Foxton

We have been through Foxton many times but in recent years we have rarely stopped to look at the inclined plane. Locking always appears to take priority.

Top Lock with Keb

 

Working up the flight with CRT Volunteer

 

Sculpture of boy and 'orse

 

Entering a lock on the staircase

 

However on Monday we visited Debdale Wharf by car to discuss having some work done on Albert - blacking. It was a glorious early spring's (late winter's) morning so we stopped off at Foxton and visited the inclined plane and its museum. We used to visit Foxton in the 1970s when living in Loughborough so the changes we have seen over the years have been great. The new access road, car parking and signage all make it quite different from the times we spent searching in the undergrowth for evidence of the plane.

It was also helpful that I had recently read the new book by David Carden which tells the tale of both the plane and its designer Gordon Thomas.

 Top of the inclined planes showing the devices for compensating for buoyancy

 

Twin rails to compensate for buoyancy as the lower caisson enters the water



View down the plane to the lower basin

 

 

The museum is small but interesting. The one exhibit that caught my eye was the genuine tunnel lamp complete with side windows to illuminate the legging boards. A bit different from today's lamps! They also had a good collection of old Buckby Cans. 

 



Tunnel lamp complete with side windows and a legging board