This Canal System Runs Boats on Train Tracks

(Photo: Henryk Borawski)

The 51-mile Elblag Canal stretches across 6 lakes from the Polish cities of Elblag to Ostróda. One 6-mile section includes an elevation difference of 326 feet, which is more than conventional locks could adjust for when the canal was built in the middle of the Nineteenth Century.

So Georg Jacob Steenke, the engineer in charge of the project, developed a novel solution. To cross the steep section of the canal, boats slip onto converted railroad cars, which are then pulled across the land to the next lake.

Although the Elblag Canal is no longer in commercial use, it's actively used by recreational boaters and tourists. It's the only canal of this type still in use in the world.

-via The Presurfer

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They mention the competition, AEI. It was my second job after leaving college. AEI made what we called foreground music. Same principal as Muzak but with real songs and real artists instead of insipid remakes. we did so well we forced Muzak to change their format, thank you very much :) Last I heard AEI got bought by a satellite service. My first job was Tower records. I kind of miss working for Tower. though the pay sucked eggs. lol. Several 80's and 90's local Seattle musicians worked for Muzak while starting their career such as Amy Denio who is still going strong. that is what I was doing when I worked for AEI. but I don't play professionally anymore. I am an old fart now. hehe

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Reminded me of when I heard a Muzak version of a Rolling Stones tune. Such weirdness.

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