The Abandoned Monster Vehicle of Fonseranes

In 1984, France unveiled a revolutionary new vehicle, a giant beast designed to push canalboats up a 400m-long water slope, thus avoiding the time-consuming use of traditional canal locks. Did it work? No.
Footage of it working (briefly) in 1990: • The Waterslope at Fons...
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IMAGE CREDITS
Béziers rugby match - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Fonseranes diagram - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Montech machine - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

[@fiddley]

"It lubricated the slope and it all went downhill very quickly after that". I am creasing at that! Well played!

[@Godwinsname]

I saw it coming, was satisfying that it came :D

[@TheMajkla]

That sound of drum which followed:)

[@SandiskCruzer]

@@TheMajkla I heard the pun coming, thought: "really? bravo, badum-tsss" and then the drumroll actually came. If not for the fact that it's past 11 in the evening when I was watching, I would have really burst out lauging. Instead, I managed to contain it to a more quiet snicker. Still had to rewind a bit after that, as I didn't pay attention to what Tim was talking about next.

[@rolfs2165]

My thought at that was: why did he use rubber wheels on concrete, instead of cogs on a toothed rack? That would definitely have avoided any slippage.

[@laurencefraser]

@@rolfs2165 noise, maybe? Depends how close it is to anyone who cares. Probably cheaper to replace tires rather than cogwheels too. Certainly concrete is cheaper than toothed steel rail...

[@mrtnsnp]

"Civil Overengineering", that's one to remember.

[@oalsaker]

if it's worth engineering, it's worth overengineering...

[@jimtaylor294]

A bit like "By Accidental Design".

[@57thorns]

It is the French Way.

[@garyhood4153]

Civil engineers know how to build an inclined plane. This is clearly the fault of a mechanical engineer, or someone who wanted to be one.

[@joehoe222]

There is no such thing as 'overengineering'. There are only issues that can be enhanced or fixed.

[@kzonedd7718]

Today's 'Hellooo' was well-timed, sorely needed, tri-lingual, and only slightly over-engineered.

[@iosephinaausten9191]

The multiple Gerry Anderson references make very happy

[@asimplesolution5351]

who

[@jimtaylor294]

@@asimplesolution5351 The British guy Michael Bay got the "Made of Explodium!" concept from XD.

[@MsGrandunion]

@@asimplesolution5351 Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. You didn't recognise the music? Not the Rosie and Jim theme, but the music as the slide was in operation was the Thunderbirds theme and there was a quick reference to Captain Scarlet too!

[@terw_dan2125]

@@MsGrandunion As well as the music from Stingray

[@cesariojpn]

@@MsGrandunion You also forgot Terrahawks.

[@westrim]

2:50 "You're going to need locks." *calls Lockpicking Lawyer*

[@keithphilbin3054]

We need a bigger lock..

[@LadyAnuB]

We need this! An LPL video that's not 1:24 long.

[@MyMarsham]

Would he use a wiper insert, or the lock system he and Bosnian Bill made?

[@offwithhishead2556]

Superb entertainment, Tim. I assume "more or less navigable" equates to alot of Gallic swearing whilst beached on a mudflat.

[@ZGryphon]

Fun fact: That kind of thing is why paddle-wheel river steamers were so slow to go out of fashion in the United States. In a pinch, they could "walk" over sandbars and suchlike shallow obstacles, which screw-driven boats can't do.

[@sandcastle1128]

The new intro is a surprising but welcome feature

[@mastertrams]

You can tell Tim was bored over lockdown!

[@usmub]

Came here to say this. So I second this motion.

[@sandcastle1128]

@@mastertrams aren't we all?

[@mastertrams]

@@sandcastle1128 Not necessarily. I admit we're all more bored than we would be, but that doesn't mean we can't find other forms of entertainment.

[@peteranderson037]

Ah, Béziers! The city known for its curves.

[@Astfgl]

Well played sir. Have a thumbs up.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

and its relations , the Bernstein Bears, that drive around the town in their very bezier-ie Renaults. Yeah, I knew it was a stretch.

[@tonyzed6831]

Nice!

[@Somefox]

"There was no-one around to shout at me." The story of urban exploration.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

It is always easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission...😉

[@goeiezooiisdit]

Hey Tim, I recently found out about some strange ship tunnels in France. One is the Tunnel de Mauvages and the other the Souterrain de Riqueval. Both seem to have some sort of electrically propulsed chain guided towing ship through the tunnel. It seems very interesting and it stems from the Napoleon times,. Maybe an idea to look at those

[@sarahprunierlaw9147]

oooohhh!!

[@timeflysintheshop]

That sounds quite nice. I'll have one of those please! 😀

[@Lapantouflemagic0]

oh, seems nice ! but now should it google it myself or wait for tim to make a video ? 🤔

[@Kalvinjj]

Pretty interesting, I assume they do the whole towing process for concerns about the fumes of the propulsion systems of the ships that pass through it, and/or oxygen starvation.

[@davidwarren3764]

@@Kalvinjj originally the peniche were horse drawn and as the tunnel was built without a towpath the tugs came into being. The mauvage tunnel now doesn’t tow . The tunnel near St Quentin passes through at fixed times towing as many boats that are there. When the canal was busy with commercial traffic there could be tows of many barges. It’s a slow and very noisy trip as the tug clanks along and sparks coming of the overhead wire. Last time we went through it cost 20 euros.

[@XaviMacBash]

"right from jerry anderson series" * thunderbirds film starts playing * the detail on this channel is incredible

[@chrisdodge4462]

Great video Tim, and I love the Gerry Anderson references. One correction - we returned to the Midi in 1992, and it was already out of use then. We have visited it every third year since, but it never looked remotely operational again. As for the one at Montech, that, apparently, suffered a fire in one of the locomotives a few years back, and it's doubtful if that will ever work again either. There is however some good footage of it in the TV series 'Rick Stein's French Odyssey', which was filmed in 2004 and first broadcast a year later.

[@TheTimTraveller]

Ah cheers Chris! I did wonder about that - I think I'm still correct in saying that it was "officially" abandoned in 2001, but yes I'm sure you're right that in reality it was already out of action for several years before then. Re the Montech one, I don't want to put any spoilers in here but there are some exciting updates, which I will cover in part 2 :)

[@samwilson2926]

I’ve travelled the Canal du Midi twice. Once was in 2018 and the site looked very much as in the video, except it was warm and sunny. The other time was in 1983 and we had the experience of travelling down the water slope on what I think was its first day of operation. It was certainly very new. One of our party stood on top of our boat in his Speedos playing the bagpipes to celebrate the event. This was long before the advent of affordable video cameras so there’s no movie evidence, I’m afraid.

[@samwilson2926]

Follow-up: Wikipedia says “Trial operations commenced in May 1984.” but we were definitely there in September 1983. I know because of when our first child was born!

[@BenSenneck92]

There was no one around to shout at me 🤣🤣🤣

[@coxevents1]

Urbex Tim

[@paprycjusz7]

Similarly weird canal transportation can be found on Elbląg Canal, where ships are transported with inclined planes. And since we're talking about canals and we're around Mazury region, worth checking huge, never completed Masurian Canal with it's locks you can go inside.

[@chrismayer2788]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbl%C4%85g_Canal

[@malthuswasright]

Incline planes aren't that weird - the UK canal system had several back in the day.

[@davidburgess741]

Now, inclined planes actually worked.

[@varana]

That thing is fallen out of time in so many ways... 18th century: "Let's improve our canal using _science_ and _engineering_ !" 19th century: "Let's do that by building a giant monster machine out of steel!" 20th century: "Let's design it with rubber wheels and the aesthetics of a Volvo!"

[@GaryNumeroUno]

21st Century, let's micromanage it to a point it cannot move at all so it is safe!

[@ZGryphon]

@@GaryNumeroUno I was going to say "21st century: 'Let's abandon everything that is even slightly unusual,'" but that works too.

[@Lilljehook]

What's wrong with Volvo..

[@thomrade]

I really appreciate the thunderbird music when you did the quick cuts to the monster of montesh. I knew it reminded me of a thunderbirds vehicle

[@lpburrows]

Well done on including Occitan in the intro. Frédéric Mistral would be proud.

[@michaelboys2602]

I could not help but grin from ear to ear when I heard Rosie and Jim!!! And then kelt smiling from ear to ear when I heard all the Gerry Anderson piano jingles just fantastic!!! Great video, Tim.

[@bigbrowntau]

Tim, thank you SO much for posting this. I'm just home from a horrid shift nursing in an infectious diseases ward, and it a total delight to watch your video. Loved the Anderson references, and I'm excited to see the 2nd part!

[@sabinebogensperger1928]

Oooh!! As part of a family holiday in 1987 we took a house boat from Cap d'Agde (?) to Carcasonne and back and I vividly remember the canal staircase. I have no recollection of the water slide, though that may partly be due to the fact that my sister's and I were busy operating the lock gates, and again, and again. My sister's and I earned our keep that day 😆 A fabulous holiday - and a fabulous video from you as always. Merci!

[@eastpavilion-er6081]

Let's make a petition to build a French Falkirk Wheel there!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

THAN YOU for posting this comment. I have seen pics and vids of the Falkirk _thing,_ but I could *not* remember what it was called, nor where it was located {Scotland}.

[@gwyneddboom2579]

Surely the French would hate a British ship lift in their country?

[@jeromesnail]

There's a lot of great ouvrages on the French canals. You should visit "le plan incliné" in Arzviller in Grand Est. It bypasses a little less than 20 locks.

[@peterdepauw1692]

“A little” to the east you have the Ouvrages du Libron. A crossing between a river and the Canal in a very special way.

[@Guillaume_Iche]

During the whole video I was internally shouting "there is another one in Montech !!!!". OK, will have to wait for part 2.

[@riderstrano783]

3:33 lovely thunderbirds call, it really does look like a guest vehicle

[@Godwinsname]

Fun episode!! Reminded me of the Ronquières inclined plane and the Strépy-Thieu boat lift. Very excited to see part deux! :)

[@rabidpb]

Ronquières. That was the name I was wracking my brain for. I visited a couple of times in my youth, an impressive bit of engineering.

[@russcorbett3923]

Wow !!!!! AWESOME video and anxiously waiting for part 2 !!!

[@rodintoulouse3054]

Just discovered your channel yesterday and have gone on a binge of your videos. Your subjects are not only fun and original, but well researched and tightly packed without fillers. And then there are your script and delivery, perfect! I would watch you commenting on grass growth in real time. Great job!

[@mouflon7538]

Love the Thunderbirds/Stingray/Captain Scarlet themes in this episode. Keep it up Tim :)

[@huxleypiguk]

The UK channel Yesterday featured this in their show Abandoned Engineering. Worth looking up.

[@AtheistOrphan]

Fascinating programme. Got it series-linked.

[@stevemonkey6666]

Ooooh. I want to see part 2!

[@d22matt]

I love your videos / history lessons Tim. Every one makes me chuckle. Spot on 👍 glad to see your still able to get about (safely of course) and doing well.

[@StuartCuthbertson]

Thank you for the backing music to the second half of this. Brought back SO MANY MEMORIES

[@philippelavie107]

"Le plan incliné" in Arzviller in Moselle. A brillant pièce of engineering on a canal (there is even rails and wagons on it) And next to it you could walk along the old abandonned succession of locks. If it is not planned yet, you might be interested ;D

[@Dr.K.Wette_BE]

Idem en Belgique, le canal du centre, l'ascenseur de Strépy-Thieu, le plan incliné de Ronquières...

And there's also a tunnel!

[@barvdw]

@@Dr.K.Wette_BE Yep, was looking for a comment about Ronquières et Strépy-Thieu. Tbh, it's also a bit of a white elephant, here, too, the canal traffic hardly warrants the huge investment made, but this was still pre-federalisation, and money had to be split on a pharmacist's scale between the North and the South. When Zeebrugge was enlarged, *something* was needed in Wallonia...

[@didierjud8086]

A very nice place to travel with "house-boats" - have made it already. There are several boat-rentals in this region and a vast amount of canals to ship on. Also various special attractions like: this "bathtub", tunnels, high locks (15m hight), ...

[@didierjud8086]

...oh, I forgot, for your jurney: take 2 weeks, your bike (the bakery for your croissants is not on the canal, but a few km away in the next village), and a lot of swiss chocolate - the lock-attendants children and grandchildren love it (since the lock-attendants are not allowed to take money as "thank-you", but swiss chocolate... that is way different)

[@drjonbear7517]

Ruddy love you Tim. Glad to see you able to be out and about again!

[@tomwatts703]

I was not expecting all the Anderson references but they made me very happy

[@agypsychild]

The cliffhanger is outstanding. I want part 2.

[@RudieVissenberg]

Hi Tim, we visited the canal locks two days ago. It was wonderful weather and we walked from Béziers along the canal. While approaching the locks I saw the the giant beast and remembered this video so I could tell the story to my partner. We took pictures but did not get close, you have to be aware with monsters.... Had a great time watching the boats and see how unprepared some are when entering locks. I got respect for the staff at the locks, their patience dealing with these I-know-better-than-you people, especially at the lock in Béziers it became hilarious.

[@user-cl4ml4pj8g]

Thank you for your warm cozy channel

[@FeatherzMcG]

Tim, I say this on every video, but your musical Easter eggs are total highlight of your videos. Rosie and Jim didn't go unnoticed.

[@simonf8902]

A day on this part of the Canal du Midi is the best experience. Multiple locks, an aqueduct and great scenery.

[@cakemartyr5794]

Love your presentation style, mate. Also very informative. Many thanks for another excellent video.

[@jameswescott8912]

Yours are some of my favorite videos on youtube. Thank you!

[@nickjenkey]

Fantastic, crazy engineering, canals and a medley of Andersen-esque music. Thank you.

[@sarahprunierlaw9147]

Tim Traveler- 2022 Goals should include the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland and the Peterborough, Ontario Lift Lock! I have ridden them both! Man I love these sort of things!

[@MiniorMinority]

Quite enjoyed the rosie and Jim ditty. Very apt.

[@ColinH1973]

Very interesting Tim. Can't wait for part 2.

[@HackebeilHarry1]

Great videos Tim, really enjoy them. Hope your channel grows further as you deserve it and I want more videos :D

[@JudeFergy]

Love the editing with/right after the reveal of the second water slope. Also, new intro!

[@Beri1984]

Mr. Tim, thank you very much for your films on the South West of France! This made us go on holiday in Occitania. And we did visit Beziers today and did see this amazing machine. Which was in somewhat better shape than you filmed it in. I am just really surprised that you failed to report on the most famous train of Beziers.. the Petit Train Touristique 😉 Keep on the good and fun work and keep us entertained!

[@snorky2k521]

Nice to see he is out there making videos. It is like a little light when the clouds start breaking after a storm.

[@buergidunitz]

The musical Easter eggs in your videos are sublime! And the content is great too!

[@picsbox203]

I lived in beziers for 2 years (and on the canal du midi for 1). Always wondered what this machine was for and the slope! Thanks for the informative video 👍

[@suomiphil]

Class. Thoroughly enjoyed watching thank you. Very well put together documentary and delightful puns for good measure! 🙂

[@kassistwisted]

Thanks for continuing to do these videos even though the lockdown in France must be serious limiting your trips. Know that your work is very much appreciated. xoxo

[@andrewrobinson2565]

We went up the locks on holiday in 1979 before the lift. By the time we went back with the kids in 2002, the life was already bust. Great Anderson music.

[@wolfgangbachschwelloe1wbs905]

Thanks for the nice video. I was using the locks in both directions with a boat in the early 1990s The monster was looking much better at that time, but nevertheless was out of service. I wished to see it in operation, wondering how the construction would avoid loosing the water during travel. I also have some video shots of the sleeping monster. You helped me get more information now after 30 years. Greetings !

[@allanlewin2300]

Brilliant as always. Love all the musical Easter eggs :)

[@PrivateMemo]

Wow this is so cool. I've actually been there. We used to always go to France on holidays when I was little, and you just showed me all these nostalgic shots!

[@gordonrunsurbathon]

Excellent. I love the piano version of the Thunderbirds theme. I visited Montech ten years ago (and spent this video confused, going 'that doesn't look right...'), so am really looking forward to part 2...

[@ChristopherOdegard]

Love the bit of the Captain Scarlet theme at the end, there. Thanks!

[@peter5486]

Tried my absolute best to listen to you explaining the canal buuuut my brain was singing along to Rosie & Jim. Apart from that, bloody fantastic as always thank you very much Mr T!

[@Maddin1313]

They should have used a rack railway, like those trains that go up steep mountains.

[@richardheesterbeek293]

why a rack railway, if you have 2 slopes side by side, connecting the carages by a heavy duty rope and make sure that the one going down is slightly heavier than the one going up, than you only need to apply brakes to control the speed. consumes fairly little power (since it only needs power for braking) the water you have anyhow can create the "weight"

[@ruwo7697]

​@@richardheesterbeek293 that's how inclined plane boatlifts work, and why those were quite a bit more successful.

[@revimfadli4666]

@@richardheesterbeek293 that moment when an old technology called "funicular" outclasses an overly complicated electrical regeneration in many ways

[@Nibb31]

That's basically what they did at the Montech site (that he hinted at).

[@alxou1343]

Hahaa! I live just next to Beziers, funny to see you do a video about it! When everything is open, there's a really fascinating immersive-video-cinema kind of thing in the information office about the history of the canal that is worth checking. And the highest point on the canal between Toulouse and Beziers in the Montagne Noire is really nice as well with a dam and all the information on "how to feed water to this massive artificial river so it doesn't empty everytime you use the locks along the way." Near Carcassonne, it is worth a visit.

[@burgienl]

I was there a couple of years ago and wondered what the hell it was supposed to be. Thanks for the info!

[@russvhill2]

Over six minutes of joy to brighten a lockdown evening. Gerry Anderson promised 'anything can happen in the next half hour', so I'm going to fill the rest of the half hour with other joyful Tim vids. 👍🏻

[@MarkGould13]

I have always wondered why Beziers might be twinned with Stockport (as indeed it is). Now I understand: the locks at Fonserannes are obviously a match for the longer and higher lock flight at Marple (a reluctant part of Stockport): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marple_Lock_Flight

[@JISJ1964]

Thanks a lot for showing this to us!

[@_Encie]

I should be sleeping. Instead i fell into the rabbit hole called "The Tim Traveler". What a great channel!

[@Lapantouflemagic0]

thanks for showing us that thing. hopefully it gets restored/fixed one day

[@macloricott13]

Tim, thank you very much for this. I live in Toulouse -- when my work allows me to go home, that is -- and I am very familiar with the thing, and even more so with the Montech one. Looking forward to your next video! :-D

[@davekirwin]

Excellent, always enjoy your videos Tim. This one had me smiling all the way through with various references here and there - revelation there is another 'monster' out there (looking very much train/tram/bus like) is excellent news! Well played drumroll cymbal SFX.

[@alexmai221]

And all of a sudden, I am binge watching your channel.

[@martinsolihull86]

More Rosie and Jim music. I like it.

[@rowgli]

I hated Rosie and Jim as a child, but now it has me pining for what seemed like a more wholesome time

[@justinator123]

Hearing the Rosie and Jim theme triggered a memory I didn't realise I had. Very subtle.

[@Michaelsmith21588]

Impressive vehicle and piece of engineering. Thanks for showing us.

[@gaz11h]

Love your videos always interesting and with this one 2 favorite things Gerry Anderson and Canals cheers Tim

[@LadyLexyStarwatcher]

"There was no one around to shout at me" Lolz! Stay safe out there Tim!

[@DEtchells]

Brilliant! I absolutely *love* your stuff! 👍👍👍

[@JMJoubert]

Warm and fuzzies returning, thanks to you and your videos being able to return to a sort of pre-covid energy and ambience.

[@imightbebiased9311]

"You're telling me there's another one of these?!" Sounds like Tim's gonna have to do some...travelling.

[@nomadMik]

I like the new opening credit sequence. I love the piano Thunderbirds theme. 😁

[@johnfenn3188]

Another brilliant and witty video! Thanks.

[@ronaldl9085]

great video! keep it up, Tim!

[@RobSchofield]

Excellent - and great music choices 😀

[@ryshow9118]

To be continued is my favorite thing to see on your videos ☺️

[@stevebendelack3935]

I really enjoyed a trip down memory lane,i worked on a barge summer1980,and we went on the slope.An amazing monster contraption!

[@piccalillipit9211]

*I HAVE SAILED THROUGH THESE LOCKS* as well as about 300 others across France - one of the best times of my life...

[@felixcat9318]

This interesting, informative and entertaining video merits respect. Subscribed.

[@alexthorpe2522]

Your cheeky cover music is always appreciated but I loved them in this episode

[@Vespuchian]

I see your Canal Du Midi Monster and raise you a Big Chute Marine Railway, aka Lock 44 on the Trent-Severn Waterway. Still works, still runs in the summer, and solved the whole strange powerplant issues by operating as a giant cable car. Good fun to watch if you're bored in Ontario and allowed out of the house.

[@TheDiveO]

The "bonne année" shot without any comment ... priceless!

[@efoxxok7478]

We did the canal from Carccassonne to Agde in 2013. Most wonderful vacation ever. Rented a canal boat for a week and made our way through some of the most beautiful areas of south France.

[@axelhejnebo9142]

Really interesting piece of engineering, I have actually read about the other one in a railway-magazine but it will be interesting to hear the story about it nonetheless!

[@jamiehughes8725]

Loving the Rosie & Jim tune x

[@Trainviking]

Yet another great video :), can't wait fot part 2 :)

[@FrauWNiemand]

New Intro. OMG! And the transporter vehicle is really impressive. . . . (This reminds me that I owe Tim a canal video of Leipzig, geez, I really have to do my homework.)

[@70M80]

Tim, great new intro! The water puns made me groan but I guess I can let it slide

[@BYin541]

I always look forward to your videos! I hope you put out a printed travel guide!