Deep underneath Tower Bridge lies an enormous cathedral sized house that just about appears bigger than it may be, and through the winter months, the general public can go inside for a glance.
Tower Bridge bascule chamber (c) ianVisits
That is considered one of two massive bascule chambers and is mainly the place the heavy counterweight swings into when the bridge opens to let boats cross by means of. However not while you’re standing in it — and that’s why excursions happen through the winter, when fewer boats ply the Thames.
Tower Bridge provides these two-hour excursions, which embody the areas seen by the general public on a standard tour, however with your personal information taking you round after which, midway by means of, a detour right into a room not visited by the general public.
Firstly, into considered one of two management cabins. Whereas one is fashionable and controls all the things, this one has been retained in its unique Victorian design and was in use proper as much as the Nineteen Seventies.
And sure, these are railway sign levers used to regulate the mechanism, and sure, there’s a correct railway signalling interlock mechanism beneath, though you don’t get to see that bit.
What you do see, although, is the basement the place the trendy engines sit subsequent to their Victorian predecessors.
The fashionable engine room (c) ianVisits
The tour information will examine that vast field with this new tiny widget that does the identical job or clarify how that small button has changed that vast lever, and so forth.
However you’re right here to see the bascule chamber, and so it’s time to go down, deep down, under the river stage.
First previous the big massive house the place outdated hydraulic accumulators are nonetheless in situ.
The Victorian acumulator weights (c) ianVisits
Then by means of a slim hall
(c) ianVisits
And at last, and also you gained’t be capable of keep away from a little bit of a wow while you stroll into the chamber.
The bascule chamber (c) ianVisits
After a while within the chamber and again as much as the daylight once more, the tour finishes with the remainder of the general public areas contained in the outdated steam engine rooms to see these in motion.
The excursions final about 2 hours and can be found most weekends from November by means of March.
Tickets value £75 per grownup and are on sale now from right here.
A tip when visiting – put on layers because it’s chilly and damp down within the chamber – and most definitely put on stable footwear with good soles to stroll over the damp bricks and on the steps.
The unique steam engines (c) ianVisits
This text was printed on ianVisits
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