By now the lock with the two ships was nearly drained the the front gates were getting ready to open. The locomotives, meanwhile, pulled the loaded ship completely into the other lock, to be able to close the gate behind it..
Panama City 2015
Miraflores
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By now the lock with the two ships was nearly drained the the front gates were getting ready to open. The locomotives, meanwhile, pulled the loaded ship completely into the other lock, to be able to close the gate behind it.. |
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When the proper level was reached, the passenger ship and its waving tourists were heading toward the front gate. |
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Then, with the way cleared, the locomotives went to work. Those are the same locomotives that were originally put to work here, a hundred years ago. Diligent maintenance is keeping them operational |
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The red ship is now in position, while the ship in the foreground is leaving the lock |
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And as soon as the front lock was vacated, the weight of the second ship assisted in filling the front lock back up, while it was being lowered to the next level down. This way the water in each lock can be used twice. The water comes from a lake that is the highest point of the passage, hence the locks to allow the ships to step up to the level of the lake, and then back down to sea level. |
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Then it was selfie time |
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And there you have it. Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal, since AD 1913 |
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After a very slow start, a dramatic finish, and a fantastic day, in spite of hazy conditions. |
3D