulnewsom4988]

Just Truly Gets Better And Better What Great Craftsmanship

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. Thanks for posting this.

[@PinkPanther4958]

Yay it is back. How did you get permission to go up the tower? Its closed to the public. Edit* I have noticed that the clock sounds a lot quieter and less rattly then it did before the restoration. Sounds and runs like silk. A job well done to the men and women who have been working around the clock literally.

[@tcat2484]

He stole the video from Instagram

[@juansebastianantecontreras5376]

Maybe he is a worker

[@PinkPanther4958]

@@juansebastianantecontreras5376 quite possibly. I have always wanted to book a tour up the tower through my local MP but i am never in London at the right time.

[@lishengliu5866]

Big Ben is back the bong is back

[@4KA4ZK]

This time is about 6:00 A.M or P.M (Because the greater bell strikes 6 times)

[@adamwalpole1180]

He’s back

[@nerfspartanEBF25]

what an absolutely fascinating and beautiful piece of engineering.

[@coryjorgensen622]

Just like what's inside my grandfather clock, but on a much larger scale!

[@ag6371]

*Gravity escapement compared to traditional deadbeat escapement

[@PinkPanther4958]

@@ag6371 Ohh so the three legged escapement is known as the gravity escapement. I see. The clock in our local town hall has a deadbeat (Anchor) and for a long time i have always wondered what the name is for it. Thank you for that.

[@G6JPG]

Just what I've been saying! It does have one bit your grandfather clock doesn't, though, and that's the nest of gears above, that splits the drive (that shaft that goes up at a sloping angle) four ways to the four dials.

[@carwashslayer4235]

I noticed the strike train engages a bit faster now there is no 10 second pauses anymore before the strike of each hour? Interesting

[@jimgahn9188]

7 second pause before the first strike.

[@vanni9283]

Me too!!!

[@StainGaming]

Yes!

[@Peyethon]

They reduced the time till the first strike from 7 to 5 seconds

[@G6JPG]

@@Peyethon So "This … is London" has to leave a shorter pause 🙂 (I fear they may no longer say it; I haven't listened to BBCWS for a while.)

[@lordvadershorts1987]

It’s amazing how they were able to put that mechanism back together because it looks so complex that I can’t even fathom how the whole thing goes together and functions

[@Agent_7yt]

Yeah

[@Paoloblack1]

Maybe it's complex for you who don't understand watchmaking, I who do it as a job find it simple and ingenious, the difference is in the dimensions: a wristwatch is very small, a tower clock is very big, that's all.

[@Agent_7yt]

That was about a month ago '-'

[@Paoloblack1]

@@Agent_7yt Yes, I see that too, but the argument is still valid even in 100 years...😊

[@Agent_7yt]

Okay then???

[@kindnessyet2159]

The heart and voice box of the clock tower. Amazing.

[@carwashslayer4235]

I almost mistook the date for December 10th and that chime is nice to hear once again.

[@jimgahn9188]

October 12th.

[@SylveonMujigaeOfficial]

Europe does its date format differently than in the United States and Canada.

[@G6JPG]

@@SylveonMujigaeOfficial And we say different to or from, not than 🙂 (I'm not saying that's more correct, just different!) [I do think our date format is more logical, though.]

[@jimgahn9188]

First bong was 7 seconds after the full hour chime. 0:22

[@proneczarniecki2833]

Big Ben is like a gigantic grandfather clock only more older and humungous

[@G6JPG]

Not necessarily older; there were grandfather clocks before then. It was unusual for its time in its accuracy, though.

[@user-ye1xk3sb1g]

どんな機構なんだろ ロマンの塊や✨️

[@peterectasy2957]

i am fascinated. this give me clear picture why west civilization is somehow exceptional -)

[@DanTheGamerAndTrains]

Dam Bro I have never heard big ben chime in life before, i've only head it chime on tv such as new years eve and Rememberence Sunday.

[@TheChachLINY]

That’s amazing

[@Fateful_Zac_Offical]

The bells are so satisfying

[@annapg.4626]

This is so much cooler than everything we have today

[@gamingcoleyt]

Big Ben will always be immortal.

[@jerichoadiwarna9473]

Wow how did you manage to get this?? It’ll be great if u have some more videos of the mechanism being tested along with the bells ❤❤❤

[@babyluma4539]

He didnt he stole it from the clock company that did the repairs

[@Tomsonic41]

I understand there are fly fans (not in shot here) that regulate the speed by using air resistance. That is what's making the clicking noise after the mechanism stops each time. But what is the point of those other bars that spin during the chiming and striking sequence? I've not seen those on any other tower clock mechanism.

[@ag6371]

The spinning bars are interlock bars that lock the striking and chiming trains when the longer horizontal release levers that the interlock bars lock into fall into the notches on the count wheels until the 4-faced cams release the levers. The interlock bars lock with the release levers on 0:14 for the chiming train and 0:44 for the striking train

[@Shawn34212]

Is been 178 years I think and still working!!

[@treehouseofcomics]

It's 163 years Old of the Big Ben

[@ZereID-if4ud]

It sounds like big ben had a stroke.😂😂😂😂

[@Mike-sy5zn]

In Canada. Never been to London though I’d love to go. I saw a video once of how this clock worked years ago. Something about coins being placed to provide the correct weight to keep the clock on time. Since the remodel, is this no longer a thing? This mechanism suggest it’s mechanically wound and controlled now.

[@G6JPG]

No, it's still a pendulum clock (two-second tick), and they still add or remove old pennies to the pendulum to adjust it. The three parts are still weight-driven, but at least the chimes and striking mechanisms have electric motors to wind the weights back up when needed. (Not sure about the clock part; that certainly was still manually wound three times a week well after the other parts - see some of the other videos.)

[@nural3480]

The vibes of like britain final boss where king or queen rides on it, all the mechanical stuff out there and steampunk ish

[@SeekPlaysStudios]

@bananablockguy this is what triggered the dragons attention to big ben

[@alexfarrell5533]

a lot quieter than usual

[@t.m.railways]

Are there tours that you can go on that let you up here?? I'd love to see and maybe hear all this!!

[@kevinsims2254]

As I understand it, you need to be a UK citizen and to have lived in the UK for at least six months. Application is made through a local MP and the process takes a few months

[@Chipanddale999]

How does the wheels make the bells ring in the mechanism

[@CammyTheCamera]

this mechanism better stay there. it's been a history

[@ag6371]

0:11 Striking train release cam moves to warn position

[@DungNguyen-lc7it]

Has anyone noticed the 4th note is a little muffled than before?

[@andreia18]

Big Ben Jacks

[@lishengliu5866]

Wow

[@danielmilitello4795]

Big Ben will chime again on Remembrance Day this upcoming Friday, And Remembrance Sunday.

[@treehouseofcomics]

Including new years eve

[@Kazuo1G]

Awwww! This isn't what the Great Mouse Detective had suggested what was inside Elizabeth Tower/Big Ben at all! [/s]

[@andreia18]

Oh Yeah Big Ben I Love Woman in The Big Ben In The Mecanisim

[@Chipanddale999]

I wish to go to London

[@adamcrane3571]

Good morning

[@oscarcasarrubias9416]

Morning

[@G6JPG]

It might be evening - it strikes 6 so could be either!

[@gavinlougheed5248]

I heard the bongs 6 times was this at 6am or 6pm ?

[@ag6371]

06:00 AM (clock dials are lit by daylight from opening on top right)

[@coffeepot3123]

I wonder if they grease it down to keep the gears intact.. like do the cogs need oiling etc?. (Since it's metal on metal contact)

[@stuartburden3968]

@Emmett the clock collector. A turret or church clock is lubricated with whale oil for your information. I have an official book on church clocks that explains how and why. Regards

[@G6JPG]

There's at least one video on here that shows them oiling various parts of it.

[@clock-vn]

very old and beautiful

[@GreenScreenKidsShouldBeStopped]

POV: you came here because of FNAF 4

[@daniellaszlo4122]

For Real? 😲

[@deannamifsud4797]

Why was there chaos? Where is it chaos there as I was there? I will just save what’s going on, and after that, I will say I think the towers tumbling.

[@G6JPG]

I see no chaos: everything's working like clockwork! (The tower _is_ leaning - I think by about 9 inches at the clock level [which is pretty negligible], increasing by about a mm a year; they are monitoring it, and have tubes in the underlying clay they can pump grout into if necessary.)

[@camijs5466]

What part of the Mechanism makes that "Trrrrrrrrr" sound before the first strike?

[@philipthenumber1261]

It's the "fly fan". It how fast the weights fall so the chimes don't play too fast.

[@philipthenumber1261]

I hope that wasn't too confusing. Here's a video of it kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHvLenqNnrKqrck

[@ag6371]

Freewheel/ratchet mechanism of fly fan regulator to prevent reverse rotation and back driving the clock due to air

[@camijs5466]

​@@ag6371What is Back driving?

[@andreia18]

And it Sturck Big Ben

[@toniherraiz3935]

😮😮😮❤❤❤❤❤

[@marvinmartinez2393]

well that time is 6.14 AM doesnt it

[@jimgahn9188]

6 AM.

[@adamcrane3571]

Hello

[@ismailfaruqui59]

Deepest congratulations and salutations to all the people of UK who produced the BIGgest BEN. DR M ISMAIL FARUQUI MA LL B PhD 77years.Lucknow ( INDIA ).

[@lenton_7453]

Show me the chimes

[@EOIO5634]

This is Scared me 0:44

[@THOMLAIWEICHENMoe]

Big Ben falls 12-10-2022

[@tomasbiaggini711]

WAZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA👻👻👻👻

[@Ajch3n1664]

Quite

[@Monglov]

When you call it "quarter jacks" makes me uncomfortable

[@alishamcdonald7316]

0:14

[@andreia18]

🏫

[@deannamifsud4797]

Yes I think it’s going to break or the big gear will just blow up. I don’t know where is the big deal but I never been there like about like maybe a month like a lot of months in and also a year no this is my BVC that’s a rainbow thing, but you can turn into one big planet and a change into Pluto and then it changed into a planet. Pluto is a planet but is it your mouth and we live in on? I’m not I’m not need to. We said that to you because I think you would. I think you’ll in London and what’s your bullet I don’t know what I just said, I don’t know what I just said

[@kansasclocksandsirens]

What

[@stephensnell5707]

You have awful grammar

[@splittieful]

New

[@serendipicamenteserendipic4680]

😂

[@Russia_108]

Are you sure this is Big Ben?

[@Ajch3n1664]

Yea it is

[@ronaldkatigbak3584]

Yes It Got Songs

[@Ajch3n1664]

@@ronaldkatigbak3584do you mean chimes?

[@ronaldkatigbak3584]

Yes

[@FtwentytwoRaptor]

build a boat builds be like:

[@christianshubham3430]

Big Ben doesn't run on electricity! Howwwwwwwwww?

[@Ajch3n1664]

No

[@G6JPG]

It has electric motors to wind up the weights for the chiming and striking mechanisms when they need so winding. The main clock mechanism, certainly until recently had its weight manually wound up three days a week - see other videos about it; I don't know if it still does in 2024.

[@CheskaCarlos-gh2yz]

Qb & bb

[@serendipicamenteserendipic4680]

westminster chimes🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤