Smiths Falls Ontario is the location of a Scherzer
Rolling Lift Bridge.  This bridge was built as part
of the Canadian Norther Railway's transcontinental
expansion in 1914 and was built across the Rideau
Canal.  In 1985 it was designated as a National
Historic Site.

When installed the bridge was equipped with a direct current
motor for raising and lowering the bridge and power was
supplied by the town's electric company.  In the
early 1920's the town changed to an alternating current
distribution and the bridge was operated using a hand
crank until abandonment in 1979.  In the later years the
line had traffic only at night so the bridge would be
left raised during the day so that canal traffic could
pass freely.  During the winter season the bridge was left
down.

The Scherzer design lifts the bridges by means of extending
the bridge girders into a quadrant shape at one end.  When
the bridge is lifted it rolls on these quadrants, lifting
the bridge.  By doing this the bridge does not require a
"hinge pin" to support the fixed end of the bridge.  In
addition the bridge actually moves away from the waterway
as it lifts up, increasing the clearance.

I am seeking further information on this type of drawbridge,
including locations of other Scherzer briges.


Robert Vaughan
Smiths Falls Railway Museum
--
Robert L. Vaughan
[log in to unmask]
Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~bk681/index.html